Hyundai Expands Its Range Of 4x4s With New Tucson

Hyundai’s all new sports utility vehicle, the Tucson, was today unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, marking the company’s expansion of its successful range of 4x4 vehicles, all three with its pioneering 5 year warranty.

The Tucson (pronounced Tooson) marks the entry-level to Hyundai’s 4x4 range and complements the existing Santa Fe and Terracan. The Tucson will compete against the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Land Rover Freelander and Nissan X-TRAIL.

As well as conquest sales from other four-wheel drive cars, Hyundai expects to attract customers who perhaps have not previously considered a 4x4. The added attraction is that the Tucson is a five door-only vehicle, competing against three-door opposition.

The Tucson has a monocoque construction, and sits on a highly modified version of the current Coupe platform. There will be three engine options, including petrol and diesel, and two and four-wheel drive choices. Hyundai expects the diesel version of Tucson to be particularly popular in a segment where more drivers are switching to diesel. Customers will be able to choose between a five-speed manual transmission or four speed H-matic semi-automatic.

The Tucson uses a ‘torque-on-demand’ 4x4 system. The car runs in front-wheel drive until it detects loss of traction, then the 4x4 cuts in. It will then revert to two-wheel drive when adequate traction is detected. Additionally, at speeds up to 30kph, the driver can select permanent 4x4 for extra control when required at the touch of a button.

The Tucson will go on sale in the UK in the autumn, with prices starting at around £15,000.

No details of specification are available at this time.

Hyundai’s pioneering five year, unlimited mileage, fully transferable warranty will come as standard on the Tucson when it is launched in the UK later this year.