Hyundai brings back the Tucson name for its ix35 replacement, which is due to go on sale in the UK this September, priced from £18,695
Hyundai’s new Tucson SUV will cost from £18,695 when it goes on sale in the UK this September. The SUV made its global debut at the Geneva motor show back in March.
The replacement for the current ix35, the Tucson measures 4475mm long by 1850mm wide, with a height of 1645mm and a wheelbase of 2670mm. Those dimensions make it longer, wider and lower than the outgoing ix35.
Having retired the original Tucson in 2010 to make way for the ix35, Hyundai has now reversed that decision in the hope of making the Tucson a more global product.
"We made the decision to have the same name for global products worldwide," explained Hyundai Europe's chief operating officer Thomas Schmid. "Almost everywhere called the car the Tucson apart from Europe, but our studies showed that awareness of the name among customers was no different.
"It gives us a synergy around the world that brings advantages - and it allows us to signify the significant step forward in the product and the design that we have made with this car. It's our belief that Tucson will lift perception to a new level among customers, who have not seen this level of quality or craftmanship from us before."
The Tucson takes on a more rugged appearance than the ix35, and features Hyundai's prominent front grille design. A clear resemblance to the larger Santa Fe can be seen. Hyundai design boss Peter Schreyer said: "We tried to make an SUV, but make it bolder and stronger.
"When we do something like this, of course, we have in mind that it needs to be successful globally. It needs to be a good product and then it can be successful in all markets."
Engine line-up revealed
Powering the new Nissan Qashqai rival will be two petrol and three diesel engines, all meeting Euro 6 emissions standards.
A 1.6-litre petrol engine is available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms, producing 133bhp and 174bhp respectively.
The diesel line-up kicks off with a 1.7-litre unit producing 113bhp and also includes two versions of the firm's 2.0-litre powerplant, available in a choice of 134bhp and 181bhp forms. The 2.0-litre option will also be available with four-wheel drive. Although Hyundai will showcase several of its mild-hybrid engine options in Geneva, officials say no hybrid option has yet been confirmed for the Tucson.
Transmission options include a six-speed manual, six-speed automatic and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Hyundai says the Tucson, built on an all-new platform which will also be shared with the new Kia Sportage, offers a generous amount of interior space. It has 513 litres of luggage capacity available with all the seats up - smaller than the outgoing ix35 but 83 litres more than the Nissan Qashqai.
Despite its larger interior dimensions, the new Tucson remains a strict five-seater.
Inside, buyers get ventilated and heated seats, a powered tailgate, park assist and a new navigation system that is three times faster than the previous generation, according to Hyundai.
Safety features on the new model include autonomous emergency braking, lane assist, rear traffic alert, blindspot monitoring and a system that raises the bonnet in the event of a pedestrian collision.
Hyundai says it will build all European-bound Tucson models at its Czech Republic factory, although manufacturing for other global markets will be based in South Korea.
The Korean manufacturer says it has sold more than one million SUV models in Europe since the introduction of the Santa Fe in 2001.
The Tucson is available in five trim levels, dubbed S, SE, SE Nav, Premium and Premium SE. Entry-level S models get DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity, 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning and automatic lights. SE versions, which start at £20,495, get larger 17-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, heated seats, a lane-keep assist system, cornering headlights and dual-zone climate control.
Higher up, SE Nav versions of the Tucson get satellite navigation, while Premium models also get 19-inch alloys, leather trim, front parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking, heated rear seats and blind spot monitoring. Top-spec Premium SE models feature keyless entry and go, a heated steering wheel, electric tailgate, LED ights, a panoramic sunroof and ventilated front seats.
Prices for the new Tucson start at £18,695, and rise to £30,345 for a top-spec model.
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