Review - 2022 Hyundai Tucson

Fast-becoming one of Australia’s favourite family SUVs, the latest Tucson has received far more than a superficial refresh in its latest model year, gaining an all-new platform that adds significantly to interior space and comfort. 

These upgrades have, however, come at a significant premium over its replacement, which begs the question of whether or not the Hyundai Tucson remains one of the best value for money propositions within the midsize family SUV market. 

Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $34,500

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Hyundai Tucson - ELITE (2WD) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Hyundai Tucson car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Hyundai Tucson lineup kicks off from $34,500 for the entry-level 2.0MPi, rising to $38,000 for the 2.0MPi N Line variant. The range then moves to the Tucson Elite 2.0MPi, which is priced at $39,000, and then to the Tucson Elite 2.0MPi N Line, which is priced at $41,000. 

Stepping up to the Tucson Elite 1.6T comes a cost of $43,000, while both the 1.6T N Line and the Elite 2.0CRDi are priced at $45,000, and the Elite 2.0CRDi N Line receives a $47,000 price tag. 

The range-topping Highlander 1.6T is priced at $50,000, while the N Line variant is priced at $52,000 and the 2.0CRDi and N Line variants are priced at $52,000 and $53,000 respectively. 

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs. 

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What Features Does the Hyundai Tucson Have?

The entry-level Tucson comes riding on a set of 17-inch alloy wheels, and receives automatic headlights with LED daytime running lamps, a leather steering wheel and gear lever, reversing camera with rear-mounted parking sensors, cloth upholstery, a 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a full-sized spare tyre and safety equipment that we’ll cover later in this review. 

Stepping up to the Tucson Elite adds a set of 18-inch alloys, front-mounted parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, black leather upholstery, keyless entry & start, heated front seats and an upgraded 10.25-inch infotainment system with satellite navigation upgrades. 

Moving to the Tucson Highlander adds a set of 19-inch alloy wheels, as well as LED headlights, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, surround-view camera, powered boot lift, heated and ventilated seats, ambient lighting package, auto-dimming rear view mirror, a heated steering wheel, upgraded BOSE sound system and a parking collision avoidance system. 

Finally, Hyundai’s Tucson N Line variants come riding on 19-inch alloys, and receive LED headlights and tail lights, sport seats, leather and suede interiors, an N Line steering wheel and 10.25-inch digital driver’s display. 

Range Features: 

• 17-inch alloys 

• Automatic headlights with LED daytime running lamps 

• 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• Reversing camera with rear parking sensors 

• Leather steering wheel and gear lever 

• Cloth upholstery 

• 18-inch alloys (Elite & above) 

• 10.25-inch infotainment system (Elite & above) 

• Front parking sensors (Elite & above) 

• Keyless entry & start (Elite & above) 

• Black leather upholstery (Elite & above) 

• Heated front seats (Elite & above) 

• 19-inch alloys (Highlander & above) 

• LED headlights (Highlander & above) 

• 10.25-inch digital driver’s display (Highlander & above) 

• Surround-view camera (Highlander & above) 

• Powered boot lift (Highlander & above) 

• Heated and ventilated seats (Highlander & above) 

• Ambient lighting (Highlander & above) 

• BOSE sound system (Highlander & above) 

• N Line sport seats, steering wheel and pedals (N Line)

• Leather & suede upholstery (N Line)

Hyundai Tucson Colours

The Hyundai Tucson range is available in a choice of colours, including Titan Grey, Deep Sea Blue, White Cream, Shimmering Silver, Phantom Black, Amazon Grey and Silky Bronze. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive?

Hyundai has absolutely perfected its recipe for user-friendly driving with the latest Tucson, providing a comfortable platform for growing families. 

The Tucson range is smooth and simple to drive, making it the perfect companion for a growing list of family duties around town, while offering a comfortable platform for long distance road trips. 

The driver has a great view out of the windscreen, while the lightweight steering rack makes parking and low speed manoeuvring a simple task. 

