Third-generation Hyundai Tucson makes US debut

2016 Tucson

A month after making its world debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the third-generation Hyundai Tucson has leaped across the Atlantic just in time for its American debut at the ongoing 2015 New York International Auto Show (2015 NYIAS).

As far as the exterior goes, things are pretty much the same as the Euro-spec Tucson with the exception of the repositioned LED daytime running lights (DRL). While the European model houses the DRLs below the fog lights in a separate assembly, the American version incorporates the DRLs into the fog light housings.

To recap, the third-gen Hyundai Tucson sports a bold hexagonal front grille flanked by LED projector head lamps while optional 19-inch alloy wheels with a two-toned, turbine motif provide added visual aggression. At the back, LED tail lamps, a rear spoiler and twin, bevel-cut chrome exhaust outlets complete the look.

Under the bonnet lie two powertrain options – a 2.0 litre Nu four-cylinder engine with 164 hp and 205 Nm of torque and a 1.6 litre, turbocharged Gamma engine pumping out 175 hp and 264 Nm. The 2.0 litre mill is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission while a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is mated to the 1.6 litre turbo’ed engine. All-wheel drive is offered as an option on both engine selections.

2016 Tucson

Said all-wheel drive system offers a driver-selectable AWD lock that enables a differentiated torque split between the front and rear axles. Also included is Active Cornering Control which works to direct torque to the wheels with the most traction under adverse conditions. Hill Start Assist and Downhill Brake Control are featured, as well – the latter works to assist drivers either on sharp inclines or declines.

NVH levels have been improved via the addition of larger engine mounts to better absorb vibrations, liberal use of sound insulating material on the inner fenders, underbody, transmission tunnel and all cabin pillars. Elsewhere, the Tucson also boasts better handling and ride comfort thanks to a stiffer chassis and the inclusion of a shock-absorber mounting structure which “employs a dual-reinforcing panel rear wheelhouse design.”

As for the improvements on the inside, Hyundai touts more premium materials being included with emphasis being placed on most contact points throughout the cabin. Optionally available is a full-length panoramic sunroof. Ventilated front seats and YES Essentials stain-resistant pews all round are a segment-first, according to Hyundai. A powered tailgate with an automatic opening function is also featured.

2016 Tucson

In-car entertainment gets taken care of via a standard five-inch touchscreen LCD display with reverse camera capabilities – Apple’s Siri ‘Eyes Free’ integration is an option. Opting for navigation will get you an eight-inch touchscreen setup with apps such as Pandora and Yelp integrated into the system. Audiophiles can choose an eight-speaker audio system that’s available as a cost option.

Safety kit count is more than decent with optional features such as Automatic Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist and Backup Warning Sensors.

Also featured on the third-generation Hyundai Tucson is the firm’s latest Blue Link platform. Under this platform, an array of conveniences can be accessed, be it remote start/stop and locking/unlocking capabilities to roadside assistance accessibility and a stolen vehicle recovery system – accessible via Android Wear products. Three service packages are featured for the Blue Link platform – Connected Care, Remote Package and Guidance Package.

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Gregory Sze

An “actor” by training, Gregory Sze realised that he has had enough of drama in his life. Following his number one passion (acting was actually number two), he decided to make the jump into the realm of automotive journalism. He appreciates the simple things in life – a simple car with nothing but back-to-basics mechanical engineering and minimal electronics on board.

 

Comments

  • failedgear on Apr 02, 2015 at 8:37 pm

    What? Turbo coupled with dual clutch?
    Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 12
    • notyourmama on Apr 02, 2015 at 9:22 pm

      nothing wrong with that.
      your VW, your Ecoboost
      so?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
      • dsgsuck on Apr 03, 2015 at 8:12 am

        Are you blind?
        Dual clutch here and there is not reliable for bolehland heavy traffic jam condition

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 5
        • Same L0rrrr on Apr 03, 2015 at 12:17 pm

          Better wait for second/third/forth hand, save your money.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 7
        • Same L0rrrr on Apr 03, 2015 at 12:39 pm

          lol… get a Japanese cars better! Don’t waste money and time!

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 10
          • eddiekee on Apr 03, 2015 at 6:14 pm

            what do you mean Japanese cars better? My cafeteria manager Jazz has issues since day one. I don’t have any issues with my Hyundai for 10 years and still driving it.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 0
      • S-tronic on Apr 04, 2015 at 5:35 pm

        Hello everyone who is still living in dreamland … whether you like Japanese car or Korean car, in future all cars will be dual clutch. You know why?

