These are BIG changes
FROM SELF-PARKING TO NEW POWERTRAINS, NEW TUCSON HAS BEEN EXTENSIVELY RE-ENGINEERED
Hot on the heels of the revamped Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid comes the all-new 2022 Tucson. From the exterior look and slick cabin to the three new powertrains, it has been re-engineered from the road up.
The Tucson’s style marks a radical departure — the striking LED daytime running lights meld into the grille until they light up, there are pronounced angular lines throughout the side body and, at the back, the sharp four-segment tail lights shift the look from verging on frumpy to a funky standout.
Move inside, and the changes are no less radical. The free-standing 10.25-inch screen that displays the configurable instrumentation in the Ultimate lacks a cowl, but surprisingly, bright sunlight did not wash it out. It supports Apple Carplay and Android Auto, and there’s a solid eight-speaker Bose sound system. Other key changes are the push-button shifter and a different set of front vents that deliver diffused, draft-free air.
One of the neat features is the ability to park the Tucson remotely. When the engine is running, simply hold the forward button on the key fob and the Tucson drives itself into the parking spot. Pushing the back button sees it reverse out. The next time some twerp parks so close you can’t open the driver’s door, it’s no longer a problem. Yes, it is sort of gimmicky, but it is also pretty cool.
The safety equipment list includes all key features and then some. Aside from all the usual kit, including a drowsy-driver monitor, comes a small button on the right side of the steering wheel that activates the Highway Driving Assist feature. It keeps the Tucson centred in its lane during normal driving and works with the adaptive cruise control. When the cruise is activated, the Tucson has a semi-autonomous drive function.
The new Tucson is longer, wider, and taller, and there is significantly more room for passengers and cargo. There’s 1,095 litres of space with the seats up, or 2,119 L with the seats folded.
The Tucson has three new powertrains. First is a 2.5-L in-line four-cylinder engine that makes 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque.
It drives the front or all four wheels through an eightspeed automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) system works seamlessly to deliver better grip across the board, so if you’re in the market, the $2,000 cost on the Essential and Preferred models is money well invested. All other models come with AWD included.
If there is a disappointment, it is the Tucson N Line — it’s just a cosmetic package, which means it uses this engine.
Next up is the Hybrid model tested. It uses a 1.6-L turbo-four that makes 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. It works with an electric motor and a 1.49 kilowatt/ hour lithium-ion polymer battery. The electric motor adds another 59 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, which ups the net output to 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid works with a six-speed automatic transmission to drive all four wheels. This package boasts a posted average fuel economy of 6.4 L/100 km, while delivering a spirited 7.8-second run to 100 km/h. Both are very respectable numbers.
Later this year, a plug-in hybrid will land. It uses the same engine, but works a stronger electric motor that makes 90 hp and 224 lb-ft of torque. The end result is 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It gets its juice from a larger 13.8 kw/h battery that delivers around 50 km of electric-only driving. It promises to deliver an intriguing blend of power and economy.
In terms of the ride and handling, the suspension does a good job of keeping body roll under control without making things harsh on the highway — and this in spite of the 19-inch rims and 235/55 tires. The steering has good feel and feedback, and it turns in quickly. Part of the reason is the hybrid models feature Hyundai’s e-handling technology. Heading into a corner, the electric motor applies a braking force to the front wheels, which loads up the tires and sharpens the steering response. At the exit it applies torque to the rear axle, which delivers better acceleration out of the corner.
The 2022 Tucson starts at $27,699 for the front-drive Essential, the Preferred with all-wheel drive comes in at $32,099. The Ultimate Hybrid tested here has a sticker of $41,499.