Road test: Hyundai Tucson 1.6 CRDI 136 CV 4x4 DCT, the segment leader (2021)

The Hyundai Tucson was already a best seller in the SUV segment, but with this new generation the Korean brand has wanted to put all of its best know-how into creating a vehicle that, without a doubt, will be one of the segment leaders.

This is our analysis and opinion of the new 2021 Hyundai Tucson, which we tested with the 1.6 CRDI 136 CV diesel engine, combined with 4×4 drive and the DCT dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Design: powerful exterior and spacious interior

The most striking thing about the 2021 Tucson is its exterior design: it doesn’t leave you indifferent, and its lines make it a truly eye-catching car. Irregular, geometric shapes and few curves are the basis of this new generation.

The front end stands out for the huge grille that integrates the LED light cluster (and when I say cluster I’m not exaggerating, because there are five LED lights on each side in total, which act as daytime running lights and sidelights). The main headlights (also LED for all lighting functions) sit in a lower position.

In profile the irregular lines take over the design, with straight, very pronounced wheel arches, as well as the line that begins at the boot and extends to the front doors. Seeing this design on a “road-going” vehicle is unusual, being more typical of “concept cars“. The alloy wheels on our car are 19 inches, standard on the Style trim.

At the rear, once again the shapes are surprising, with the lights split into two lighting units on each side and the light strip running across the whole tailgate (the latter is definitely in fashion). Curiously, the lines at the rear are so distinctive that it seems no room was left for the brand logo, which sits in a raised position on the glass itself. Hidden beneath the spoiler we can find the rear wiper.

Inside, the changes are significant; nothing remains from the previous generation. The new dashboard sits in a low position, with a huge centre console that extends from the dashboard to the central tunnel, housing a large touchscreen and the various controls.

The climate control buttons are also touch-sensitive, a solution that is not new, but which adds a premium touch. That said, the overall finish is in piano black, a detail that could be improved, because it gets dirty very quickly and scratches very easily.

Another striking detail is the instrument cluster display (10.25″), which offers three types of display depending on the driving mode and is very clear. If I had to find a fault, perhaps if it were better integrated and dispensed with the gaps where dust or dirt accumulates, it would be outstanding.

The driving position is comfortable, raised (as befits a good SUV) with the dashboard clearly lower, which gives us excellent visibility. The seats support the body well and the headrest comfort has improved (in the previous generation, to my taste, it was slightly annoying). They are comfortable seats, with electric adjustment (both front seats), ventilation and heating.

The rear seats are roomy; the only drawback is that access is narrow, but once seated we find plenty of room for both feet and head, as well as heated seats, USB charging sockets and controls for the three-zone climate control.

Both the quality and the interior finish are outstanding, even approaching the segment above. That said, I’ll insist again that the piano black finish is not practical for our market. It has several storage compartments for our belongings, as well as wireless phone charging.

The boot has a capacity of 546 litres, with an electric tailgate and a slightly raised loading lip.

Engine and performance: a very lively 136 CV

The new Tucson’s engine range is very varied: there are petrol, diesel and hybrid engines, and there will even be a PHEV variant. In the diesel range there are two engines with the same base, both a 1.6 CRDI but available with 115 CV or 136 CV. The more powerful diesel engine is paired with the seven-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic gearbox and optionally with 4×4 drive.

The 1.6 diesel block is an old acquaintance in the brand, being very punchy and smooth in operation. In addition, in this 136 CV variant it is combined with a 48V mild hybrid system that allows it to wear the “ECO” label.

The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox is quick in operation (apart from how impractical the buttons used to operate it are), although it stands out for the comfort it brings to the drive.

Handling: significant dynamic improvement

When we get behind the wheel of the new Hyundai Tucson, the first thing we notice is smoothness and the second is ease. This SUV drives with sensations closer to those of a car, and its suspension gives it outstanding dynamics, being among the best in the segment in this respect.

If we add to this a punchy diesel block and select Sport mode (among the ECO, Normal and Sport modes), then we have a very fun SUV on a mountain pass or a twisty road, without excessive body roll.

Sound insulation has been improved, which is noticeable on motorway or road journeys. All in all, Hyundai has done a great job on the dynamics and comfort front.

As for the four-wheel drive, although it works correctly and gives us a 50-50 lock, we must not forget that it is an SUV, with the dimensions of an SUV. It can be of interest if we regularly use it on tracks, in snow (together with good tyres) or with a trailer.

Consumption: ECO label

Thanks to the 48V mild hybrid system, this Hyundai Tucson wears the ECO label on its windscreen. As for consumption, the mild hybrid system is barely noticeable, since on the road it needs an average of 6.2 litres per 100 km, rising to 8.2 litres per 100 km if we drive in town.

It is true that the system switches the engine off much earlier when we stop or provides a boost at certain moments when power is needed, but this Tucson’s consumption is very similar to that of other diesel SUVs with these characteristics that have the C label and not ECO.

Equipment

As standard, the Tucson starts at the KLASS level, with 17-inch alloy wheels, a touchscreen multimedia display, several driver assistance systems (lane, rear camera, emergency braking, among others), light and rain sensors, four speakers, among others. The MAXX level adds the chrome grille, wireless phone charger, digital instrument cluster, among others.

The most balanced trim levels are both the MAXX and the TECNO, since the base trim loses some interesting items (chrome grille or digital instrumentation) and the difference between TECNO and STYLE is minimal.

On our car, the range of driver assistance systems was extensive: unintentional lane departure warning with steering intervention, mirror blind spot warning, automatic braking in the event of a frontal collision, parking assistant, 360 cameras, driver fatigue detector, among others.

That said, I did not like that to switch off the unintentional lane departure assistant you have to navigate through several menus on the central screen (before, it was switched off with a simple button), since this assistant, like those of other brands, can be annoying on certain types of road (especially if the lines are poorly painted or irregular) and even more so when it intervenes on the steering wheel if it considers that we are leaving our path. That said, to activate the lane-following system linked to the cruise control we do have a physical button on the steering wheel itself.

The Krell sound system with ten speakers is fine; it is not among the best in the segment, but it more than meets expectations by offering clear audio with sufficient power.

Verdict and price of the 2021 Hyundai Tucson

The new Hyundai Tucson is an SUV that has pleasantly surprised us, for several reasons. The first thing we liked is its progress in terms of driving dynamics, being today a fun, agile car with a very comfortable drive. It is still spacious (the previous generation already was) and has improved in design (both inside and out), while the quality of the finish is notable.

If I had to find a fault, operating the automatic gearbox by button doesn’t strike us as practical or quick, and the same goes for the driver assistance systems, since to switch them off you have to go through several menus on the screen, when before it was done with a simple button.

From the MAXX trim upwards the level of equipment is very complete, so we get an eye-catching, well-equipped SUV that performs well on the road. That said, the price is in line with what it offers (the Koreans’ improvement in quality has been showing in their prices for some time now).

The 2021 Tucson is available from 23,800 euros for the 150 CV petrol with KLASS trim, while the diesel range starts at 28,600 euros. That said, our car with the most complete STYLE trim climbs to over 48,400 euros.

Photos | Highmotor test team