        1. Because the technology has become cheaper because almost all car manufacturers have adopted it now.

        2. Only dual clutch offers the feel of driving a manual and the seamlessness of the CVT transmission without feeling detached -unlike CVT which detaches drivers from the feel of driving.

        3. Dual clutch allows handling of more power, even at smaller capacities.

        4. Dual clutch saves on fuel, due to the mechanics of the transmission.

        5. Although there are cases of unreliability of dual clutch in VW and Ford cars, in the long term, it is the engineered to be able to be upgraded, unlike CVT or conventional auto transmission. Therefore, it would be the most reliable transmission, in the near future. That is why the new BMW M3 has gone dual cluthc and so has Porsche’s and even newer Honda’s and Toyota’s (upcoming models)

        Therefore, dual clutch is the future of the automobile. Deal with it!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • jackson91 on Apr 02, 2015 at 11:23 pm

    Waiting to see Hyundai Post-GST pricing.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • No more Value on Apr 03, 2015 at 8:05 am

      Hyundai is junk that nobody want so no need to post gst pricing.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 24
      • Jilbaber (Member) on Apr 03, 2015 at 10:20 am

        Wow..butthurt meh ?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
      • Low Budget on Apr 03, 2015 at 11:02 am

        Korean car haters are junkish, bias against a product without even trying to analyze to see how good are the products or watch the acceptance levels of such products globally.
        Their view is only through the Malaysian coconut shells.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 2
  • roxas on Apr 03, 2015 at 6:31 am

    very very nice! its rear end is gonna set a new trend again

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
    • yawnn on Apr 03, 2015 at 8:13 am

      It’s not new and nothing to shout about, ady similar to Auris, DS3 etc..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
  • hyundai & kia design all mixed up nowadays. this one the interior looks like kia. that rear licence should be position a little higher imo.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
    • Jilbaber (Member) on Apr 03, 2015 at 10:23 am

      It’s a SUV meh, that license plate bracket position is already high enough if it compared side by side to a sedan car..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • & for wheels, all jump into the ‘shuriken’ bandwagon

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • alonso on Apr 03, 2015 at 8:18 am

    Hyundai malaysia, where is you post gst price? Your two sister company have published theirs

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Almost same as Santa Fe exterior…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • kevinwtj on Apr 03, 2015 at 8:25 am

    Just 10 years earlier, hyundai would be expected to come out with designs that were sub-par at best but now it is becoming t norm to expect gorgeous proportionate and strong shapes n lines…well done. However i think t interior could have been more adventurous…reminds me of a dash from the t early 2000s hyundai model.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • Roque on Apr 03, 2015 at 9:13 am

    Proton should rebadge this and call it Proton Lencana

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Joe Hung on Apr 03, 2015 at 9:37 am

    Hyundai = you buy you dai

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 13
    • Low Budget on Apr 03, 2015 at 11:05 am

      Many Hyundai cars more than 10 year old are still serviceable in many 3rd world countries, Hyundai car actually very ‘hard to dai one’.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
      • so zai on Apr 03, 2015 at 12:35 pm

        hah! cockroach also hard to dai.
        silly you. my 20 years old indon build bicycle still usable to this present day.
        reliability/durability is not everything.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
    • BORING!!!!!!!! Next..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 5
  • Joe Hung on Apr 03, 2015 at 9:58 am

    Hyundai = Hyu Buy Hyu Dai

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 9
  • Korean designs of this generation are too ‘evolutionary’….

    design has been your edge guys.. you dont have the brand loyalty or engineering pedigree that cars from other countries have to slack on design..this looks like a jacked up i30…

    The germans(and to an extent Japanese and other conti makes) can do this because they have enough engineering pedigree and history and brand recognition to get away with it.. hyundai and Kia dont… they should lead in terms of bold design and take bigger risks to stand out as they are currently doing..because they are a couple of generations away from being ‘accepted’ for doing a ‘evolving’ design cycle..just imho

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Hyundai-Kia Fan on Apr 06, 2015 at 9:26 pm

    Hyundai Sime Darby should launch this model as CKD instead of the 2nd generation facelift model. Will have to wait for 2 yrs later for this model to be as CKD which is too long. Hyundai must speed up in setting up CKD models.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
 

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