A good crossover nowadays needs more than just the basics. It should ride better, perform better, and provide more utility than its competition to stand out in a market flooded with CUVs.
On paper, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson appears to do just that. The third-generation crossover, all set to arrive in India later this year, is longer, wider, and lower, with a new powertrain and more technology that mostly works seamlessly inside the quiet cabin. It is a solid alternative to much more mainstream choices such as the Honda CR-V.
Frankly, this small crossover segment has turned into the midsize car segment. It is becoming just as cutthroat and just as boring. These are the minivan substitutes without the utility of a minivan or the third row of bigger vehicles. Hyundai has at least tried to make the new Tucson palatable for people who need a family hauler but still want to feel like they have not surrendered their automotive souls.
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The all-new exterior does a nice job of riding the fence between utilitarian and sporty. The new Tucson arrives 3.0 inches longer, 1.1 inches wider, and 0.4 inch shorter than the outgoing model. All three changes give it a stronger stance and enhance its performance.
The new face of the Tucson, which is also the new face of Hyundai, includes a hard-cut hexagonal-shaped grille, LED twin-projector headlamps, and LED daytime running lights. The front end certainly creates a more aggressive face meant to fill everyone elses rearview mirror. It does not shout, but the growl is welcome.
The rest of the Tucsons design follows similar lines. As part of Hyundai fluidic 2.0 design scheme, the sheetmetal creases are sharp but not overdone. For this generation, the windows are smaller and the metal bigger, which Hyundai says translates into a sportier profile. But really, that sportiness comes from the staggered wheel housing and optional 19-inch wheels. The stance of the Tucson leans forward, a big cat ready to pounce.
The 1.6-liter, turbocharged engine provides plenty of pouncing power. The four-cylinder engine produces 175-horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, which, frankly, I thought would leave the Tucson sluggish off the line and wheezing on the highway. During a day of test-driving, I was pleasantly surprised that even the 3,800-pound AWD Limited had plenty of power for both passing and off-the-line acceleration. It is certainly not going to set a land-speed record, but it felt like it could outperform any minivan and hold its own against more nimble midsize sedans. The 1.6-liter engine also comes with a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that was extremely smooth and very intelligent, knowing when to hold a gear and when to shift.
© Provided by MotorTrend India
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