SA Road Tests

Welcome

This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Most, but not all, the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

My most recent drive is on the home page. Archived reviews and opinion pieces are in the active menu down the left side. Hover your cursor over a heading or manufacturer's name and follow the drop-down.


This is a launch report. In other words, it's simply a new model announcement. The driving experience was limited to a short drive over a preselected course. We can therefore not tell you what it will be like to live with over an extended period, how economical it is, or how reliable it will be. A very brief first impression is all we can give you until such time as we get a test unit for trial. Thank you for your patience.


Some old, much new: 2018 Hyundai Tucson range

Upping the ante

Posted: 10 September 2018

New:
•    Front, rear and interior styling
•    Product lineup
•    Gearbox on top model
•    Improved infotainment module

Hyundai’s Tucson, a strong contender in its market segment since 2009, has been facelifted inside and out and given a “floating” seven-inch touchscreen for its infotainment system that now boasts CarPlay. Android apps would be accessed via your phone. Other changes see realignment of the product range. The 1.7-litre diesel with manual transmission has been dropped in favour of a two-litre automatic, for example and a new gearbox was introduced.

Frontal appearance changes include a new four-bar grille, new head- and fog lamps, LED daytime running lamps and front bumper treatment. The rear end is different too, with completely new back panels and redone taillights, fog lamps, tailpipes and skid plate.

The dash has been transformed with the new, high-mounted infotainment setup, new vent treatment and new instruments. The steering wheel remains the same with its full house of satellite controls. As before, there are seven offerings covered by three engines, three gearboxes and three trim levels.

Fewer-frills Premium offers the 2.0-litre NU petrol engine developing 115 kW/ 196 Nm and a decent level of Life’s Necessities. These include six airbags, ABS with EBD, manual air conditioner, infotainment, powered windows all around with one-touch for the driver, foldable electric mirrors, cruise control and a backup camera. It is the only grade fitted with choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions because Executive and Elite are automatic-only.

Executive level ups the ante with two engines; the 1999 cc petrol motor described above and the 131 kW/400 Nm, 1995 cc turbodiesel. Feature upgrades add ESP with VSM (vehicle stability management), downhill braking control, hill start assistance, dual zone climate control, leather upholstery, blind spot information with cross traffic alert and rear parking alarm.

Top-level Elite pairs the 2.0-litre diesel with a new eight-speed automatic while the 1.6 TGDI (turbocharged, gasoline direct injection) model retains its seven-ratio dual clutch transmission. Two things have changed here; it loses the “Sport” appellation and all-wheel drive. It’s a plain front-driver for now although Hyundai would consider bringing awd back if customers demand it. Added features are smart key with push button starting, panoramic sunroof, rear compartment air vents, static bending LED headlights and electrically adjusted front seats.

What has not changed at all is Hyundai’s 5-year, 150 000 km warranty with roadside assistance for the full period and its bonus drivetrain extension for a further two years and/or 50 000 kilometres.


Information gathered at a manufacturer-sponsored press event.

Prices:
2.0 Premium m/t:        R399 900
2.0 Premium a/t:         R419 900
2.0 Executive a/t:        R459 900
2.0 Elite a/t:                R499 900
R2.0 tdi Executive a/t:  R529 900
1.6 TGDI Elite dct:        R559 900
R2.0 tdi Elite a/t:          R569 900


What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments or questions?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you completely disagree with what I say? If you want advice or have a genuine concern, I will be happy to hear from you. All I ask is that you write something in the subject line so I know which vehicle you're talking about.