2021 Hyundai Tucson now available in Plug-In Hybrid form
Hyundai has released prices and specifications for its all-new Tucson SUV. The entry-level SE Connect model will be priced from £28,495. Whilst the the plug-in hybrid variant of the Tucson will be available in two trim options - Premium and Ultimate. Which aligns with the trims available on the hybrid variants, priced from £39,330 and £42,030 respectively.
Here’s what you need to know.
“The mission of ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ is to elevate the emotional qualities of automotive design. We want our customers to feel moved. With the all-new Tucson, we are introducing its ultimate evolution and a definitive statement about Hyundai’s unstoppable forward momentum,” said SangYup Lee, senior vice president and head of Hyundai Global Design Center.
Exterior
The all-new Tucson will is larger than the outgoing model by being 20mm longer, 15mm wider, the wheelbase will be increased by 10mm, and it will have a much longer bonnet. A light bar runs the width of the boot, with claw-like patterns at either end. It’s not too dissimilar from a Ford Mustang.
Those angular jewel-like lights are really set to appear on the upcoming car. These lights are being called “Parametric Hidden Lights” by Hyundai, and they purportedly completely turn off to leave a flush angular grille design. From the rear, the lights are equally as stunning.
All-new Tucson customers can choose from nine exterior colours overall, including three new ones:
- Shimmering Silver [NEW] with optional Dark Knight roof
- Amazon Grey [NEW] with optional Phantom Black roof
- Teal [NEW] with optional Phantom Black roof
- Phantom Black with optional Dark Knight roof
- Polar White with optional Phantom Black roof
- Engine Red with optional Phantom Black roof
- Sunset Red with optional Phantom Black roof
- Silky Bronze with optional Dark Knight roof
- Dark Knight with optional Phantom Black roof
Interior
You will have the choice between three interior colours for the Tucson:
- One-tone Black (fabric or leather)
- Two-tone Black and Moss Grey (fabric or leather)
- Teal pack (fabric or leather)
The latest fully digital configurable dual cockpit consists of a new 10.25in open cluster and 10.25in AVN-T screen. This offers a personalised space that is intuitively optimised for a high-tech user experience. For example, the colour schemes of the cluster change depending on which drive mode is selected.
As a result of the all-new Tucson being larger than the current model, rear passengers can enjoy 26mm of additional legroom.
The all-new Tucson’s hidden type Multi-Air Mode technology consists of a combination of direct and indirect air vents for air conditioning and heating to create a more pleasant indoor environment with more gentle air flow, which is a first for any Hyundai vehicle.
Trim levels and specs
Three models are offered: SE Connect, Premium and Ultimate. The SE Connect costs from £28, 495 and features 17in alloy wheels, dual-zone air conditioning, cruise control, heated and folding door mirrors, rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. Infotainment-wise, it gets a new 10.25in touchscreen, while the driver benefit from a vivid display of the same size to replace the dials.
It’s available with the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol producing 150hp, while the mild-hybrid version and more potent 230hp options are available too. It gets a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, although automatic gearboxes feature on the mild-hybrid models.
The mid-range Premium is priced from £30,195 and gets 18in or 19in alloy wheels (depending on engine choice), ambient interior lighting, heated front seats and steering wheel, adaptive cruise control with stop go and a rear-view camera. It also gets a premium KRELL audio systems with eight spears and a subwoofer, plus a wireless charging pad for you phone.
Range-topping Ultimate models adds heated rear seats, three-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof with tilt/slide function, and a powered tail gate. You’ll get a raft of extra safety equipment too including Blind Spot warning, Highway Drive Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance.
The car will launch with a variety of 1.6-litre based petrol engines, with all but entry-level models featuring some form of electric assistance. The 150hp mild-hybrid model gets 48V assistance to improve efficiency, while the more potent 230hp model gets a dedicated hybrid drivetrain.
Safety
The Tucson offers best-in-class advanced driver-assistance systems and an active safety package with a range of innovative features. It has been equipped with an enhanced seven-airbag system, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Smart Cruise Control Curve, Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist and for the first time in a compact SUV, Highway Driving Assist, which makes highway driving safer and more comfortable.
Driving and engines
Available with hybrid versions with automatic transmissions, the all-new Tucson backs-up its true SUV credentials with 4x4 capabilities, thanks to its new Terrain Mode selector.
Under the bonnet, you will have the choice of a mild-hybrid petrol with 148hp and 178hp, with the diesel variant producing 134hp. Those that want to avoid the electric versions, you can choose from a 148hp petrol and 113hp diesel model. Four-wheel drive is an optional extra on most powertrain.
The new plug-in hybrid model combines a 177hp turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 90hp electric motor for combined outputs of 261bhp and 258lb ft, and uses a 13.8kWh lithium ion polymer battery, which Hyundai claims offer up to 31 miles of zero-emissions running.
