SINGAPORE –
Hyundai’s all new, third-generation mid-sized sport utility vehicle (SUV), the Tucson, has made landfall in Singapore. CarBuyer understands a pre-production model is currently undergoing homologation with regular production units slated to go on sale within the coming weeks. Prices are not yet available at time of print.

The first Tucson debuted in 2004, and it looked hugely different, since with the second-gen (2009 on) model Hyundai made huge steps forward in every aspect. In accordance with the Korean way of updating the heck out of all their cars (Kia and Hyundai, anyway) we last drove the Tucson at its 2013-2014 facelift last year.

Then, the car received mild exterior updates (LED taillamps, new front trim etc) but the major plus points were the new ‘Nu’ 2.0-litre engine and the 4.2-inch driver’s instrument display. Read the review on CarBuyer.com.sg for the full skinny on that.

That’s significant because the new Tucson retains the same power unit, so we can expect the performance specs to be very similar. It’s quite different in all other areas though: The Tucson has an all-new exterior and runs on a novel platform that will also underpin, as before, its corporate brother the Kia Sportage.

CarBuyer has obtained the actual equipment list for the car as it will be sold by local dealer Komoco here. All other performance and measurement specs are from international sources, so are to-be-confirmed for Singapore.  

Design
It surely does look more mature and very European, with the prominent front end (check out those massive headlights, which have LED main beams as standard), very contoured belt and shoulder line features and a nicely finished rear end too – rather BMW X-esque, we think. Group design boss Peter Schreyer says his team tried to make the car look bolder and stronger, and also introduced the new Hyundai signature, the hexagonal grille, at the same time.

Dimensions

The car is slightly longer, wider, but lower than before, probably a nod to the modern trend of having SUVs that look more like coupes – see the Honda HR-V and BMW X4 for good examples. A more significant change is the 30mm increase in wheelbase, which, along with better packaging, Hyundai claims will offer improved passenger room. The boot can stow 513-litres, which is less than the current car’s figure of 590-litres.

Drivetrain
It’s confirmed that the new Tucson will be offered here with a 2.0-litre, naturally-aspirated ‘Nu’ engine as found on the previous model – in that iteration, it made 166bhp, 191Nm of torque, 8.4L/100km and 200g/km of CO2 emissions. 0-100km/h was 11.6 seconds and a top speed of 175km/h. With what is likely an identical six-speed automatic transmission, the new car’s figures should be very similar.

Also confirmed for Singapore is a 2.0 turbodiesel unit. Hyundai offers three diesels globally, a 115bhp 1.7-litre, and 2.0-litre in 136bhp and 186bhp outputs, but there’s no confirmation on which diesel it’ll be. Given the tax and CEVS laws, it makes more sense for thr 186bhp to be sold here – all Tucsons are Category B COE cars anyway.

All cars for Singapore will be front-wheel drive. Sadly the 175bhp turbocharged gasoline 1.6-litre engine (with optional dual clutch transmission) is not available for our market.

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Suspension/Chassis
Hyundai says its novel shock-absorber mounting structure is 109 percent stiffer, while the shocks themselves are new Sachs units. The front suspension is a MacPherson design, while the rears are multi-link units. There’s a Drive Mode select switch which affects the drivetrain and steering characteristics.

Hyundai also claims to have improved the steering greatly – the ‘FlexSteer’ selectable steering in some of its current cars having been roundly criticised for lacking feel. The electric power steering has an ‘improved’ motor and uses aluminium in its rack construction for better stiffness – overall friction has been reduced 20 percent, says Hyundai.

Platform
The new platform is made up of 50 percent high-strength steel, compared to 18 percent for the current Tucson. Hyundai says the overhangs remain the same, while the wheelbase is stretched, for better vehicle dynamics. Improved bushings, structural adhesives and hot-stamping techniques also improve handling and reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). To help improve refinement further, the engine mounts are larger, there’s more sound insulation all around, the coefficient of drag has been lowered by 0.02 to 0.33 Cd and even the door latch mechanisms have been ‘extensively refined’.

Interior
Along with the claims of better refinement, the interior has also undergone a total revamp with what Hyundai says is better, more premium materials and improved switchgear. The rear loading aperture is wider, there’s a dual-load floor, while the second row seats can recline up to 37 degrees backward. The photos show international European/USA versions of the car with in-built nav and infotainment screens, though local versions won’t have those features, sadly. We will have a standard radio/USB/CD player with Bluetooth connectivity, though.

Equipment
Judging from the spec list, the Tucson will be offered in identical trim levels for diesel or petrol, and it’s quite a decently populated list too: There’s LED lights all around (DRL, mainbeam, tail lights), electric front seats, front and reverse cameras, automatic climate control, wipers and lights, powered tailgate, panoramic sunroof, blindspot detection, park assist (auto parking), keyless start and 18-inch alloy wheels.