Hyundai Tucson 2020 UK first drive

The fourth generation Hyundai Hyundai Tucson is, I think it’s fair to say, quite striking. Which is no bad thing when there’s an abundance of medium-sized SUVs and you want to tell them apart. I don’t think you’ll have too much trouble with the Hyundai.

The Tucson sits between the compact Hyundai Hyundai Kona and full-sized Hyundai Santa Fe in Hyundai’s range. Previously, the line up has started at £23,000, rising to £32,000, all before options, but you can expect both will go up with this example. 

The size has increased, too. At 4500mm by 1850mm, it’s 20mm longer and 15mm wider respectively than the previous Tucson, which means it’s a little longer than a Volvo XC40 but shorter than a Nissan X-Trail. It’s a five-seat family wagon for those who like some tallness in their life. Which, I am aware, is a lot of you. 

There are two- and four-wheel-drive versions – this rather well-specified derivative drives all four wheels – with powertrain options including a 134bhp diesel that more people should consider than will, and 1.6 mild-hybrid petrols with 148bhp and 178bhp. Then there’s this 227bhp 1.6 less mild hybrid that can drive on electric power alone from time to time.

A non-electrified petrol and a low-powered diesel will follow, as will a plug-in hybrid. Whichever electrified version you get, the hybrid’s batteries sit below the boot floor, although pure internally combusted cars have the same luggage volume as electrically assisted models. Here there’s a seven-speed automatic, but you can have a six-speed manual.

Inside, the new Tucson is almost as bold as the outside. There’s a positively elegant sweep of fabric and metallic/piano black finishes across the dashboard, neatly integrating the air vents, which, if finished in veneer and chrome, would be called ‘yacht inspired’ or something if it came from an old-school premium European maker.

As it is – with soft-touch plastics abounding; separate, clear climate controls; big, pleasingly coloured digital dials; and a largely functional central touchscreen (with phone mirroring) – it’s both a functional and attractive interior. A Volvo XC40 has a bit more joy to it, but if the alternative is a Volkswagen Group car, so samey and staid, this is a really pleasant option. The fit is strong, too, and your fingers meet hard plastics only when you prod down at door bins and the central storage cubby.