Hyundai Tucson Car Review & Buyer's Guide, Does It Really Set the Benchmark for the Modern Family SUV?

A Design That Demands Attention

The first thing you notice about the Hyundai Tucson is its using Hyundai's new "Parametric Dynamics" design language - in simply terms, it looks like nothing else on the road due to this.

With the most striking feature being its front grille, which houses the "Parametric Hidden Lights."

Then, when the car is turned off, the lights just appear to be part of your dark chrome grille, and once you start the engine, they transform into wing-like shapes, giving the car a high-tech, futuristic signature as a result.

Not Your Average SUV

Due to this, the Hyundai Tucson is not your average-looking SUV. As here, Hyundai’s designers wanted to create something that looks like a concept car you would see at a motor show, but with the toughness needed for everyday British life.

This is where using what they call "Parametric Dynamics" comes in, as here the exterior is full of sharp lines and clever details that catch the light as you drive, which gives you a very modern-looking car as an end result of this process.

The Side Profile is Both Bold and Athletic

From the side, for instance, the Tucson looks fast even when it’s standing still.

Because, here instead of flat, boring doors, Hyundai has added sharp, Z-shaped creases into the metal, and these lines help the car look more muscular and athletic as a result.

You will also notice the squared-off wheel arches, too, as these are lined with tough black cladding, which also helps to protect your paintwork from stone chips or splashes when you are driving on narrow country lanes or through puddles.

The Roofline, Stylish and Practical

The roofline in our expert opinion has a gentle curve that gives the Tucson a sporty "coupe-like" feel, but without sacrificing the headroom inside.

This is then complemented with a stylish chrome (or satin) trim line that runs along the top of your windows and follows the curve all the way to the back as it does so.

Most of the Tucson models also come with some very stylish looking, we must say, roof rails as standard as well, and these are not just for show; they make it very easy to fit a roof box or bike racks for your family holidays.

Step Inside, Is It A Revolution in Comfort?

If the exterior is about making a statement in our view, then the interior is about creating that sanctuary that you want to be in.

As here, Hyundai has moved away from the cluttered dashboards of old, opting more for a "Twin Cockpit" layout that feels open, airy, and we have to say it, rather sophisticated.

So much so that in our view, the interior of the latest Hyundai Tucson marks a major shift towards a more premium, "high-tech" feel while staying incredibly easy to use as it does so, something that we must say isn't actually very easy to do.

Dashboard, Is It Both Clean and Modern?

Well, the first thing we noticed was that the dashboard has been completely redesigned to remove unnecessary clutter.

Now, for instance, you get a very stylish chrome line that runs across the vents and into the doors, all of which do a great job at emphasising the width of the cabin you will get.

Then, on the automatic and hybrid models, the gear selector has been moved to a "Shift-by-Wire" stalk on the steering column as well, which in turn has freed up massive amounts of storage space in the centre console due to this.

Infotainment and Driver Cluster Screens

The centrepiece of the cabin, though in our view, is the stunning dual 12.3-inch curved display, as this combines two high-resolution screens into one seamless unit:

Digital Driver Cluster

The Tucson then replaces your traditional dials with a sharp 12.3-inch screen, and this digital display shows your speed, navigation instructions, and safety alerts directly in your eye line - making it much easier to stay informed without losing focus on the road.

Central Touchscreen

However, you also get a matching 12.3-inch central screen, which handles all your media, vehicle settings, and navigation.

This system is then more designed to be fast and intuitive, and it includes both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, which we always like to see, so you can connect your smartphone effortlessly to your own personal music and apps, making the car uniquely yours.

Comfort and Storage Features

Hyundai has maximised every inch of the cabin for comfort and storage, and this is done via a number of things, such as:

Open Centre Console

For instance, here the new "floating" design is a real game-changer for interior storage.

As by moving the gear controls, Hyundai has created a large, open area under the armrest that is easily big enough to stash a handbag, a large tablet, or even just your daily essentials.

Acoustic Insulation

Then, to ensure that you get a premium driving experience, Hyundai has packed the Tucson with extra sound-absorbing materials as well.

This, combined with a special laminated windshield, means that these upgrades ensure that your cabin remains whisper-quiet and refined, even when you are cruising at motorway speeds.

Family Friendly

Finally, here we also liked that Tucson is packed with thoughtful touches designed for your family life as well.

For instance, this includes wide-opening rear doors that make installing bulky child seats to the 3 ISOFIX points, allowing you to get 3 child seats (2 large and 1 small) in the rear a breeze, while higher trim levels, such as the Hyundai Tucson N Line, come with built-in sunblind's to keep the little ones comfortable on sunny days.

Other Comfort Features to Note

Some other comfort features to note are also the:

• 12" Projection Head-Up Display
• Column-Mounted Shift-by-Wire
• 3-Step Rear Heated Seats
• 6.6" Climate Control Touchscreen
• Generous cargo space
• New armrest and centre console

Real-World Efficiency, What MPG Will You Actually See?

