Hyundai’s new RAV4 fighter tested

Here are five things you need to know about the new Hyundai Tucson.

IT’S NO SHRINKING VIOLET

The previous generation Tucson was a relatively clean and conservative design but the new one is much edgier, with sharply chiselled creases in its flanks and a huge honeycomb grille that dominates the front end. At first sight it can look over the top but after a while it grows on you. Inside, the cabin is a big leap forward in aesthetics and material quality.

The Highlander model we tested has a digital display in front of the driver, while the large centre screen looks far more integrated and up-market than its predecessor. The attention to detail has improved markedly, with soft-touch surfaces and quality fabrics. Our test car had light grey perforated leather-appointed seats that were heated and cooled in the front. There’s also more space throughout the cabin and the load area is generous, despite the fact there’s a full-size alloy spare under the floor.

PREPARE YOURSELF FOR STICKER SHOCK

At the end of its life the previous model was being run out for $32,990 drive-away. The starting price for the new model is roughly $38,000 drive-away. Things get expensive at the top end of the model range, too. The top-spec Highlander starts at about $50,000 and nudges $57,000 for the diesel all-wheel-drive. You can buy versions of the larger, seven-seat Santa Fe for less.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

The price rises are justified by a huge leap in equipment, safety and technology for the Tucson. Tech highlights on the Highlander include wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, an excellent Bose sound system, automatic tailgate, mood lighting, satnav and four USB outlets. A notable omission is the lack of a head-up display, which is available on some competitors.

IT’S A SAFE BET

Part of the reason for the big price increase from the previous model was the decision to make the latest and greatest active safety tech standard across the range. The Tucson’s blind-spot alert set-up is more sophisticated than most in that it will pull you back on course if you try to change lanes when something is in your blind spot. On the Highlander it will also display a camera feed of your blind spot in the driver display. While other cars will warn you with a beep if you’re reversing out of a driveway into the path of an oncoming car, the Tucson will hit the brakes. It will also stop rear-seat passengers from opening the door when a car is passing. If a crash happens, there’s an extra airbag between the driver and front-seat passenger to stop them clashing heads.

THERE’S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MODELS

The cheapest Tucson looks appealing as it’s considerably cheaper than the top-spec Highlander, but there are downsides. It’s front-drive only, the engine is less powerful and it has one less gear ratio. The non-turbo 2.0-litre gets vocal when pushed and can struggle up hills or when overtaking with a full load on board. It’ll get the job done eventually but the 1.6-litre turbo has more power (132kW v 115kW) and a load more torque (265Nm v 192Nm) available much lower in the rev range. The end result is a more relaxed drive. It’s also more fuel efficient. The rest of the driving experience is above-par for a mid-size SUV. It sits flat through corners, remains composed and comfortable on patchy surfaces and steers predictably. The dual-clutch transmission keeps the engine bubbling along nicely in its sweet spot, although it can get indecisive during low-speed parking manoeuvres.