2021 Hyudnai Tucson Elite review

Families on the hunt for a safe, well equipped and affordably priced SUV should have this machine on their shopping lists.

Hyundai revealed its all-new Tucson medium SUV earlier this year. It’s boldly styled and loaded with equipment and safety gear but prices have jumped.

Our family tested the two-wheel-drive Elite, costing about $43,000 on the road.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Iain: This is Hyundai’s rival to the all-conquering Toyota RAV4.

Jules: The RAV4 has tough good looks, but this Tucson is like something from Blade Runner.

Iain: Those are some seriously crisp creases down its flanks. The front wheel arches blend into the doors like giant metal teardrops.

Photo of Iain Curry and Jules Lucht in the Hyundai Tucson

Jules: Stacked LED lights sit flush with the striking front grille and the rear lights are like dinosaur claws. It’s a brave design, but rental-car white does it no favours.

Iain: True. The Tucson colour palette is surprisingly bland. Greys, black, white, silver or dark blue. You need to option an N Line pack (about $2000 on our car) to get a nice bright red.

Jules: What are its main rivals?

Iain: Aside from the RAV4, it’s the Mazda CX-5 and Nissan X-Trail. Tucsons come in standard, Elite and Highlander grades; with two-wheel or all-wheel-drive and a choice between petrol, turbo petrol or diesel engines.

Jules: I’m expecting great things.

THE LIVING SPACE

Iain: You’re not hard done by in here. Heated power leather seats are luxury inclusions for a non range-topper.

Jules: I’m impressed. The seats are comfy, the layout’s ergonomic and the wide-screen infotainment screen sits flush with the dash – very clean.

The Hyundai Tucson 2021 model in mid-range Elite specification.

Iain: The expected boxes are ticked. Soft-touch plastics, wireless phone charging, navigation and auto lights and wipers. It’s a classy joint.

Jules: But there’s no wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to go with wireless charging?

Iain: USB cable only I’m afraid. Comically, the entry-level Tucson gets wireless smartphone mirroring. While we’re grumbling, a head-up display would also be nice.

THE COMMUTE

Jules: I’m all for the latest safety kit, but has this car reached peak driver assistance?

Iain: Not quite, although you do get beeped at a hell of a lot. The Tucson demands lane discipline perfection.

Jules: Lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitor are too sensitive. They spoil the serene drive.

Iain: I disabled the lane-keep assist. Once done, it’s a brilliant SUV for town and highway. Comfortable, agile, quiet and just very easy to operate.

The Hyundai Tucson 2021 model in mid-range Elite specification.

Jules: True. But you know what’s missing? A bit of fun. Some personality.

Iain: A lot of buyers don’t care for such things from their daily driver.

Jules: Okay, but more engine shove would be nice.

Iain: The 2.0-litre non-petrol engine is apparently all-new, but feels a bit last season. With 115kW/192Nm and economy of 8.1L/100km there’s no revolution here. They cost more, but the turbo petrol or diesel give more verve.

THE SHOPPING

Iain: Plenty of admiring glances for the new Tucson. It cuts a dash along your favourite shopping strip.

Jules: I’m a mum with two primary school kids. My only shopping strip right now is the supermarket car park.

Iain: I found the boot quite big despite harbouring a full-size spare underneath. And with rear seats folded there’s more load space than the seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe.

Jules: It’s easy to park, but call me spoiled, I’d love the 360-degree camera and power tailgate from the Tucson Highlander.

SUNDAY RUN

Iain: Show the Tucson a corner and it displays good poise and control. It’s not a heavy SUV so isn’t a big lump to hustle around. It feels safe and direct, and that’s all many medium SUV buyers demand.

Jules: Not me, sorry. For more than $40,000 I want some fun too. It’s very smooth in
most conditions, but floor it and the engine’s noisy.

Iain: The turbo-petrol is roughly $4000 more, but you also get all-wheel-drive, a sharper dual-clutch transmission, paddle shifters and bags more torque to up the fun.

Jules: Sold. I see that engine’s more economical, too.

Iain: It is, especially in the city where our test car drank a challenging 11 litres per 100km in the city.

THE FAMILY

Jules: It feels like a large SUV from the
back. Our kids had acres of space, so it’d suit older kids.

Iain: The new Tucson’s longer wheelbase helps, and there really is massive head and leg room, plus giant rear glass for a sense of space. The middle seat is too firm, but can still house an adult.

Jules: Two rear USB points are good, but the rear air vents are too skinny. We had some complaints on hot days.

Iain: It’s a shame you can’t get a Tucson as a seven-seater as it feels large enough. Rivals such as the Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander have those two extra occasional chairs.

Jules: The safety kit is reassuring for families. The blind-spot alert will pull you back into line if you drift and it will stop you from backing out into passing traffic or crossing a junction when it’s not safe.

Iain: The family budget can handle $1595 for the first five services too.

THE VERDICT

Jules: The new Tucson’s up there with Toyota’s RAV4 as a top-notch all-rounder. Our version may not be fun-filled but it’s spacious, smart, comfy and safe.

Iain: Safety is brilliant range-wide, and the Elite’s leather and strong infotainment make it feel good value. It’s spacious inside and comfy to drive.