Hyundai has given it popular Tucson SUV more than a makeover with a new base model, a new transmission for the diesels, better looks — and a price reshuffle.
There’s a new model called the Go, which, from $28,150, is a bit cheaper than the former base Active was, while the Active gets new status and a $200 price hike to $31,350 for the six-speed manual with petrol power and front-wheel drive.
In all, there are now 11 different Tucsons to choose from in Go, Active, Elite and Highlander trim and in front or all-wheel drive, petrol or diesel, manual or automatic.
It takes some head scratching because there are other equations to be factored in, such as an eight-speed auto for the diesels, a six-speeder for the Go and Active petrol models and a seven-speeder for the turbo-petrol Elites and Highlanders with AWD.
Manual six-cog gearboxes are available for Go and Active, but Elite and Highlander are auto-only.
Most models have 2.0-litre engines, but there are also a couple of 1.6-litre petrol motors in the latter two grades.
A couple of prices are down by $200, but others are up by between $200 and $1900, depending on model and trim.
Standard across the range is a new front end with a chromed grille in line with the so-called hexagonal ‘cascade’ look of the latest i30 and Kona, a high-mounted infotainment tablet with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as standard across the range and the FWD Active X has goodies including leather trim, an 8.0-inch satnav system with live traffic and lifetime map updates, premium audio, rear park assist and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
The Elite gains forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert and people who buy Go or Active X models can get those features, plus lane keep assist and driver attention warning in the optional $2200 SmartSense safety pack.
The top-spec Highlander’s features have been boosted by a heated steering wheel and wireless smartphone charging, and there are sexy new alloy wheels for the whole range, 17s for the Go and Active X and 19s for the Highlander.
What does Hyundai boss Scott Grant say about all this?
“With a crisp new look, greater safety and technology, and a chassis tuned on Australian roads to deliver superb comfort and refinement, 2019 Tucson is an appealing upgrade of Hyundai’s best-selling SUV.”
Hyundai Tucson 2019 pricing:
- Go 2.0-litre petrol six-speed manual FWD – $28,150
- Go 2.0-litre petrol six-speed automatic FWD – $30,650
- Go 2.0-litre diesel eight-speed automatic AWD – $35,950
- Active X 2.0-litre petrol six-speed manual FWD – $31,350
- Active X 2.0-litre petrol six-speed automatic FWD – $33,850
- Active 2.0-litre diesel eight-speed automatic AWD – $39,150
- Elite 2.0-litre petrol six-speed automatic FWD – $37,850
- Elite 1.6-litre turbo-petrol seven-speed DCT AWD – $40,850
- Elite 2.0-litre diesel eight-speed automatic AWD – $43,150
- Highlander 1.6-litre turbo-petrol seven-speed DCT AWD – $46,500
- Highlander 2.0-litre diesel eight-speed automatic AWD – $48,800
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