Brilliant Tucson N Line now also has the cabin to match
A longtime favourite with the Auto team, the Hyundai Tucson has always impressed us. Then this new shape took it to the next level before Hyundai took it to another level with the first version of all-wheel drive Tucson N Line. Now the Korean giant has given the car a mild facelift, at the same time as exorcising the devil that cursed the previous car’s dash.
First the facelift. A chunkier, more squared-off grille gets an egg crate design and revised lighting architecture. A literal treasure chest of static bending and blind-spot detecting LED headlamps continue between the grille elements in a distinctive Daytime pattern. Some styling facets have swapped from body colour, or vice-versa to black or grey to all make this latest take on the parametric jewelled look seem subtly more robust, too.
For the rest, the ‘sensuous sporty’ pronounced bonnet continues with the familiar flat roofline sitting atop a long wheelbase with short overhangs. Tucson‘s angular skin contrasts with its sleek cab-forward stance, with more of the splendidly disruptive same at the rear.
N Line evolution sharpens the theme
An N Line badge now accompanies all that onto the grille while a taller bumper bring a larger vent and bright skid plates to enhance that sporty look up front. Different headlamp surround bezels add to the N-effect, while body colour side skirts and phantom black wing mirrors strike an even sexier poise. N Line also steps up to bolder new 19-inch alloys, there’s a more aggressive rear spoiler. All of which really popped on our Crimson Red sampler.
But that’s where the old one fell apart. So, thank goodness, someone was listening, somewhere. Because not only has Hyundai totally remodelled the Tucson’s dash, but all its buttons, knobs and physical controls are back, and then some! Smarter, more efficient, if a little less flamboyant than before, it’s all worked around the central floating driver-oriented 12.3-inch panoramic curved display to bring a far more futuristic feel.
Most importantly, there are no more stupid swipe surfaces or getting lost in cyber screens to carry out just a menial task. Now just go to the button or knob and do it for every important interface. Just the admin functions are now left to the clear, bright and well-stacked screen. Which means that the CarPlay and Auto infotainment works even better than before. Because now us humans can actually work it and use it!
A mammoth N Line improvement inside
The Digital dials also share the single wide screen with the infotainment. There are wireless chargers, front and rear air conditioning, cruise control and heated leather seats. The new style multifunction steering wheel with an odd dot-dot-dot badge and gear lever also get a lick of leather. The large 539 litre capacity boot increases to 1,860 litres with the 60:40 split rear bench down flat.
Significantly, inside, the rest of Tucson’s cabin seems to fall into a far more stylish space beneath the large panoramic glass sunroof. It’s also less cluttered and plasticky than before, to far better complement its premium soft-touch materials and tones. N Line of course spruces the cabin up with sporty N-branded red stitched black suede and leather seats and upholstery. An exclusive N badged steering wheel, leather gear knob, metallic pedals and doorstep inserts, and a black headliner add to the sporty feel.
Hidden Multi-Air three-zone climate control addresses the cabin’s overall volume of moving air to cater for all aboard. Indirect air vents flow to the centre console. Those up front are even treated with ventilated and heated power chairs. And safety includes six front, side, and curtain airbags and ISOFIX child protection points. Add full Hyundai SmartSense with Blind-spot and Forward Collision, Rear Cross-traffic, and Collision, Lane Keeping and Follow, Smart Cruise, Driver Fatigue and High Beam Assistants.
N Line brings punchy 137 kW and 416 Nm
Press the Start button and our top end Tucson 2.0D Elite burbles to life with a distant diesel rattle. The punchy 137 kW and healthy 416 Nm 2-litre turbodiesel supplies the HTRAC all-wheel drive it’s grunt via an efficient quick-shifting eight-speed automatic. MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, and a stiffer shell add to that newfound AWD agility and surefootedness to deliver a most sophisticated drive.
.And for whatever reason, could that be a subtly smarter aero solution, this Tucson N was even quicker than the last one, which was itself quits a bit better than the claim. A welcome offset considering the converse safety, stability and surefooted advantages the HTRAC all-wheel drive brings. It also matches its similarly packed premium German rivals. Tucson N Line is also frugal and clean burning at 7.4 litres per 100 km. And dare we say, at least as good looking than any of the Hun!
Driver-selectable Normal, Eco, Sport and Smart modes apply specific HTRAC torque distribution settings to ensure confident control in all conditions, while a Terrain Mode takes care of gravel road driving. The driver can also choose between three Snow, Mud and Sand settings.
Worth the premium over the Chinese? Darn right!
We have long raved about the Tucson and really loved the previous version of this premier N Line, even if Hyundai lost its way on the dash and interface. Happily that’s now a thing of the past and this fine car now really and truly has it all for a not very unreasonable price. Yes, it’s definitely worth the premium. Even over those cutthroat Chinamen! – Michele Lupini
Images & Testing: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Hyundai Tucson 2.0D AWD N Line
Engine: 137 kW 416 Nm 2-litre turbodiesel I4
Drive: 8-speed automatic AWD
TESTED:
0-60km/h: 3.41 sec
0-100km/h: 8.26 sec
0-120 km/h: 11.62sec
0-160km/h: 22.45 sec
400m: 15.9 sec @ 139 km/h
80-120km/h: 6.07 sec
120-160km/h: 1o.83 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 201 km/h
Fuel: 7.4 l/100km
CO2: 169 g/km
Range: 725 km
Warranty/Service: 7y 200K/6y 75K km
LIST PRICE: R859K
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