SA Road Tests

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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. Many of the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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Powerhorse: 2022 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 diesel Elite

Fleetest in the fleet

Posted: June 17, 2022

The numbers
Price: R699 900
Engine: Hyundai Smartstream D4HD, 1998 cc DOHC 16-valve, four cylinder turbodiesel
Power: 137 kW at 4000 rpm
Torque: 416 Nm between 2000 and 2750 rpm
Top speed: 201 km/h
Average fuel consumption (claimed and real): 7.9 l/100 km
Tank: 54 litres
Luggage: 539-1860 litres
Ground clearance: 181 mm
Turning circle: 11.8 metres
Standard tyre size: 235/55R19
Maximum towing mass, unbraked/braked: 750 kg/1900 kg
Warranty: Five years, 150 000 km plus extra two years / 50 000 km on powertrain
Roadside assistance: Seven years, 150 000 km
Service plan: Six years, 90 000 km at 15 000 km intervals

The diesel version in any model range is the slow but steady option, right? Not when one’s talking about Gen-4 Hyundai Tucson. This diesel two-litre blows its 2.0 petrol sisters into the weeds; a full two seconds quicker through the zero-to-100 dash and 20 km/h faster at the top end.  

The South African range comprises four offerings spread across three trim levels, two engines and two automatic gearboxes. They are naturally aspirated, petrol-powered 2.0-litre versions with updated Smartstream motor in Premium, Executive and Elite trims, fitted with six-speed transmissions, and a Smartstream two-litre diesel that comes in Elite only and uses an eight-ratio ‘box. All are front-wheel driven. We tested an Elite diesel.

Updated for this generation, the two-litre diesel gained an aluminium block and reverted to belt-driven camshafts. Bore was reduced by one millimetre and stroke increased by 2.3 mm to increase capacity from 1995 cc to 1998. A touch more puff from the blower increased outputs from 131 kW and 400 Nm to 137 kW and 416 Newton-metres.

Built on a new platform, new Tucson is 150 mm longer, at 4630 mm on 85 mm more wheelbase, 15 mm wider and five millimetres taller. Luggage space expanded by 51 litres and ground clearance went up nine. Body construction is stiffer and stronger than previously, with mass reduced by about 120 kg.
 
New Tucson features Hyundai's "parametric-jewel" grille with hidden lighting (demonstrated here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM3l5islVIE ), geometric daytime running lights, reshaped fenders, angled wheel wells, a so-called level roofline and short overhangs. Interior fittings include a fully digital instrument cluster on Elite models and a vertical, 10.25-inch touchscreen with capacitive buttons. Despite the virtual instruments being hoodless, we weren’t bothered by any random reflections on them during our time with the car.

In a nod to “coolness” the instruments change colour with each driving mode selected; blue for Eco, silver for normal and red for sport. In smart mode the instruments remain silver but the SMART indicator lettering changes colour as one’s driving style adjusts to suit each moment.

Although entry-level Premium offers only fabric upholstery, halogen headlights, manual air conditioning, 4.2-inch SuperVision cluster, manual seat adjusters and ordinary cruise control, safety isn’t short-changed. It’s fitted with six airbags, reversing camera with guidelines, ABS with EBD, ESP and stability management, downhill brake control and hill-start assist.

More features and safety kit are added as specifications progress but even top-model Elite thankfully does without certain fiddly things like gearshift paddles and petulant “reminders” that one has dared to open the driver’s door while the engine is running. There are still manual gates on farms, and some suburban driveways, in case certain manufacturers forget.

Speaking of farms, the Tucson behaved very well – confirming what we found during the 2016 launch of the previous models - along our gravel-road test section that, while not awful, nonetheless includes potentially tooth-rattling parts with nasty ripples, embedded stones and wee potholes.

Gearbox: Regular torque converter box works as well as VW’s twin-clutch units. Manual override is by stick only; holding selected ratios until the driver chooses to change.

Engine response: Hauls ass; about 1800 rpm at 120 km/h in top, just below the peak torque band with plenty of thrust still available.

Loading area: Sill is at about 72 cm, flat floor, 12 volt socket, one light, two bag hooks, four lashing rings, cargo cover, full-size alloy spare under floorboard, 40:60-split seatbacks that fold flat.

Back seat area: 8/10 for tall passenger headroom despite skyroof using up some space, 10/10 knee- and footroom, armrest with two cup holders, three head restraints, 2 ½ seatbelts, map pockets, top tethers for the ISOFix mountings, second courtesy lamp, one-litre bottle holders in each door, two powered USBs and repeater vents at the back of the console.

Cockpit: Both warmed and vented leather seats power-adjustable with lumbar support for driver, lots of headroom, big armrest box, two cup holders, electric parking brake, almost full length skyroof with powered shutter blind, front sunroof that tilts and slides, some wind noise at 90 km/h and gentle hair flutter at 120.

Verdict: Big, comfortable and more than enough power. Very acceptable.

Test unit from Hyundai SA press fleet


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 or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.

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.

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