Hyundai Tucson (2015) 1.7 CRDi SE Nav review (Month 1)

Hyundai’s all-new Tucson is an important car for the brand. Not only does it serve to reiterate Hyundai’s positioning as a carmaker with a wider appeal than the i10 city car which propelled it out of the downturn but it also helps consolidate its position in the fast growing compact SUV sector.

Launched in September 2015, the all-new model saw the brand jettison the clumsy ix35 nomenclature to revive the more customer friendly Tucson badge last seen on a Hyundai SUV back in 2009. We’ve been testing the best-selling two wheel drive SE Nav 1.7 CRDi model since the beginning of March to see how the brand’s latest model compares with the fast grow competition.

First impressions are favourable with the relatively small but refined diesel engine appearing to punch above its weight with a 116PS power output more than enough for most requirements and surprisingly agile when transporting a full complement of five adults.

Our test model arrived with 3,600 miles on the clock so the engine was nicely bedded-in. Its first tankful effortlessly delivered 43.3mpg on some demanding urban driving and clocked up an impressive 500 miles before it needed refuelling.

The official combined figure is 61.7mpg so with more motorway runs planned we will hopefully start to close in on that figure.

The six-speed manual transmission is particularly slick through the low gears which has been appreciated in stop/start town traffic. Drivers also benefit from a display suggesting the optimum gear.

As befitting a model destined to be a hard working family car the chassis has been tuned for comfort rather than performance. This means the set-up forgives most poorly maintained roads while body

roll into corners is minimal. The steering is reassuringly positive at speed and nice and light at low speeds to facilitate easy parking manoeuvres.

The car is built in the Czech Republic and designed for European buyers. It certainly boasts a good road presence with its muscular styling featuring some neat lines and creases emanating from its super-size grille. Our trim also includes a shark fin antenna which neatly rounds off what is a confident premium look.

The seating position is commanding and comfortable and will probably win prospective customers over within minutes of a test drive. The cabin is much larger than the ix35 and belies its compact classification; a factor appreciated in the rear where knee and leg room is excellent. Boot space is also good with a full size spare wheel located out of the way under floor, while the rear seats easily fold flat to produce a long and wide cargo bay which should suit the most demanding of domestic demands.

In common with a growing number of new cars the infotainment system does not include a CD player but is so well specified that you don’t really miss it. The DAB radio is easy to tune and allows multiple favourite savings, while the Bluetooth and USB connectivity enable smartphone applications such as Spotify, iTunes and podcasts to be accessed effortlessly. It also sounds good with six speakers dotted around the cabin. The satellite navigation is easy to operate with routes and directions clearly displayed on the easy to read 8-inch touch screen. It also helpfully links to live Tom Tom traffic information.

The SE Nav trim covers a plethora of standard bells and whistles, including a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, climate control, heated front seats, cruise control and 17-inch alloys all for £22,795. Our test model also boasts a metallic paint job, an optional extra costing £585.

With so much kit on board, its generous dimension and comfortable driving dynamics this is a car that dealers have already found appeals equally to retail buyers and company car user-choosers. No wonder then that by the end of last year the Tucson had become Hyundai’s fastest selling car across Europe with the SE Nav model accounting for over a third

of the model’s sales in the UK. Indeed our test model makes a convincing case for low running costs with residual values running at 42% after three years and 60,000 miles, a much higher return than its predecessor mustered. Furthermore its competitive positioning has enabled Hyundai to set a 0% APR PCP of just £137 a month over two years.

As a statement of intent our Tucson makes a convincing argument for Hyundai’s aspiration to increase its penetration in the fiercely competitive C-SUV sector where it’s up against the closely related Kia Sportage and market dominating Nissan Qashqai.