Hyundai's European-designed Tucson is more attractive than ever

Fast Facts

Verdict:
Another example of the Koreans edging closer to the Japanese and European competition - outstanding

A superb all-rounder: impressive design, interior, gearbox, refinement, comfort and utility

Engine is noisy

The new Hyundai Tucson doesn’t bring to mind Arizona but California, with a snazzy new design and efficiency enhancements

By Derryn Wong

TUCSON, ARIZONA IS the city from which Hyundai’s sport utility vehicle (SUV) gets its name. Ostensibly it’s meant to appeal to the SUV crowd, with images of ruggedness, dust, tumbleweeds, cowboys and backwater cannibalism.

The last bit is obviously stretching it somewhat, but the new Tucson (making this the second-generation vehicle, also known as the Tucson IX overseas) is moving away from the prototypical ‘Giant-American SUV love affair’ experience.

Physically speaking this isn’t the case: the new car is slightly larger overall at 85mm longer, 75mm higher, with the wheelbase and width bumped up by 10mm, bringing it to 4,410mm long, 1,820mm wide, 1,655mm high and 2,640mm between the wheels.

But the real difference to its road presence lies in its looks. For one thing, the design screams sleek and sexy, rather than rotund and rugged like the previous vehicle did. It’s all flared, curvaceous surfaces from top to toe – just check out the hood creases and sculpted flanks.

Little details such as integrated side-mirror indicators, trapezoid headlights and a sleek silhouette give it presence that defies its Korean roots and price tag, even if black doesn’t do full justice to the car’s newfound curves.