TUCSON CROSSES OVER TO SUCCESS
Impressive Hyundai model brings fresh sense of dynamism capable of attracting new buyers
BACK in 2004, Hyundai launched what should have been a ground-breaking model. Three years before Nissan’s Qashqai launched the buoyant market for family-sized Crossovers, the Tucson could have been that car.
As it was, the Tucson was marketed as a small SUV, sold poorly and was eventually replaced in 2010 by a model pitched as a family Crossover, the ix35.
Now though, the Tucson name is back, this badge attached to a design that replaces that rather apologetic-looking ix35 and which brings a fresh sense of dynamism to Hyundai’s presence in the Crossover sector.
It’ll need to do that for once you get beyond the lower range models, Tucson pricing is pitched a fair bit above that which applied to that ix35.
The range may start at less than £19,000 for the entry level S trim, but it’s very easy to spend an awful lot more and you could end up shelling out well over £30,000.
So, what do we have? The tough looks of a SUV, the sensible practicality of a 5-seater mini-mpv and the affordability of a family hatchback. These are the facts behind a Tucson model good enough to attract many new buyers to the Hyundai brand.
It’s nicely built, efficient and capable in 4WD form of getting everywhere any family driver might want to go.
No, it’s not perfect — a leading family hatch might offer slightly sharper handling and better all-round visibility — but these aren’t deal-breaking issues.
More important will be this model’s competitive pricing and lengthy warranty. It’s a Hyundai of the modern era. And that makes it a very impressive car indeed.
