Hyundai Tucson CRDi Elite 2016 new car review

What is the most Kiwi car of all? It is a difficult argument these days. Yes, the Toyota Corolla is the top selling and the Ford Ranger is most popular over all.

However, SUVs are storming up the charts in a way never seen before. Last month the top three models were SUVs – accounting for 36% of all registrations, beating even utes. Of those top three, the Hyundai Tucson Elite was not one of them, which is somewhat surprising.

After spending a week with the Elite CRDi diesel model – second to the top of the range – I am not sure if there is a vehicle that better frames what the average Kiwi needs for transport. It is not too small, or too big for that matter, appears very well screwed together, and drives in a way that will keep pretty much anyone rather happy with their purchase.

Trade Me spent time recently in both the diesel Elite, and petrol Elite Limited. In the Tucson, it is hard not to argue the diesel is the pick. The ‘R-Series’ diesel in the Tucson is moderately-frugal at 6.8-litres/100km on a combined cycle, and continues in the trend of small-capacity diesel engines producing unthinkable power levels, in this case, 136kW and 400Nm of torque.

Teamed to a six-automatic, driving all four wheels, it is a very smooth engine, impressively so, particularly compared to other options in the sector.

The all-wheel-drive system is torque-on-demand, operating mostly through the front wheels. There is a lock system to split power 50/50 front to rear, and hill descent control. Yes, the Tucson will go a little bit off the beaten track, but really it is a city slicker.

Standard wheels on the Elite impress, and look stunning, at 19-inches. Many buyers would go big on a vehicle like this in the aftermarket, and I wonder if the rest would have appreciated the ride advantages smaller rims would bring – and a lower risk of damaging their machined surface against the school kerb.

They do make for a satisfying drive for a high-riding car. Roll is well-controlled, steering direct. An urgent run across a very-wet central Auckland found it very adept.

Electronic brake force distribution makes the list, as does a brake assist system. Autonomous emergency braking is reserved for the top Limited model.

The Limited also gets a lane keep assist system and lane departure warning system. The Elite has the more limited lane change assist – blind spot monitoring as it is normally known. It does get rear cross-traffic alerts, and the usual range of safety features and airbags you would expect on an ANCAP 5-star car.

Aside from the 7-inch touchscreen the systems utilise, it is nothing over inspiring. Probably the point! Good quality plastics, standard leather, switchgear that is where you expect it. The driving position is excellent, and the rear is spacious for what is technically a small SUV.

The driver’s leather seat is 10-way electrically adjustable, both front seats are heated, and the climate-control dual-zone.

There are some great touches. We appreciated the multitude of 12-volt sockets and the standard 6-point luggage net in the cavernous load area.

Personally, I would rather have the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto system the Limited loses, and Hyundai’s lane-keeping system likes to interfere in the steering when it shouldn’t, a little too much for me.

What about the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol? The diesel is a gem and worth the slight cost penalty, and surprisingly feels more refined, particularly the proper automatic transmission versus the petrol’s dual-clutch seven-speed transmission. It is fine once moving but not ideal for Auckland’s crawling stop-start traffic.