One thing to take note of though, is that there’s three engines available across the range. A naturally aspirated four-cylinder powers the base model, while a turbocharged petrol and diesel engine are also available. 

Power on offer in the entry-level variant is perfectly acceptable, although these are packaged with front-wheel drive only, so if you’re looking for some added stability, you’d be best served by a mid-spec variant that receives all-wheel drive. 

In terms of ride quality, Hyundai tunes its vehicles for Australian roads specifically, which means you benefit from a Tucson that is set up for the rough and tumble of a country B-road, while remaining impressively smooth on city streets. 

All up, the Tucson is a rock-solid option when it comes to driving comfort, offering a user-friendly platform to families looking for a capable all-rounder. 

Is it Practical and Spacious?

While the exterior styling might have some flamboyance, the interior is an impressive step forward from Hyundai in terms of its design and clever, family-friendly packaging details. 

Up front, the driver and front passenger have a tonne of space and visibility, with a relatively sleek and simple dashboard design that houses your climate settings and the infotainment screen. Mid-spec variants gain a larger infotainment screen and a digital driver’s display, which is a nice touch, but the entry-level system is more than acceptable. 

In terms of storage up front, there’s a pair of door bins, as well as storage inside the large folding armrest, a set of cup holders and a two-tiered storage tray behind the gear lever with USB inputs. 

Moving to the second row of the cabin, rear passengers benefit from a bench seat offering a heap of legroom, making it a great option for families with growing teenagers. Occupant space and comfort in the rear of the Tucson is outstanding, providing a heap of room to stretch out and tonnes of headroom for taller occupants. 

For the parents out there, the Tucson receives two ISOFIX mounts on each of the side seats, paired with three top tether points for child seats. 

Moving to the Tucson’s boot, you’ll find 539L of cargo storage on offer with the seats standing, which expands to 1,860L with the rear seats folded. This matches the benchmark set by the Tucson’s major rivals and offers enough boot space for the majority of a family’s needs, all while accommodating a full-sized spare tyre. 

Is it Safe?

Hyundai’s latest Tucson has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring 86% for adult protection, 87% for child protection, 66% for vulnerable road user protection and 70% for its safety assist technologies. 

As standard, the entry-level Hyundai Tucson comes packaged with autonomous emergency braking with junction assist, blind spot monitoring, lane-keep assistance, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors. 

Opting for the Highlander and Elite variants add safety features like a surround-view camera and front-mounted parking sensors, parking collision avoidance, and a blind-spot view monitor. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

With three engines available across the Tucson range, fuel economy depends on which engine you’ve opted for in your Tucson. 

The entry-level Tucson powered by the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder is rated at 8.1L per 100km on a combined cycle, which drops to 7.2L per 100km with the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. 

The turbo-diesel Tucson is rated at 6.3L per 100km on a combined cycle, which makes it the pick of the Tucson bunch in terms of fuel economy, but remains the most expensive engine option available. 

Our Verdict: Is the Hyundai Tucson Worth it?

With the latest generation Tucson, Hyundai has well and truly lifted the bar within an ever-competitive segment of the market. 

The Tucson has more than established itself in the market, now, in fact, it’s beginning to set the bar for its competitors when it comes to all-round driving comfort and handsome features lists. 

With one of the most user-friendly and practical designs on the market, the Tucson has an incredibly strong value for money proposition that many Australian buyers stand to benefit from, so long as the Tucson has a spot on your shortlist. 

On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year unlimited KM warranty 

2. 12-month, 15,000km service intervals; 1.6T requires 12-month/10,000km intervals 

3. Front-wheel drive platform for entry-level model 

4. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 

5. Three engine options; two petrol engines & one diesel 

Pros

• Updated platform adds significant space 

• Sleek and practical interior design 

• Ride quality and impressive handling across the range 

• Generous equipment lists 

Cons

• Underwhelming base model engine

• Some safety features reserved for mid-spec variants 

• Price premium for LED headlights

• Begging for a hybrid variant 

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

Hyundai Tucson Competition