[Taboleo] Run at Sunrise, Car Camping at Sunset... Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

Wing-shaped grille with side straight line 'Full Change'
Increased family car appeal with mid-size wheelbase
Expanded cargo space... Enough to enjoy 'Chabak' camping

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] There is a global boom in eco-friendly vehicles. Until now, we occasionally noticed eco-friendly cars on the road and felt that the era of eco-friendly vehicles was gradually approaching. However, this year, with the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the election of U.S. President Joe Biden prioritizing eco-friendly policies, it feels like the era of eco-friendly vehicles is already upon us. Perhaps because of this, the number of people considering purchasing eco-friendly cars has increased significantly recently. In particular, hybrid vehicles are quite popular among drivers who are still cautious about electric cars.

However, one concern is the limited variety of models. In the domestic eco-friendly car market, which mostly consisted of sedans or small-sized sport utility vehicles (SUVs), Hyundai has finally introduced a hybrid model of the compact SUV 'Tucson.' We test-drove the newly added 1.6 turbo hybrid model of the 4th generation new Tucson to explore its appeal.

The All-New Tucson (Photo by Hyundai Motor Company)

The All-New Tucson (Photo by Hyundai Motor Company)

The design has changed drastically. How does it look in person?

▲The 4th generation new Tucson’s design has changed so much that right after its unveiling, many reacted with "Is this really a Tucson?" The front, side, and rear have all been completely redesigned. The front features a 'Parametric Jewel Pattern Grille' that shines three-dimensionally depending on the light. Especially, the lights on both sides of the grille turn on as daytime running lights when the engine starts, and their wing-shaped appearance has become the most eye-catching aspect of this Tucson’s exterior.

The side profile is also striking. Unlike recent design trends dominated by curves, it mainly features straight lines. In person, it looks sleek and three-dimensional rather than overly bold as it might appear in photos. A chrome trim along the roofline on the side adds a distinctive point. This chrome trim emphasizes a coupe-like image by sloping downward toward the rear.

The All-New Tucson (Photo by Hyundai Motor Company)

New Tucson (Photo by Hyundai Motor Company)

The interior looks neat.

▲While the exterior has caused a big stir, the changes to the new Tucson’s interior have not received as much attention. In fact, Hyundai has made significant updates to the interior as well. First, a 10.25-inch cluster is installed without a cover, providing an excellent sense of openness from the driver’s seat. The open cluster allows the driver to secure a forward view similar to that of the passenger seat. The openness is so pronounced that it is somewhat regrettable that a head-up display (HUD) is not applied in front of the driver’s seat. The silver garnish line starting from both sides of the center fascia extends through slim air vents to the door trims, creating a sense of space that feels larger than it actually is.

New Tucson (Photo by Hyundai Motor Company)

The center fascia display looks very large.

▲Yes. Another feature of the new Tucson is the application of a full-touch center fascia. It looks like a large tablet PC positioned right in the center. The 10.25-inch infotainment system and touch-type climate control are integrated into a single screen, contributing to a simple yet sophisticated interior design.

However, because the center fascia also includes navigation, there is a slight inconvenience. While driving, you have to frequently shift your gaze forward and to the lower right to check directions. Both the instrument cluster and infotainment screen appear to be positioned slightly lower than in other vehicles. Aside from the change to a touch interface, the system configuration is not much different from other Hyundai models. Still, you should be aware of the chronic issue with touch systems: it is difficult to locate buttons by feel alone, so you tend to look away from the road more often while driving.

As a compact model, I wonder if it is suitable as a family car. Is the interior space ample?

▲The 4th generation Tucson has grown significantly larger than the previous model. It is even comparable in size to the Santa Fe, a class above, which was released slightly earlier. The new Tucson, built on the 3rd generation new platform, measures 4630mm in length, 1865mm in width, 1665mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2755mm. It is 150mm longer than the previous generation, with the wheelbase ? which determines interior space ? extended by 85mm. The difference in wheelbase from the mid-size Santa Fe (2765mm) is only 10mm, so its appeal as a family car has definitely increased.

'2nd Row Fold & Dive' Applied to Gasoline and Diesel Models (Photo by Hyundai Motor Company)

Is the popular 'car camping' (cha-bak) possible?

▲Hyundai seems to be targeting car camping demand with this Tucson. The TV commercial even shows scenes of lying down inside the new Tucson to watch movies or read books. In addition to the significantly larger body, the '2nd-row Fold & Dive' function allows the seats to fold more deeply than before. However, this feature is omitted in the hybrid model because the battery is installed under the 2nd-row seats. The cargo space is 622 liters, expanding to 1095 liters when the 2nd-row seats are folded, which is more than sufficient.

How about driving performance and fuel efficiency?

▲Since this is the first hybrid model of the Tucson, there is much interest in the powertrain configuration. The new Tucson is equipped with a Smartstream 1.6 turbo hybrid engine that delivers a maximum output of 180 horsepower and maximum torque of 27 kgf·m. This is the most powerful engine among Hyundai’s hybrid models to date. Combined with a 6-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor, the system produces a total maximum output of 230 horsepower. This is the same output as the hybrid model of the Kia Sorento, a class above, so there is no disappointment in power.

Driving in EV mode at low speeds is smooth and noiseless, and the vehicle accelerates without hesitation even at high speeds above 100 km/h. The vehicle remains stable when entering corners at high speed. Most notably, the typical hybrid sensation of discomfort when the engine engages while driving on the electric motor is barely noticeable, resulting in a highly satisfying driving experience. The ride comfort is excellent in most situations, such as driving over rough roads or accelerating quickly, which deserves special praise. However, while the new Tucson offers clean and stable driving, its overall driving feel is far from sporty, which is a point to consider. After driving an 80 km round trip from Giheung to Icheon in Gyeonggi Province, the recorded fuel efficiency was 18.6 km/l.

The All-New Tucson (Photo by Hyundai Motor Company)

I am also curious about the price.

▲Overall, the new Tucson can be evaluated as having upgraded versatility compared to before. It is suitable as a personal vehicle for enjoying car camping trips to the countryside, as well as a family car for daily use with children. The increased size combined with the power, fuel efficiency, and ride comfort of the hybrid model makes it a vehicle that can satisfy various lifestyles. The price ranges are 24.35 million to 31.55 million KRW for gasoline models, 26.26 million to 33.46 million KRW for diesel models, and for the hybrid model we test-drove, 28.57 million to 34.67 million KRW, which is up to 4.22 million KRW higher than the gasoline model of the same trim.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.