Official WLTP figures are a great starting point, but we know that what really matters to you is how the Tucson performs on the M4, in the school run traffic, or on a long family trip to the coast.

Due to this, here is what you can tend to expect in real-world UK driving conditions.

The Full Hybrid (HEV), The All-Rounder

The 1.6T Hybrid (HEV) is designed for those who want maximum efficiency without the need to plug in.

While the official stats suggest upwards of 50MPG under ideal conditions, real-world owners typically report a very healthy 45–48MPG in mixed driving.

The "self-charging" system is at its best in stop-start traffic, though, where it frequently switches to electric mode, often pushing your urban efficiency well above 50MPG.

On the motorway, where the petrol engine does more of the heavy lifting, you can also expect a steady 40–42MPG at cruise here.

The Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), Your Strategic Choice

The efficiency of the PHEV, though, does depend entirely on how often you charge it.

If you start your day with a full battery, your first 30–38 miles will cost you almost nothing in petrol.

What happens when the battery is empty?

This is the question we get asked most often. If you are on a long road trip and the "electric" range hits zero, the Tucson PHEV does not just become a heavy petrol car; it actually reverts to acting like a standard Hybrid.

For instance, here you can expect:

Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)

Then you have merging onto a busy dual carriageway just much easier with this technology.

As here the system uses rear-corner radars to keep track of vehicles you might not be able to see in your mirrors.

If you then try to change lanes while a car is in your blind spot, you will get a visual and audio warning as well to let you know.

Then, in certain situations, the system can even apply subtle brake pressure to the wheels on the opposite side to steer you back into your lane and avoid a side-swipe collision, keeping you safe in the process.

Other Safety Features of Note

Other safety features of note that come with the Tucson, also include for example:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA 1.5)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning
• Lane Following Assist (LFA)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
• Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
• Highway Driving Assist (HDA)
• Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC)
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA)
• Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
• Surround View Monitor (SVM)
• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
• High Beam Assist (HBA)
• Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
• Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA)
• Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist - Reverse (PCA-R)
• Multi-Collision Braking (MCB)
• Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)
• Downhill Brake Control (DBC)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Seven-Airbag System (including Front Centre Airbag)
• eCall (Emergency Call Service)

Hyundai Tucson vs Nissan Qashqai, Which is the Practicality Powerhouse?

The Nissan Qashqai is a UK staple, but when you look at the specifications side-by-side, the Tucson just offers you a more "grown-up" and package for modern life.

For instance, here you are getting:

Full PHEV Capability

Unlike the Qashqai’s e-POWER system, the Tucson offers a full Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) version.

This then allows for up to 38 miles of pure electric driving - potentially eliminating your petrol costs for the daily school run and local errands.

Class-Leading Legroom

The Tucson provides you with significantly more rear legroom at 1,050 mm, compared to the Qashqai's 940 mm.

This extra space makes it a genuine five-seater for adults, ensuring everyone travels in comfort rather than just the children.

Punchy Performance

With up to 252 PS available in the Plug-in Hybrid model, the Tucson feels much more confident and capable when overtaking or towing than the 190 PS found in the Qashqai e-POWER.

Better Transmission

The Tucson utilises a sophisticated Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT).

This provides a much more engaging and traditional driving feel, successfully avoiding the "droning" sensation often associated with the CVT gearboxes used by many of its rivals.

Hyundai Tucson Frequently Asked Questions

In our dealerships, we often get asked many questions about the Tucson. Here are some of the common ones we do.

Is the Hyundai Tucson a reliable car?

The Hyundai consistently ranks near the top of reliability surveys in the UK, so yes, it is.

The Tucson is also backed by a 5-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which is a strong testament to the brand's confidence in its build quality.

Which is better, the Tucson Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid?

The Full Hybrid (HEV) is best for drivers who do lots of motorway miles or cannot charge at home.

The Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) is the smarter choice if you can charge daily and your commute is under 30 miles, as you can drive almost entirely on electric power.

Can you fit three car seats in the back of a Hyundai Tucson?

While the Tucson is one of the widest in its class with three ISOFIX points, fitting three bulky, modern child seats side-by-side can be tight depending on the brand of seat.

However, it handles two large seats and a central booster with ease.

Who is Sinclair Group?

Here at the Sinclair Group, we are a prominent family-owned motor retailer based in South Wales with a rich history dating back to 1945. Founded by Bill Sinclair in Port Talbot, our company has grown significantly over the decades and, as a result, can offer you some very competitive new car deals straight from Hyundai.

Today, we operate 25 dealerships representing 12 prestigious automotive brands, including new Audi cars, new BYD cars, new Mercedes-Benz cars, new Land Rover cars to name just some of our 12 car brands, and also have a great selection of approved used cars as well as used Hyundai's as well.

We also employ around 900 staff members, many of whom have been with the Group for over a decade, reflecting our dedication to our employee development and satisfaction as well.