2022 Hyundai Tucson Review: Diesel

Operating in one of the fiercest segments in the Australian new car market, the Hyundai Tucson competes with more than a dozen big players in the midsize SUV segment. The Gen Outlander, the soon-to-be-revamped Nissan X-Trail, Subaru's ever-popular Forester, and the class-leading Toyota RAV5 elephant.

The era of automotive electrification continues, but the turbodiesel remains popular among buyers in this class. Therefore, we decided to look at this family pet only in a diesel guise.

Hyundai Tucson 2022: (front wheel drive)
Safety Rating
engine's type	2.0L
fuel type	Regular unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	8.1l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$34,900

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10

The entry point to the Tucson lineup of three models is only available with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, so here we'll focus on the mid-range Elite diesel ($45,000 before road expenses) and the top-tier Highlander diesel ($52,000 BOC). Both are available with the N Line Sport Options Package, adding to the price of $2000 and $1000 respectively.

To keep up with the Joneses midsize SUVs and satisfy buyers who spend "about" $50k on a set of wheels, the Tucson needs a long list of features beyond safety and performance tech, which will be covered later in this review.

Elite trim includes keyless entry and start (including remote start), sat-nav (with real-time traffic updates), 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen, six-speaker audio system (including wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility and digital radio) ). leather seats, shifter and steering wheel, 10-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, rear privacy glass, heated exterior mirrors with auto folding, 18" alloy wheels, automatic rain sensor wipers, 4.2 - inch digital screen in the instrument cluster and dual-zone climate control.  

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range. (Image: James Cleary)

Check the box for the Elite N Line version and you get LED headlights, DRLs and taillights (with a black tint), 19-inch wheels, high beam assist, suede and leather seats, all black. fabric headlining, as well as an ultra-sleek customizable 10.25-inch dash screen and N Line cosmetic tweaks.

Step up to the Highlander, and in addition to the Elite specification, you can add an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, eight-way power front passenger seat adjustment (plus driver-accessible shift and tilt adjustment), ventilated front seats. , heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, panoramic glass sunroof (with power sunblind), power tailgate, electrochromic interior mirror and ambient lighting.

For the Highlander, the N Line package is 50% cheaper because it already includes things like 19-inch alloy wheels and a clever digital instrument display.

It's class-competitive, but not exactly best-in-class specification. For example, the top-of-the-line RAV4 Edge costs a few thousand dollars less than the Tucson Higlander and is capitalized L Loaded.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

While the Tucson's silhouette follows a distinctly recognizable midsize SUV template, the design details inside it are distinctly different.

The multi-faceted grille is paired with sectional, angular headlight clusters on either side and sits above the curved top of the secondary air intake below. There is nothing like it in this segment or on the market as a whole.

The side of the car is segmented by distinct creases running at an angle through the front and rear doors, highlighting how they are pulled inward along their lower edges.

There is nothing like it in this segment or on the market as a whole. (Image: James Cleary)

Our Elite test car's 18-inch alloy wheels are 'busy' in a frenetic cubist painting style, while the geometric theme continues at the rear with jagged taillights adding visual interest to the usual rear end treatment. 

Available colors are on the "muted" side: "Titan Grey", "Deep Sea" (blue), "Phantom Black", "Shimmering Silver", "Amazon Grey" and "White Cream".

Inside, the exterior is clean and simple, with a two-tiered top of the instrument panel fading into a large central media screen and ventilation control panel. A pair of chrome "rails" define the top level as well as air vents that curve and continue into the front doors. 

The interior palette is predominantly gray with gloss black accents and brushed metal inserts, while the leather-wrapped seats are fuss-free and the metal accents in the detailing contribute to the overall relaxed and high-quality feel.

The side of the car is divided by distinct creases running at an angle through the front and rear doors. (Image: James Cleary)

How practical is the interior space? 9/10

At just over 4.6m long, just under 1.9m wide and about 1.7m high, the Tucson occupies its rightful place in the midsize SUV class.

The space efficiency at the front impresses with the simple design of the instrument panel and the forward-leaning center console, which creates an open feeling. For my height of 183 cm, there is enough headroom, and there is plenty of storage space.

The center console has a pair of cup holders, a tray with a Qi wireless charging pad in front of the gear buttons, a bin/armrest between the seats, large door pockets with space for bottles, and a decent glove box.

The space efficiency at the front impresses with the simple design of the instrument panel and the forward-leaning center console, which creates an open feeling. (Image: James Cleary)

Move back and the legroom is impressive. Sitting in the driver's seat set for my position, I enjoyed plenty of headroom and enough shoulder room to allow three adults in the back seat to comfortably make medium-haul trips.

The inclusion of dual adjustable air vents is a plus, and storage space can be found in a pair of cup holders in the fold-down center armrest, deep door bottle holders, and map pockets on the front seat backs.

Power and connectivity options include two USB-A ports on the front (one for media, one for charging only) and two more (for charging only) on the back. 12V socket in the front console and another in the trunk. 

Move back and the legroom is impressive. (Image: James Cleary)

Speaking of which, the critical boot volume measurement is 539 liters (VDA) with the rear seat upright and at least 1860 liters with the 60/40 split folding backrest.

A thoughtful addition are the rear seat remote release handles on both sides of the cargo area.

We were able to meet Cars Guide a set of three suitcases and a bulky foldable baby stroller with extra room. Mounting anchors and bag hooks are included, and a full-size alloy spare is located under the boot floor. Good. 

