Hyundai did more than a little tinkering in freshening the 2019 Hyundai Tucson. Sure, there are a number of styling enhancements, like the new Hyundai cascading grille, new headlights, updated front/rear fascias and new taillights. Some noteworthy improvements inside reinvigorate the cabin, including a new center stack topped with a floating touchscreen and a new cluster.
In a move that seems to buck the industry and the Tuscon's competitive segment Hyundai scrapped the 175-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo in the current version. Although the 164-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder remains the standard engine on lower grades, the 1.6-liter turbo is giving way to a 181-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder for the SEL, Sport and Limited trims. This is a small increase in ponies, but a drop in torque from 195 lb-ft to 175. The Tuscon is also losing the available 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Both engines will use a 6-speed automatic to spin the wheels.
There's no shortage of technology. Every 2019 Hyundai Tucson will come out of the box with standard forward-collision avoidance assist (FCA) with automatic braking, as well as lane-keep assist. Available driver-assist/safety features include FCA with pedestrian detection, high-beam assist, a surround-view monitor, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and driver-attention warning. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on all grades.
The Hyundai Tucson is a crucial car for Hyundai – its entrant into the hotly fought family crossover class, its rival to the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Seat Ateca and Ford Kuga. Fortunately for Hyundai, the Tucson is a really well-executed all-rounder that’s pleasant to be in, easy-going to drive and offers a more painless ownership proposition than most - if not all - of its rivals. It’s not a car you’ll ever get up early on a Sunday morning to drive, but its fundamental rightness means the other six days will pass pretty painlessly. We ran a long-term 2.0 CRDi model for six months and it was peerlessly reliable and extremely practical.
For its 2018 facelift, Hyundai recognised there was very little it needed to change, so focused chiefly on smartening up the Tucson’s appearance and making it more futureproof and economical. That’s why you’ve now got the option of all-LED lights to bisect that Audi-in-a-hall-of-mirrors front grille, trick LED tail lights, and a refreshed cabin with a standalone touchscreen this time, so the rest of the dashboard settles lower down and increases the perception of space. Not that the boxy Tucson wants for interior accommodation.
Unimpressive as a frumpy, underwhelming SUV that launched in 2004 before being retired in 2009 in favour of the ix35, it burst back into the Australian market in 2015 as a handsome mid-size sports utility that has stormed up the sales charts. Sold in Australia from $28,590 to $47,450 for versions that include petrol and diesel engines and front- and all-wheel drivetrains, the Tucson mid-size SUV - whether in base Tucson Active (FWD) trim or high-class Tucson HIGHLANDER R-SERIES (AWD) RED spec - has garnered rave reviews from the CarsGuide team for its practicality and on-road performance.
While it had the stage at the New York International Auto Show, Hyundai also brought out its all-electric Kona EV. Although the Kona EV was no secret (it was shown in Geneva), the big news is its range. Hyundai announced it will travel up to 250 miles on a full charge. Its electric motor generates 201 hp, delivering 291 lb-ft of torque. Using a Level III Charger, 54 minutes is required to bring the battery to an 80 percent charge from empty. More than 9 hours is required with a Level II Charger.
How Much?
Hyundai didn't announce pricing for either the Tuscon or the Kona EV. Including the factory delivery fee, the current Tucson starts at $22,250, while pricing for the gasoline-fueled Kona begins at $20,450.
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