Hyundai Tucson

• The 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine produces 156 hp of power and solid torque. You get reliable everyday performance with good mileage figures.
• The 1.6-litre turbocharged engine comes with 180 hp of power and high torque, and is tuned with a highly responsive 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that feels potent
• The 1.6T hybrid system combines the turbo engine with a 44 kW electric motor for a combined torque of 350 Nm. The gearbox is smooth and linear in acceleration through e-Comfort and e-Dynamic drive modes.
• The suspension is highly robust for any kind of terrain, keeping the cabin in utmost comfort. The steering appears to be quite light yet responsive for the SUV\'s size. This makes driving and even parking much easier. The cabin seems to be well-protected from outside noise with good insulation.
• The AWD and terrain modes, including Sand, Mud, and Snow, make the Tucson take on challenging terrain with ease. But not purely a play off-roader or desert dunes SUV. The ground clearance is reasonable for normal off-roading situations but not exceptional for serious terrain.

Some compromises

The engine's focus is more towards efficiency, which means you miss out on raw power. On highways, if you cruise through at three-digit speeds, let's say close to 140 km/h, you may feel some wind noise, but not a big deal. The turning radius is decent, but parking in extremely tight spots still requires care compared to compact city cars.

• It has to be the twin 12.3-inch monolith displays for infotainment, navigation and vehicle info with intuitive interfaces.
• A 12-inch head-up display projects speed and navigation onto the windshield, genuinely useful for highway driving.
• The BOSE premium sound system offers an awesome audio experience for music.
• Front seats get heated and ventilated, and there is multi-zone climate control
• The comfort is taken care of by quilted leather seats and ambient lighting. The N Line variant gets red stitching for a sportier feel. It also comes with wireless power charging and USB-C ports for convenience during daily commutes.
• The boot size is 620 litres with seats up, expanding to 1,694 litres when folded. Features like rear seats that fold via a remote button are superb. Similarly, the cabin storage is decent, inclusive of proper cup holders, door pockets, and centre console trays.
• You get to choose from nine exterior colours that include matte pine green. Interior variants allow you to select between conservative or sportier aesthetics depending on your taste.
• Overall, the Tucson combines great comfort and modern tech without premium-brand pretension, which is something refreshing to buyers with a limited budget. This Hyundai SUV is not ultra luxurious but quite practical for small families who want a dependable and comfortable car for daily use.

• The suspension is ideal for most of our driving conditions. It takes on bumps well on smooth highways and paved roads, with passengers mostly shielded from any discomfort.
• The cabin is silent for the most part, keeping the wind and road noise manageable.
• In corners, the body roll is controlled with the electronic stability systems and does a perfect job in the background. It is noticeable that the SUV tracks straight without constant steering corrections, boosting confidence on long highway stretches.
• Whenever you decide to engage AWD and adaptive torque vectoring, the Tucson handles curves with ease, offering enhanced cornering stability through active force distribution.
• In the city, this SUV is highly capable, no matter the terrain or road conditions, congested or crowded. The turning radius is manageable, and parking in tight spots requires some attention. You won’t find the SUV hard to deal with in traffic.

Some compromises/trade-offs

• On KSA roads with severe speed bumps, the ride is planted but not as isolated as luxury sedans as expected. And so you may feel the impact more than in premium vehicles.
• Not a big issue, but you also feel that Wind can push the lighter Tucson around on gusty highway days, though this is rarely dangerous
• If you’re looking for a fun drive, the 2.0L base engine isn’t the best of choice. You get a feeling rather quickly that it is a little slower during acceleration from standstill compared to the turbo variants, making city driving feel less exciting.
• Fuel economy is decent but declines noticeably in heavy stop-and-go traffic.

What we know

• The standard safety and driver assistance features include driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, ABS with electronic brake distribution, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
• There is also a sophisticated 360-degree camera system for parking assistance and surround-view functionality.
• Forward collision avoidance assist monitors the vehicle ahead and pedestrians, automatically braking if needed. Lane Following assist helps center the vehicle in the lane. Lane keeping assist provides steering support if you drift without signaling.
• Rear occupant alert warns if a child is left in a rear seat. Tire pressure monitoring keeps you informed of any issues.

What to watch out for

GCC compliance: The Tucson meets local regulatory safety standards and includes the safety features required for GCC spec vehicles.

Safety Rating: The 2024-2025 Tucson has not been independently crash tested yet by Euro NCAP or similar recognised programs, so verified crash test scores are not available. The US counterpart has received good safety ratings, but independent verification for this regional variant is pending.