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Hyundai Tucson N Line (2015 - 2020) Review

Hyundai’s Tucson N Line takes cues from their N range of performance models, but what is it like to drive?

Starting price:
From £25,995

Pros:
  • Super stylish exterior additions over standard Tucson model
  • 1.6 engine packs a punch
  • Very large boot
Cons:
  • Annoying compass digital display on rear view mirror
Buy and save on quality approved and used cars

Introduction

Hyundai’s Tucson has been their dependable compact crossover SUV since 2004 and is now in its third generation guise having had a facelift last year.

In a segment that has become a lot more competitive, especially in the premium sector, manufacturers are going all out to make their offering stand out and with Hyundai’s performance N division proving to be a hit, they’ve added N Line characteristics to the Tucson, so we spent a week with it to see what’s it like.

On The Road

Hyundai Tucson N Line 2019 Review

Performance

We had on test the 1.6 litre CRDi 48v engine which is really nippy, the turbocharged mild hybrid has figures of 136PS with 320Nm of torque, it’s quick yet really frugal.

It came with a 6 speed manual gearbox and although it takes 11.2 seconds to get from 0-62mph it’s the fuel economy figures which are the real winner with this engine. We managed figures of around the late fifties with official Hyundai figures coming in at a combined 65.7mpg. CO2 emissions are just 113g/km so despite its sporty appearance this model will not be expensive to run.

There is a choice of a petrol engine: a 1.6 T-GDi which delivers 177PS with 265Nm of torque and like the diesel comes with a 6 speed manual gearbox or a 7 speed DCT automatic transmission.

Hyundai Tucson N Line 2019 Review

Ride Handling

It’s a really comfortable ride soaking up less than perfect road surfaces with ease and combined with great, solid, steering feedback you can see where the 'N' influence has come into play.

You can even adjust the steering so that it has sportier characteristics with Hyundai definitely wanting to spread the N performance love - even in a compact SUV, and so we can’t fault the drive at all, it’s agile with lots of grip which is great and definitely makes it stand out amongst its rivals in the segment.  If you're looking for a practical yet fun car to drive then this is it.

Hyundai Tucson N Line 2019 Review

Styling

What we really like about this car is the exterior looks amplified by the N line additions which include, N line badges, a dark mesh grille, bespoke front and rear bumpers, while a contrasting black is featured on the roof rails, door mirrors and rear spoiler. It looks very sporty and if you removed the badge you’d think you were looking at one of the German premium offerings, it really is that good.

The interior also has sporty styling cues including N line branded leather and very soft suede seats, a sporty looking gearstick and steering wheel along with red stitching to really enhance the interior trim.

Diesels can often be a bit gruff sounding but this 1.6 litre CRDi is really quite quiet, even when in idle and the cabin is very isolated from exterior noise.

In The Car

Hyundai Tucson N Line 2019 Review

Behind the Wheel

It’s quite a high view in the driver’s seat so all round visibility is good, seats are extremely comfortable supporting you in the all the right places and the suede adds an extra softness, which is needed on long journeys.

Analogue dials come on this Tucson which starts to look dated when you compare it to the offerings from rivals Volvo and Peugeot.

There’s an 8-inch touchscreen, which is not as large as the one in the Volvo XC40 although over that car, smartphone connectivity comes as standard through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

There are USB and AUX sockets along with two 12v power outlets in a space at the bottom of the centre stack, where on this test car there was also a wireless phone charger.

Hyundai Tucson N Line 2019 Review

Space & Practicality

There’s quite a high boot lip but there is a lot of space in the Hyundai Tucson, it comes in at 513 litres and with rear seats folded this increases to 1,503 litres.  The boot also benefits from some space under the floor which is always helpful when filling it up.

It excels as a family car, which is primarily what it was used for during our week with it, as there’s plenty of storage space dotted around it, which is what you need with kids in the car to carry all their toys, drinks and anything they tend to drag out of the house...

The centre armrest is fairly deep which is ideal for a large bottle and door storage is good too all around the car.

Ownership

Hyundai Tucson N Line 2019 Review

Running Costs

The Tucson N Line starts at £25,995 with Peugeot’s 3008 GT Line coming in at £29,095 and Volkwagen's T-Roc R at £38,450.

So what did we think of it? We were very impressed by the Tucson N Line, it has the sporty performance and looks from their popular performance division, it’s a great drive, it feels premium and it’s combined with high levels of practicality. What more could you ask for?

It also comes with a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty, roadside assistance, a 5 year annual health check and a 12 year anti corrosion warranty, Hyundai have got it well covered.

Hyundai Tucson N Line 2019 Review

Quality & Reliability

Forget the badge, this sporty Hyundai has a high quality cabin and like a lot of cars, to make them look classy and premium there is plenty of high gloss black trim which contrasts well against the lashings of red which have been added for the sport factor.

Reliability is an area which Hyundai haven’t faired so well in recent years with the manufacturer lagging behind in reliability surveys, but hopefully they’ll start to turn this around as the Tucson model hasn’t had any major problems since its inception and owners do report good long term reliability with it.

Hyundai Tucson N Line 2019 Review

Safety & Security

There is a decent list of standard safety equipment and driving aids on the Hyundai Tucson N Line including an Active Bonnet System, Lane Keep Assist, Brake Assist, Downhill Brake Control, Hill Start Assist Control and for those towing, Trailer Stability Assist with plenty of airbags to protect all passengers.

For families there are ISOfix points and childproof rear door locks and security comes in the form of an alarm and an immobiliser.

The Hyundai Tucson hasn’t been tested in the EuroNCAP ratings since 2015 when it scored 86% for adult protection and 85% for a child occupant and took the full five stars.

Find out our latest offers for used Hyundai Tucson.

Buy and save on quality approved and used cars
By Olivia Gauch
Nov 24, 2019

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