Hyundai Tucson N Line S (2024 - )

The Hyundai Tucson is hardly a newcomer to the SUV scene having been first launched back in 2004. It’s now in its fourth generation with the all-new fifth-gen model expected to land later this year. But thanks to some mid-life nips and tucks, along with powertrain and infotainment upgrades, the current model certainly looks anything but dated. 

The five-door SUV boasts distinctive styling with signature lighting that is instantly recognisable thanks to the horizontal lines of daytime running lights that seem to blend into the front grille.

Customers can choose from a range of petrol, mild hybrid, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains as well as generously-equipped trim levels called Advance, Premium, N Line, N Line S and Ultimate. There are manual or automatic gearboxes along with the option of two- or all-wheel drive. The N Line S and Ultimate models are priced identically but offer either a sportier of more luxuriously based trim.

So, plenty of choice and a tempting starting price of £33,105 for the entry-level car. However, we opted for the Tucson Hybrid N Line S model with two-wheel drive and an automatic transmission for our test drive.

Powering our Tucson N Line S test car was a four-cylinder, 1.6-litre petrol hybrid engine delivering 239PS and 379Nm of torque. For a family-focused SUV, it’s sharp out the starting gates with a 0-62mph sprint time of just 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 121mph.

Despite boasting plenty of power beneath the bonnet, the Tucson delivers a comfortable driving experience. It’s a confident motorway cruiser sitting effortlessly at 70mph, but can cope well with more challenging twisting B roads. It’s well-grounded with minimal sign of body sway, although we did notice the engine gets more vocal when driven more aggressively.

The acceleration through the six-speed automatic gearbox is both smooth and responsive and there are drive modes called Eco and Sport to alter the dynamics and performance. In addition, steering wheel paddles can be used to manually change gears in Sport mode or to adjust the strength of the regenerative braking while in Eco mode.

In busier towns and villages, the elevated driving position, along with large windows, result in excellent driver visibility, and there are sensors and cameras to assist when parking.

The steering is nicely weighted with plenty of driver feedback and the suspension set-up does a great job of smoothing out any bumps and dips along the way. The ride is a little on the firm side, but we were driving the sportier version with the largest 19-inch alloy wheels.

It seems like so many modern-day vehicles morph into one another with very few stand-out features to speak of. Clearly, it’s difficult for designers to deviate too far from the norm for fear of scaring away customers with radical styling cues. And that’s where Hyundai has been clever with its Tucson vehicle. It has a striking, but not garish front end with a wide grille that blends seamlessly into the slim, horizontal daytime running lights and there are LED Matrix headlights too, all of which makes this car instantly recognisable, especially at night-time.

At the rear, there is a full-length light bar, along with a chunky bumper, roof spoiler, twin-tip exhausts, a metal TUCSON-branded scuff plate and smart wraparound lights. The look is completed with rear privacy glass, a panoramic sunroof, body-coloured door handles, roof rails and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The interior feels modern and elegant, with high-quality fixtures and fittings throughout, plus lots of N badging as a reminder you are sitting in the sportiest model on offer. The powered seats are upholstered in a smart microsuede and leather mix of materials and these can be heated or ventilated. The rear seats, along with the steering wheel can also be warmed to take the edge off those cold wintry mornings.

The main focal point is the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen that merges into the 12.3-inch digital driver display where all the important information such as speed, fuel levels and navigation prompts can be viewed. Our car also featured a head-up display.

On-board technology includes an eight-speaker Krell premium audio system, full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, voice recognition, sat nav and plenty more besides. The technology is really user-friendly with sharp graphics and fast responses, along with quick keys to favourite functions. 

There is a completely separate panel for all the climate settings and the cabin has an upmarket feel with smart red stitching that contrasts with the black surfaces on the steering wheel, doors, dashboard and seats. 

The Hyundai Tucson is a five-door, five-seat family SUV that covers practicality needs really well. It stretches 4,525mm in length, is 1,865mm wide (excluding door mirrors), 1,650mm tall and has a 2,680mm wheelbase. These dimensions result in a spacious cabin with bundles of room for two adults up front and two more in the back. The middle seat is quite narrow, but would be okay for a youngster.

The boot has a wide-opening powered tailgate and can swallow 616 litres of luggage, a capacity that increases to 1,795 litres with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. There are luggage hooks and nets to help prevent items rolling around, plus a cover so any valuables are kept out of sight from prying eyes.

Additionally, there’s ample storage room inside the cabin with a glovebox, deep central cubby bin, narrow door pockets, seat back nets, front and rear cup holders, a large area beneath the centre console, a wireless charging pad, a dashboard tray for the front passenger, along with four USB-C ports to keep devices connected on the move. 

With family getaways in mind, our Tucson 2WD model could tow a braked trailer or caravan weighing up to 1.5 tonnes.

The Hyundai Tucson line-up costs from £33,105 for the entry-level 1.6-litre petrol model with six-speed manual gearbox in Advance trim. At the other end of the scale are the N Line S and Ultimate grades with the plug-in hybrid powertrain, 4WD and a six-speed automatic transmission – these cars are priced identically at £46,010. 

Our Tucson Hybrid 2WD N Line S model with the automatic gearbox cost £41,345, but the price was bumped up a further £750 due to the Ultimate Red metallic paint upgrade.

According to WLTP testing, our car could deliver a combined 47.8mpg with carbon emissions of 133g/km. This CO2 figure would mean owners face a first-year road tax charge of £540, reducing to the standard £195 fee after 12 months. But as the vehicle’s cost exceeds £40k, owners will need to find an extra £425 from years two to six to cover an Expensive Car Supplement charge.

Business drivers considering the Tucson, as tested, for a company car would see a Benefit in Kind tax rating of 32 per cent. However, exploring the plug-in hybrid route would be beneficial as that vehicle has a carbon emissions figure of 25-29g/km, so the BiK rating would be a more attractive nine per cent.

Hyundai enjoys an excellent reputation for developing reliable vehicles that deliver years of trouble-free motoring. But for added peace of mind, the Tucson is sold with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty as standard.

The popularity of the family SUV sector is showing no sign of slowing down and competition is rife with a wealth of top quality vehicles vying for recognition. One of these is the long-established Hyundai Tucson and our N Line S model offered a classy mix of sporty and bold styling with upmarket interior fixtures. On-board tech is comprehensive, while the all-round performance also impressed. Once you factor in its practicality and excellent safety systems, this model has no shortage of all-round appeal.