Hyundai Tucson

By Bill McCarthy

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PARAMETRIC design is a key feature of the new Tucson, now into its fourth incarnation and longer, wider and more spacious than before. I certainly hadn’t got a clue what that meant, so best leave it to Hyundai.

The firm says the geometric patterns known as ‘parametric jewels’ appear throughout the SUV’s design. The look is enhanced with the use of these lights – a design innovation which seamlessly incorporates state-of-the-art lighting technology into the Tucson’s parametric jewel pattern grille which forms the car’s striking light architecture. 

To the rear, the wide light clusters feature cat’s claw like shapes, while the new bumper also integrates parametric pattern details with a three-dimensional effect. Phew! So there you have it.

More simply put, it is a stunning looking SUV. It looks like it may have been chiselled from an ice block, with its sharp lines, acute angles, bold haunches, 17-inch alloys giving it a striking profile and yes, those jewelly light things.

It looks good and the interior features high level trim, soft touch finish, logical controls and switchgear, ventilated seats and three-zone climate control to offer an executive feel. In addition mood lighting offers 64 configurable colours and 10 levels of brightness. 

This  SE Connect ‘entry level’ model is still packed with kit including privacy glass, and body-coloured bumpers. Interior features include a leather steering wheel and gear knob, dual-zone air conditioning, cruise control, heated and folding door mirrors, rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.

Dominant is the 10.5 inch touchscreen which controls a premium sound system, navigation, smartphone connectivity, wireless phone mirroring and wireless charging while also monitoring hybrid driving mode via the latest Bluelink® and LIVE Services features.

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SUVs are practical cars and the Tucson is no exception, offering up to 513 litres of luggage capacity with the seats up and up to 1,503 litres with the seats folded on this particular hybrid model. For improved convenience, the rear seats can now be folded in a 40:20:40 ratio and can even be completed remotely

Power is provided by the combination of 1.6 litre petrol and engine and 44.2 kW electric motor running from 2.49kW lithium ion  battery, mated with a six-speed auto box. This delivers a combined power punch of 230PS.

Like most hybrids, it offers good pace, together with excellent economy, although emissions are surprisingly high.

Available in four wheel drive or in this case two wheel only, on the road, the handling defies the usual SUV drawbacks, feeling sharp, with little wallow and stable ride. It is very brisk off the mark, hitting 60mph in around 8.5 seconds, but still delivering economy of around 40mpg.

Its the first Hyundai SUV to receive an Electronic Controlled Suspension (ECS) and this adaptive damping technology, allows seamless drive mode switching to provide the appropriate ride. Use ‘Normal’ or ‘Eco’ mode for  a comfortable, flat and stable ride, even on the most challenging roads.

The ECS automatically and continuously controls the vehicle’s suspension to maximise driving comfort and performance. In ‘Sport’ mode, drivers enjoy an extra level of responsiveness and control.

It all adds up to an enjoyable drive, while noise like wind, road and engine are virtually absent.

It is also packed with a host of safety kit, both active and passive, including the likes of stability control, lane departure, cross traffic, blind spot and leading vehicle departure alerts.

It’s quite a package for a relatively modest price over just over £32k and includes a five year, unlimited miles warranty.

FAST FACTS

Hyundai Tucson SE Connect hybrid

Price: £32,255

Mechanical: 230PS, 1598cc, 4-cylinder, petrol engine and electric motor driving front wheels via six-speed auto box

Max Speed: 125mph

0-62mph: 8.9 seconds

Combined MPG: 40.4

Insurance Group: 20

C02 emissions: 127g/km

Warranty: 5yrs/unlimited miles

It may have slipped people’s notice with the pandemic going on that a new, well newish, car brand has appeared.

Cupra is a name well-known to SEAT enthusiasts and was the badge given to more sporting models, being a combination of Cup and Racing, ergo Cupra.

Now, a bit like DS with Citroen, it has split and become a brand of its own, while remaining part of SEAT, and as the new kid on the block, offering a shiny new badge.

It has become unashamedly high end and sporty and the firm has announced a number of updates for the 2022 model. And with the curiously named all-electric Born on the horizon, it ticks most boxes for drive options.

There are four models which Cupra showcased on a driving event, the Cupra Ateca, Cupra Leon hatch and estate and the Formentor SUV.

It is fair to say that the Spanish firm’s sporty tradition is in safe hands with Cupra as all feature sharp, angular styling, distinctive alloy wheels and striking light clusters. Interiors are classy and the car delivers the kind of drive you would expect from Cupra.

I drove four of the vehicles, the Formentor 1.5 TSI V2 150PS DSG, pretty much the entry level for this model and featuring a  150PS 1.5 TSI petrol engine and capable of hitting 60mph in a smidge under nine seconds.

 This was followed by the all wheel drive powerhouse Leon Estate 2.0 TSI. Priced at 40,535, the 310PS two litre power unit here propels the car to 60mph in just under five seconds, while still delivering economy in the mid-30s mpg. 

Next up, the same power in the SUV Formentor, just over £100 more expensive, at £40,620, with virtually identical performance, but as its a heavier car, a slight drop in economy into the lower 30s mpg.

Last up was the Leon hatchback, priced at £36,760 and again delivering hot performance.

This time the two litre unit develops 300PS  and hits 60 in 5.7 seconds with economy in the mid to late 30s mpg.

Even the entry level at a little over £31k offers a comprehensive list of standard kit while still delivering an excellent drive.

In true SEAT style all offer hot performance while the 310PS models, particularly when mated to the four wheel drive, offer exhilarating performance.

The separation looks to be a shrewd move by the VW-owned Spanish firm, offering traditional SEAT sporty performance, but now with an altogether more upmarket feel, while the Cupra badge is stylish enough to rouse people’s curiosity.

All variants of the Leon and Formentor equipped with a DSG-auto gearbox also get a heated steering wheel as standard, while on the Formentor an electric tailgate is now an available option on V1 and V2 trims, and a top view camera can be added to the VZ2 and VZ3 trims.

Prices for the CUPRA Leon start at £31,555 for the Leon hatch VZ1 trim 2.0-litre TSI 245ps DSG-auto and rise to £40,535 for the range-topping Leon Estate VZ3 2.0-litre TSI 310ps DSG-auto 4Drive.

Formentor prices start at £27,745 OTR for V1 1.5-litre TSI 150ps, rising to £42,990 OTR for VZ3 2.0-litre TSI 310ps DSG-auto 4Drive.