The new Hyundai Tucson, now also with ECO label

Hyundai has finally managed to get the turbodiesel versions of the new Hyundai Tucson with Mild-Hybrid technology eligible for the DGT’s ECO label.

It made little sense that the new Hyundai Tucson, equipped with mild-hybrid technology since its market launch in September 2018, did not have the DGT ECO label. Now, the Korean brand has finally managed to get its model, one of the best-selling SUVs in its category, recognised with this distinction.

We have previously explained how Mild-Hybrids work, cars that are not really hybrids, but which in Spain the DGT treats as such for approval purposes.

This leads to inconsistencies, such as cars from the same manufacturer that include Mild-Hybrid technology having the ECO label in high-end versions with engines producing over 300 CV and CO2 emissions of more than 200 g/km. However, other models with a third of the power, half those emissions and consumption that is always far lower (even in the city) do not carry that environmental badge, which allows, for example, access to the centre of some cities.

We hope that someday someone in the administration will be able to fix this mess. Returning to the Hyundai Tucson, it can be said that, at least while the regulations remain as they are, justice has been done.

Mild hybridisation and 48V electrical system

Now, all versions of the Tucson equipped with 48-volt technology and mild hybridisation are entitled to the ECO label, with all the advantages that this entails.

The versions of the Hyundai Tucson that feature this technology are those fitted with the 1.6 CRDi 116 CV engine, and the 2.0 CRDi, in both its 136 and 185 CV variants. In the Tucson, this system works with an electric motor capable of functioning as a starter motor, connected to the combustion engine by a belt, and which assists it with an additional boost, providing up to 12 extra CV of power.

This reduces fuel consumption and emissions, as the car can also travel for longer in coasting mode when the driver lifts off the accelerator.

The system also recharges the lithium-ion battery located in the spare wheel space, which is replaced by a puncture repair kit. It can do so both while coasting and when braking. With this system, the Tucson reduces CO2 emissions below 120 g/km, which means dropping one tax band in the registration tax. This makes it possible for Hyundai to offer the Tucson with the 48-volt Mild-Hybrid system at the same price as the equivalent versions without this system, with a double advantage for customers: lower consumption… and the ECO label.

The prices of the 48V Tucson start at 30,315 euros for the 1.6 CRDi 116 CV in Klass trim, from 40,865 euros for the 1.6 CRDi 136 CV in Style trim with 7DCT dual-clutch gearbox, and from 45,465 euros for the top-of-the-range 185 CV CRDi with 4×4 traction and 8-speed automatic gearbox.

From these prices you can deduct 3,000 euros in direct discounts, another 1,600 euros if you finance the purchase through the brand, and a further 1,600 euros if you trade in a car, for a total discount of up to 6,200 euros applicable to all versions.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverHyundai Tucson27 versions · from 35,525 €