The SUV has been the South Korean car manufacturer’s best-selling model in both the UK and continental Europe since it was introduced in 2015, and the updated Tucson has been unveiled at the New York motor show ahead of sales starting in the summer.
At the heart of the new model is a range of refined powertrains, each of which Hyundai says is now smaller and with better CO2 emissions, the latter helped by a new dual-clutch automatic transmission that’s more efficient than the old torque converter model. All of these engines meet the latest Euro 6c emissions standards, according to the brand.
The most powerful engine is a 2.0-litre diesel with 184 bhp, four-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission as standard or an optional eight-speed automatic transmission. The old 1.7-litre diesel has been replaced with a 1.6-litre and is available with either 113 bhp or 131 bhp and with front-wheel drive and the manual transmission as standard. The higher-powered engine can be specified with a seven-speed automatic or four-wheel drive.
Two petrol engines are also offered in the form of a 130 bhp 1.6-litre unit, which is only available with a manual transmission. Meanwhile, a turbocharged version of that engine is available, with 175 bhp and the seven-speed auto.
Exterior changes are subtle, with new full LED headlights, redesigned front and rear bumpers, a new rear light design and a new wheel design.
Various safety assistance features are also fitted, including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist and driver attention warning. Meanwhile, an optional safety package adds a 360-degree camera to make parking easier.
Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, vice-president of marketing and product at Hyundai Motor Europe, said: ‘The new Tucson brings a fresh look, creating a consistent appearance with our latest Hyundai models, as well as a series of enhancements to the driving and ownership experience.’
‘With this major update, we expect the New Tucson to remain highly attractive to our customers, who consistently make it our best-selling model.’
Pricing for the UK is yet to be confirmed, but expect a modest increase on the £19,855 starting point of the existing model.
