In its fourth generation now, the Hyundai Tucson ups the ante in the premium mid-size SUV segment
Launched in India at a starting price of Rs 27.70 lakh (ex-showroom), the fourth-generation Hyundai Tucson has heralded a new era in the world of premium mid-size SUVs. In fact, such has been the impact of its arrival that it already commands a waiting period of 10 months! Much of this is thanks to the avant-garde aesthetics, tech-laden cabin, and powerful engine options that make the new SUV a force to reckon with. While the SUV-buying lot is already all praise for the new flagship, not many are aware of the fact that the India-spec new Hyundai Tucson is a tad more competent than the version sold abroad. Not just that, it even outclasses some costlier vehicles from a few segments above. Surprised? Allow us to elaborate.
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Dimensions
The fourth-generation Hyundai Tucson is offered in two-wheelbase lengths for different markets. Now, most carmakers are prone to bringing the less premium, cut-price versions of their international offerings to our market. Hyundai, though, has decided to buck the trend. The India-spec Tucson is the longer wheelbase version, which is something that is not marketed in most regions inside Europe, the Middle East, and South America. To put things in perspective, the Tucson on sale in Europe has a wheelbase of 2679.9 mm but the Indian version enjoys a wheelbase of 2,755 mm.
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What’s more, the latest Tucson is substantially longer than not just its immediate rivals but even many luxury-segment offerings. Its wheelbase is even longer than that of the BMW X1 (2,670 mm), Audi Q2 (2,593 mm) and Volvo XC40 (2,702 mm). This has led to a more spacious cabin and even endowed the SUV with higher street cred, thereby enabling the new Tucson come across as a true-blue SUV with a great road presence.
Standard Features
Hyundai Motor India has long made a name for kitting out its cars with cutting-edge segment-first features. No surprise, then, that the new Hyundai Tucson pushes the envelope with the equipment on offer. Right from the BlueLink connected suite and the rather upmarket HD 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment unit to segment-first Level-2 ADAS, Hyundai’s new flagship is absolutely brimming with features. Of course, this gives it a clear upper hand over the competition but it even makes the Indian version a far more feature-laden model than what’s on sale abroad. Make no mistake, the international-spec Tucson is a fairly loaded car but what sets our version apart is the fact that all the goodies are a part of the standard equipment list. For instance, the entry-level US-spec Tucson misses out on all the special bits like the stunning hidden DRLs, rain-sensing wipers, panoramic sunroof, 8-way power driver seat, et al.
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Another pleasant surprise comes from the fact that the new Tucson comes with more goodies than luxury-segment offerings like the BMW X1, Volvo XC40 and Audi Q2. In spite of being priced lower than the aforementioned offerings, the new Tucson brings in many more comfort- and safety-enhancing features. The flagship Hyundai SUV offers exclusivity through over 60 BlueLink connectivity features, a bigger touchscreen infotainment unit, customizable instrument cluster, ventilated seats and more. And then, there’s the Level 2 ADAS that makes the new SUV a safer option not just for the occupants but even for other road users. Well, trust Hyundai Motor India to completely meet all the expectations of the premium clientele and then some!
Powerful Diesel Option
What’s an SUV without a powerful diesel engine that offers gut-wrenching torque, right? Well, you’ll be surprised to know that the latest Tucson on sale in the UK, as well as the USA, misses out on a diesel engine option. Well, blame the market dynamics and/or the policymakers but what’s heartening is that the Indian car buyer can opt for any of the two portent engine options available on the new Tucson – Nu 2.0-litre petrol and R 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel. The latter, in fact, offers segment-leading performance figures of 186 PS and 416 Nm (16 Nm more than BMW X1 sDrive20d, 94 Nm more than Audi Q2 and 116 Nm more than Volvo XC40). It even comes mated to a world-class 8-speed automatic transmission. And if all this isn’t enough to tickle your SUV taste buds, the new SUV even offers a highly capable HTRAC All-Wheel Drive system. On the other, this torquey diesel option remains conspicuous by its absence in the western markets.
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Summing it up, Hyundai Motor India has once again shown its commitment to the Indian consumer by bringing in a world-class offering that far exceeds the expectations of the car buying lot. And much of this is simply due to the carmaker’s understanding of the market needs and its knack for setting new benchmarks.
