Hyundai SUVS undergo surgery

The fresh changes and additions go deeper than a mere cosmetic makeover

THE PEOPLE at Hyundai have been burning the midnight oil during the past few months, with updated models including the i10 Grand, i20, H1 and now the Tucson and Creta having had their turn to come under the knife.

The two SUVS play an important part in Hyundai’s line-up and have proven to be very successful in a competitive market that includes almost every manufacturer in the country.

It’s not hard to see why, as we discovered at the recent Gauteng launch of both models.

Firstly, the smaller Creta which, since it was launched here in 2017, has sold more than 8 000 units, receives an exterior makeover featuring Hyundai’s “cascade” grille, a new front bumper with dual-tone finish and skid plates, new fog lamps and daylight running lights, as well as lower profile roof rails. From the back it has been tweaked slightly, with “new” tail lamps with LED inserts, repositioned reflectors and it now sports a skid plate as well.

From the side, though, both models look pretty much the same.

Apart from the external changes and some tweaking of the suspension, the Creta still has the same engine and gearbox choices, and high specification levels, meaning you get the executive package across the range.

So you get leather seats, a leather-bound steering wheel, multi-functional remote controls and an eightinch touch-screen display. Cruise control, rear park assist and camera are standard as well.

Passengers are also well catered for, with air vents and a rear armrest with cup holders and, in the event of an accident, curtain airbags.

We drove on a combination of tar and dirt on the launch, and the ride quality was extremely good, even on rutted dirt roads.

Engine-wise, you can opt for a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine coupled to a six-speed gearbox with 90kw and 150Nm of torque or the same engine with a six-speed automatic gearbox. The diesel option is a 1.6-litre turbocharged unit also with a six-speed automatic box that gives you 94kw and 260Nm of torque and is probably the one I would opt for as a perfect combination between urban commuter and long-distance traveller.

With the Tucson they’ve also incorporated the “cascading” grille and new light signature LED headlights, changed the bumper and refined the skid plate. From the back you’ll notice a new tail-light design, exhaust tailpipe, bumper and again the skid plate.

Inside, the whole dashboard has been revitalised with soft touch material and a floating audio system screen that’s been repositioned to allow the driver to stay focused on the road.

The whole look and feel of the cabin is one of a premium SUV and the ride quality echoes that.

You can select from three engines – a naturally aspirated 2-litre petrol, a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol and a 2-litre turbocharged diesel – all pulled along from the front wheels.

The baseline or premium Tucson is fitted with cruise control, a seven-inch touch screen, LED daytime running lights and gets the 2-litre motor delivering 115kw and 196Nm of torque, fitted with either a six-speed manual or auto gearbox.

The mid-range Executive derivative has ESP, VSM, leather seats, blind spot detection, cross-traffic alert detectors (the safety feature shown ad nauseam during the Soccer World Cup broadcast sponsorship), driver electric seat adjustment and a host of other features designed to make your life easier and safer.

You can choose between a 2-litre petrol coupled to a six-speed automatic box or a new edition 2-litre turbo diesel giving you 131kw and 400Nm, with a new eight-speed automatic gearbox.

At the top of the triangle is the Elite, which has a panoramic sunroof, push-button start and keyless entry, an extra USB port in the back and Hyundai’s long list of standard features.

Here you get the option of the 2-litre petrol, the 2-litre diesel or the 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine with a 130kw and 265Nm mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

So, a little bit of surgery to keep things fresh and modern, while sticking to its core of providing honest transport at a not-too-ridiculous price, will, I’m sure, see both these models continue to remain strong sellers.