If towing is on your priority list, the Tucson diesel is rated at 1900kg for a trailer with brakes and 750kg without brakes, and a "trailer stabilization system" is standard.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

Tucson diesel models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder common-rail direct-injection turbo engine. The all-alloy (D4HD) design is part of Hyundai's Smartstream engine family, delivering 137kW at 4000rpm and 416Nm at 2000-2750rpm. 

An eight-speed (traditional torque converter) automatic transmission sends power to Hyundai's HTRAC all-wheel drive system on demand, a multi-mode setup built on a variable torque split electronic clutch (using input such as a vehicle). speed and road conditions) to control the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles.

Tucson diesel models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder common-rail direct-injection turbo engine. (Image: James Cleary)

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How much fuel does it consume? 8/10

Hyundai's official fuel economy figure for the Tucson diesel engine, according to ADR 81/02 - urban and extra-urban, is 6.3 l/100 km, while the 2.0-liter four emits 163 g/km of CO02.

In city, suburban and freeway driving, we saw that in the real world (at a gas station) the average consumption is 8.0 l / 100 km, which is very convenient for a car of this size and weight (1680 kg).

You'll need 54 liters of diesel to fill the tank, which means a range of 857 km using Hyundai's official economic number, and 675 km based on our "as tested" figure.

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10

It's time to buckle up (literally) because Hyundai is giving a serious safety crack in the current Tucson. Although the car has not been rated by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, it is loaded with active and passive technology and is sure to get the maximum five-star score.

Designed to help you avoid a collision, Hyundai's "SmartSense" active safety package includes lane keeping assist and "forward collision avoidance assistance" (Hyundai speaks for AEB), including detection of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists with "turn on crossroads." function.

When vehicles are detected, the system issues a warning in the range of 10–180 km/h and applies full braking in the range of 10–85 km/h. For pedestrians and cyclists, the thresholds are 10-85 km/h and 10-65 km/h respectively. 

But the list goes on with "Smart Speed ​​Limit System", "Driver Attention Warning", adaptive cruise control (with stop and go), reversing camera (with dynamic guidance), rear cross traffic alert and a tire pressure monitoring system. .

Front and rear parking warning is standard on all Tucson diesel vehicles. 

Some features, such as "Remote Smart Parking Assistance", "Surround View Monitor" and blind spot monitoring, are only included in the top-end Highlander (diesel).

But if an impact is unavoidable, there are seven airbags on board (front, front side (thorax), curtain and front center side).

The rear seat has three points of the top tether with ISOFIX anchorages at the two extreme points.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10

Hyundai covers the Tucson with a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, and the iCare program includes a "Lifetime Service Plan" as well as 12-month 24/XNUMX roadside assistance and an annual sat-nav map update (the latter two are updated free of charge). - annually, up to XNUMX years, if the car is serviced by an authorized Hyundai dealer).

Maintenance is scheduled every 12 months/15,000 km (whichever comes first) and there's also a prepaid option, which means you can lock in prices and/or include maintenance costs in your financial package.

Hyundai covers the Tucson with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. (Image: James Cleary)

First service is free (one month/1500km recommended), and the Hyundai Australia website allows owners to set maintenance prices up to 34 years/510,000km.

Over a slightly shorter period of time, servicing a Tucson diesel engine will currently cost you $375 for each of the first five years, which is the average for this segment. 

What is it like to drive? 7/10

A maximum output of 137kW for a roughly 1.7-ton SUV might not sound like much, but the Tucson diesel engine's massive torque makes this machine come to life.

Peak tractive effort of 416 Nm is available from 2000-2750 rpm, and this five-seater gets up and goes. You can expect 0-100 km/h in the top range in 9.0 seconds, and breaking through the mid-range makes the diesel Tucson an easy proposition for city and suburban driving. The eight gear ratios in the car mean that motorway traffic is also relaxed. 

The downside of a diesel is invariably engine noise, and while the Tucson's 2.0-litre unit rarely lets you forget about it, it's not all that much.

On smooth surfaces, the ride is quite soft, but usually rough suburban roads make themselves felt. (Image: James Cleary)

While the automatic is smooth and shifts well, I'm not a fan of the console's electronic shift buttons.

Yes, it saves space, and yes, Ferrari does it, but there's something about the ability to simply slide or flip a more traditional switch that makes parking or three-point turn maneuvers smoother and less intense than pushing individual buttons.

The suspension is a strut in front, a multi-link in the back, and, unlike most Hyundais that we have produced in recent years, this car has a “global” mode, and not developed in local conditions.

Although the automatic is smooth and shifts well, I'm not a fan of the console's electronic shift buttons. (Image: James Cleary)

On smooth surfaces, the ride is quite soft, but usually rough suburban roads make themselves felt. However, the car feels stable and manageable through corners, although the steering feels a bit too light and the road feel is just okay. .

We stuck with bitumen for this test, but those who love light off-road work will have Hyundai's "Multi-terrain" system at their disposal, with suggested Snow, Mud, and Sand settings.

All-round visibility is good, the seats remain comfortable and supportive over long distances, and the brakes (305mm ventilated discs up front and 300mm solid discs in the rear) are nice and progressive.

The large media screen looks slick and is well presented in terms of navigation, although I would have preferred physical dials for basic controls like audio volume. But you may feel differently.

Verdict

A well-packed and ultra-practical Hyundai Tucson diesel engine delivers high performance. Throw in excellent safety, solid economy plus a good ownership package and it looks even better. The cost equation could be sharper and the sophistication more polished, and it might take some time to get used to its distinctive design. But the Tucson diesel is a quality midsize SUV option.