Pegasus Post: October 26, 2023

8 Thursday October 26 2023
Incorporating
best motorbuys
www.drivesouth.co.nz
Punchy take-offs ensured with Tucson
ADDING PLUG-IN hybrid
technology means one of
Hyundai’s best-selling SUVs,
the mid-sized Tucson, is just a
step removed from taking the
inevitable full electrification
plunge.
With its bold looks, digital
capabilities, and upgraded ride
and handling, Hyundai expects
this Tucson to add significantly
to the more than 7 million sold
globally since the original model
was launched 19 years ago. For
Motoring with Bob Nettleton
our market, the Tucson is only
sold in short-wheel base form,
while its cousin the Kia Sportage
rides on a long-wheel base.
The Tucson Hybrid comes
in 2WD and AWD forms with
the plug-in model exclusively
AWD, and road tested here in
top spec Elite guise. Power is
distributed to the front and rear
wheels depending on traction
conditions, while the Terrain
Mode selector maximizes power,
torque and braking depending on
the conditions you’re driving in.
The Tucson plug-in hybrid
isn’t cheap compared to many
of its rivals with the entry-level
version retailing for $83,990,
with a $5000 premium on the
more lavishly attired Elite. This
pricing pushes it over the $80,000
price cap to qualify for a $4000
clean car rebate available until
31 December, when the new
government pulls the plug on
the two-year-old clean vehicle
scheme.
A high tempo 195kW plug-in
hybrid powertrain is strong and
feisty with acceleration that
bristles with sporty intent. It’s
not just show – it’s got plenty of
go too. A rich vein of torque and
the extra kick of the fully charged
battery pack, ensures punchy
take-offs from standing starts,
and purposeful pulling power
for most driving situations.
These attributes make light work
of undulating roads and long
energy draining uphill grinds.
The plug-in has an all-electriconly
range of up to 65km, similar
to several rivals including the
Mitsubishi Eclipse and Ford
Escape. Both pack a much lighter
performance punch than the
heavy hitting Tucson PHEV’s
195kW.
For a model with glowing
fuel economy credentials, the
test car was disappointing. I
knocked off a 500km roadie in
it with four adults on board, on
a trip covering some sections
of hilly driving, and averaged
Ratings out of 10: Performance 8; Handling 7; Build
Quality 7; Comfort 7; Passenger and Load Space 7; Avg fuel
consumption on road test 6.8L/100km; Value for money 6;
Safety – Five Star ANCAP crash rating. No clean car fee.
Overall points out of 10: 7.5
7.3L/100km. That number is well
north of the claimed 1.5L/100km.
This might be doable in low
speed town driving when the car
can spend extended periods in
EV mode, but well out of reach
on open road romps.
Expertly managing what is
one of the more potent non-full
EV’s on Hyundai New Zealand’s
books is a smart rework of
the company’s proven 7-speed
automatic.
For a compact SUV, front and
rear legroom is adequate rather
than generously provisioned. I
found the rear door openings
too narrow to easily navigate
bulkier items through, like child
car seats. The rear cargo hatch
does the job, but isn’t helped by
the batteries being stored under
the floor, raising its elevation and
restricting load height.
SUV buyers demand top rate
connectivity in their vehicles
these days and the Tucson has
that well covered with some of
the best in class digital tech.
Hyundai’s Digital Key is great,
turning your smartphone into a
smart key.
The suspension is sportier than
many hybrids with its nimble
and playful character, and
composed in managing sudden
deviations in the road surface.
No complaints about passenger
comfort that is largely free of the
choppy listless ride traits of some
short wheelbase SUVs.
Little in the way of suspension
noise penetrates the passenger
compartment, even under
severe provocation from sub
standard roads. Well weighted,
communicative steering responds
quickly to the driver inputs,
and allows you to accurately
and effortlessly place the vehicle
where you want it on the road.
This vehicle puts fun with a
capital ‘F’ into the sub $90,000
plug-in hybrid class.
EST 1973
Opposite
Uprising
Rock
Climbing
CAR CITY
196 FERRY
ROAD!
Ph (03) 379 4254
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SOLD
5 sPEEd
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FROM NO
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goes good.
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