[Taboleo] Small but Deep-Hearted... The All-New Tucson Gasoline

Contracted Last Year and Received After 7 Months
Still Takes 6-7 Months Due to Semiconductor Shortage

Indoor Space Larger Than Previous Generation
Enough for 2 People Even with Mattress Installed
Disappointed by Low Display and Touch Buttons

A photo sent by a Hyundai car master (salesperson) when the current The All New Tucson Gasoline Inspiration vehicle was delivered. Due to the semiconductor supply shortage, the delivery waiting period is still 6 to 7 months. The All New Tucson features wing-shaped daytime running lights on both sides of the front grille that light up when the engine is started.

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] As the craze for car camping and "chacnic" (car + picnic) grows, the popularity of sports utility vehicles (SUVs), which offer high space utilization, is heating up day by day. Reflecting the popularity of SUVs, the sales volume of SUVs (397,000 units) in South Korea surpassed that of passenger cars (383,000 units) for the first time in the first half of this year. The perception that SUVs are cars for dads is disappearing, and the growth of the compact SUV market favored by the MZ generation is remarkable. The best-selling compact SUV in South Korea this year is Hyundai's The All-New Tucson (32,363 units, including Tucson N Line).

Amid the prolonged shortage of automotive semiconductors, the Tucson is also famous for having the longest delivery waiting period among cars produced in South Korea. I also received delivery of the All-New Tucson gasoline Inspiration AWD model, which I contracted in December last year, after about seven months, and have driven 2,600 km over two months.

- This model is priced in the mid-30 million KRW range. Was there a particular reason for choosing the Tucson gasoline model among vehicles in the same price range?

▲ I prioritized practicality and design over ride comfort and speed. While considering purchasing an SUV rather than a sedan, the new Tucson was released. Due to its wider interior space and completely changed exterior compared to the previous generation, I thought it would be sufficiently satisfying as a compact SUV rather than a midsize. Although the hybrid model had better fuel efficiency than the gasoline model, my driving distance was not long, and the vehicle price was about 2 million KRW higher than the gasoline model. Also, considering car camping, I thought it better to choose the gasoline model with a second-row full-flat (completely flat) seat.

- I heard that due to semiconductor issues, the Tucson takes a long time to be delivered. How long did it take?

▲ That's right. I contracted in mid-December last year, around the time the automotive semiconductor problem began. The vehicle was delivered in July this year. In terms of seasons, I contracted in winter and received the car after spring passed and summer arrived. The semiconductor shortage has continued until now, so the situation is not much different from when I contracted. If you contract this month, it takes more than 6 to 7 months for gasoline and diesel Inspiration models. For hybrid models, delivery also takes about 6 months.

- The Tucson attracted attention with its unique design from the beginning. Won't it get boring quickly?

▲ The biggest design elements of the Tucson are the wing-shaped daytime running lights on both sides of the front grille that light up when the engine starts, and the straight-line side profile. When I first purchased the car, I liked this unique design but thought it might get boring. At first, when seeing it parked, it felt different from other cars. However, recently, as more Tucson vehicles run on the road and Hyundai unveiled the pickup truck Santa Cruz with a similar design in the U.S., I now think it is a more beautiful point. Personally, I chose the exterior color Titan Gray, but other colors like Amazon Gray, Black, and White are also popular without much controversy.

- How about the interior design and space?

▲ One of the most satisfying elements while driving is the interior. I chose the Gray Moss interior color. Although the exterior is dark, the interior is bright, creating a good harmony. The leather is not coated, but it has not stained much, which is impressive. Earlier this year, some consumers posted complaints online about seats wrinkling in some early production batches. After receiving the vehicle, I drove several times with the heated seats on for a long time, but there have been no major issues so far. Some fabric materials are used on the door and cluster areas, but dust tends to accumulate there, so I thought it might be better to change to suede material in future models. Also, glossy black high-gloss finishes are applied in various places, giving a shiny look but requiring maintenance due to fingerprints.

The interior space is sufficiently spacious, with no shortage for car camping or carrying lots of luggage. The overall length increased by 150 mm to 4,630 mm compared to the previous model, and the wheelbase lengthened by 85 mm to 2,755 mm. The second-row legroom also increased by 80 mm to 1,050 mm, so family members sitting in the back said they were comfortable. When folding the second-row seats completely flat, I, at 180 cm tall, can lie down comfortably, and with a mattress installed, two people can enjoy car camping easily.

- How are the driving performance and fuel efficiency?

▲ The gasoline model is equipped with a Smartstream gasoline 1.6 turbo engine, producing a maximum output of 180 ps and maximum torque of 27.0 kgf·m, so I did not feel lacking even on highways. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) installed this time is improved compared to the previous DCT, but there is still slight delay or shuddering during acceleration or shifting. The combined fuel efficiency of the Tucson gasoline model is 12.5 km/L. In reality, even when driving in eco mode, it shows about 15 km/L on highways and 7 to 8 km/L in city driving.

- Were there any disappointing points while driving the Tucson?

▲ Overall, I am satisfied, but there are a few disappointing points. The biggest is that the center display is located too low. Recently released vehicles usually place the display close to the driver's line of sight so they can keep their eyes on the road while driving. However, the Tucson's center display is unusually low, requiring the driver to lower their gaze, which could be dangerous for beginners. The air conditioning and media control buttons below the display are touch-sensitive, so you have to look to see if they are working, which is somewhat inconvenient. Despite the low center display, the absence of a head-up display (HUD) is very disappointing. For driving convenience and safety, it should be reflected in the next model year update or facelift.

- How does it compare to the Tucson N Line released in July?

▲ There are slight design differences, but the Tucson N Line has the same powertrain as the regular Tucson, so driving performance is the same. The high-performance N parts, such as lightweight wheels and monoblock brakes, are available as options to improve design and braking power. However, the price difference can be up to 5 million KRW. For drivers who prioritize practicality, The All-New Tucson remains a good choice.

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