2018 Hyundai Tucson 4WD Review
Car Tested: 2018 Hyundai Tucson 4WD; Road Test No. 949
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 30.62 lakhs
With 4WD, the Hyundai Tucson is a very compelling package now
Hyundai had introduced the 3rd generation Tucson in India in 2016 but until now the SUV wasn’t offered with a 4WD option. Some of its rivals like the Volkswagen Tiguan, Jeep Compass and Mahindra XUV500 come with 4WD and it was natural for Hyundai to sit up and take notice. The Korean automaker introduced a new trim in the Tucson line-up some time back and it comes with a 4WD system. We take it on a test to find out how good it is off the road.
Motor Quest: The first generation Tucson was launched in India but it sold in very few numbers. The second generation of the car was skipped for the Indian market while the third generation Tucson was launched in India in late 2016 and post 11 months of the initial launch, the 4WD variant was launched.
There is no difference in looks between the 2WD and 4WD Tucson except for the 4WD badging at the rear
Exteriors – In terms of design and styling, the 2018 Hyundai Tucson 4WD retains the identical styling cues as the Tucson 2WD model. There isn’t anything apart from the 4WD badging in the boot lid that differentiates the 4WD from the 2WD car. That said, the Tucson does look imposing with the large hexagonal chrome grille flanked by dual-barrel LED headlamps on either side. The aggressively styled bumper houses the fog lamps as well as the wedge-shaped LED DRLs. The 18-inch diamond-cut alloys and the LED tail-lights have been carried over from the 2WD variant and the rear spoiler and the twin chrome exhaust give the SUV the much-needed stance.
The fit and finish of the cabin is simply great
Interiors – Hop inside the cabin of the 2018 Tucson 4WD and you’ll realise that the interiors too are identical to the 2WD model. The Korean carmaker has carried over the dual-tone black and beige dashboard and the fit and finish levels are what we have come to expect from a Hyundai. An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto sits flush in the centre console. In terms of features, you get dual-zone climate control, push-button start, electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs, leather upholstery, rear AC vents, electric parking brake, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, ARKAMYS Sound System and a reverse parking camera with adaptive guidelines. However, an electric sunroof is sorely missed, especially considering that the Verna and Elantra come with a sunroof. Seat comfort and the space on offer at the rear is identical to the 2WD variant. The driving position is very car-like as you don’t sit high enough.
Performance – The 2018 Hyundai Tucson 4WD is available only in the 2.0-litre diesel AT variant. The oil-burner produces the same amount of power and torque as in the 2WD model – 185 PS and 400 Nm. Performance is very similar to the Tucson 2WD model. Hyundai’s diesel engines are known to be the most refined and the 2.0-litre unit is no different. There is a good amount of low-end and mid-range punch but the powerplant gets vocal as the speeds rise, hence the top-end is quite noisy. The diesel mill redlines at around 4300 RPM and the turbo lag is well contained. The 6-speed automatic transmission is slick shifting but only on part throttle. Floor the accelerator pedal and there is a perceptible lag in the shifts. There are three driving modes – Eco, Normal and Sport. The Sport mode increases the fun factor by a small amount while the Eco mode lowers down the performance slightly to offer better mileage.
Highlight of this 2.0-litre oil-burner is its low and mid-range performance
According to our VBOX tests, the Tucson 4WD did the 0-100 km/hr in 11.36 seconds
Due to the 4WD, the weight of the SUV has gone up. The 4WD transfers power to all the four wheels, if need be. Predominantly, power is channeled only to the front wheels but if there comes a circumstance where power has to be sent to the rear wheels, the system will take care of that as well. Additionally, power can be transferred to an individual wheel with the help of the Advanced Traction Cornering Control (ATCC) and the Tucson 4WD system also gets a Lock Mode which when activated splits the torque distribution in the ratio of 50:50 between the front and rear wheels. Fuel-efficiency of the Tucson 4WD is slightly lesser when compared to the 2WD model and one can expect around 9 km/l. Couple that with the large 62-litres fuel tank, a range of 500 plus kilometres is guaranteed.
Due to the added weight, the Tucson 4WD feels composed at all times
Driving Dynamics – The Tucson 4WD handles and drives just like the 2WD variant but there is more grip on offer thanks to the 4WD. However, it tends to understeer near the limit but overall, the car feels composed. The steering does weigh up well although the feedback is artificial. The suspension is slightly on the stiffer side and the ride quality for most parts is good. You will feel and hear only the big potholes inside the cabin. High speed stability is good and the all-wheel disc brakes are sharp and shed speeds without any drama.
The SUV is packed with a lot of safety features
Safety and After Sales Service – Hyundai’s vast and extensive dealership network ensures servicing and maintaining the Tucson won’t break a sweat. In terms of safety, the company is offering 6-airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, ESC, VSM, Hill Start Assist and ISOFIX child seat mounts.
The Tucson was always a good package, with the 4WD, it’s even better
Verdict – The Tucson 4WD comes feature-loaded and it can handle mild off-roading too. If you’re someone looking for a diesel automatic SUV which could occasionally handle some rough terrain and give your family and friends the thrills of mild off-roading, the Tucson 4WD makes sense.
The bumper with the skid plate makes the Tucson look rugged and sporty
What’s Cool
* Styling is very good and the Tucson is a looker
* Interior is crammed with features
* Practicality is excellent
* Diesel engine is super refined
What’s Not So Cool
* Sunroof and paddle-shifters missing
* Steering lacks feel and feedback
After the facelifted Creta got a sunroof, Hyundai could add it in the Tucson as well
Further Reading –
2017 Hyundai Tucson Review
2017 Hyundai Tucson Video Review