New Tucson debuts with finest SUV ideals

Hyundai Motors Nigeria, has unveiled the face-lifted Tucson compact Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with some of the finest on/off road ideals.

Addressing journalists at a media preview in Lagos, Head Sales and Marketing, Hyundai Motors Nigeria, Gaurav Vashisht, said the vehicle replaces its predecessor, and has been refreshed with better SUV capabilities and a superb mix of interior refinement, ride comfort, astonishing reliability, fuel economy and advanced safety features.

Also remodeled with gorgeous niceties, the new Tucson, according to him, is Hyundai’s icing on the cake, which could prompt a gawk among competitive vehicles in the practical SUV segment.

Already, a toast of local automobile freaks, the Tucson will be prowled in a segment with such challengers as Honda CRV, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV-4, Nissan Kicks, and Chevrolet Equinox.

But Hyundai is quick to say the new Tucson offers more equipment for the money, with attractive trim levels, each delivering unprecedented apparatus for their respective points.

The Evolution trim level (the only available model in Nigeria) for instance, is a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine equipped with 164hp and mated to a front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission.

Tucson’s swanky dimension also offers additional three inches length; 1.1-inch width and 1.2-inch-longer-wheelbase to reaffirm the vehicle’s practicality.

The result, of course, is a spacious and refined interior; passenger-friendly cabin especially for the rear occupants and a 60/40 split rear seat, providing ample thigh support and plenty of legroom even for a six-footer up front.

The cargo area has also been widened for easier loading and offloading with added bonus on the floor (that can be lowered by two inches) to accommodate more shipment.

Vashisht, who acknowledged these transformations said the Tucson is a driver’s delight with appreciable reputation for everyday commuting.

He underscored the vehicle’s performance that reaches 60mph (97km) in just 7.9 seconds, which is quick for cars in this class.

Couple with these significant improvements is Tucson’s five inch touchscreen LCD display; the steering and suspension, which provides a robust suspension component, upgraded dampers and new hydraulic-type bump stops, Mr. Gaurav explained.

He said: “Drivers of the new Tucson would undoubtedly appreciate Hyundai’s Flex Steer System available on the model for the first time as well as a remarkably distinctive Standard Drive Mode Select System that alters steering effort, transmission shift programming and throttle response in variance with the three settings – Normal, Eco and Sport.”