After we first drove the brand new era of Hyundai Tuscan, we famous that it had lastly been blessed with the seems and chops to face out as a section chief. That is a giant declare when the best-selling car that is not a truck is the Toyota RAV4, and vehicles just like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are within the combine. Within the compact crossover section, opponents vying for prime honors lose footing for flaws that might’ve been forgiven a couple of years in the past. Living proof, the Mazda’s CX-5’s occasional confusion about what gear it needs to be in. And since we first drove the brand new Tucson, Honda has revamped the CR-V with a brand new era that we could not discover fault with, and the RAV4 remains to be merely wonderful. That is what the Tucson goes up in opposition to, and for it to come back out on prime, it needs to be faultless. We spent per week with the Tucson in N Line specification to get a greater really feel for the crossover and are available to a conclusion.
Styling: Slicing Edges Styling
Whereas Honda is ironing out its quirky designs and Toyota is making the RAV4 appear like each different Toyota SUV and truck, Hyundai is setting itself aside. The Tucson manages to be totally different with out being too quirky, and there is sophistication in these sharp creases and angular traces. Each automobile on the highway now has a flashy grille, however Hyundai has built-in its headlights and working lights into the intricate styling of its “parametric jewel” design. Hyundai despatched us the N Line trim, which will get an elaborate design factor added to the grille, which the producer suggests creates”extra reflections,” relying on the angle. The N Line additionally will get a bigger, squared-off bumper with extra outstanding air consumption. The bumper repeats itself in model on the again and has a silver skid plate added. The lights additionally get new bezel frames and a brand new spoiler sits on the again. The entire package deal rides on distinctive 19-inch wheels.
Inside: Easy However Trendy
Hyundai may have carried on the edgy styling contained in the car, however as a substitute, issues are stored easy, with the flashiest factor not being significantly flashy. The dashboard design appears to curve proper into the door trim and makes for a reassuring and comfortable cockpit-type really feel, however with out truly being constricted. Rear passenger house is vital in a compact crossover, and the Tucson has house for youths to develop into and room for taller adults that will not really feel cramped over quick journeys. Roominess apart, neither the usual 8.8-inch touchscreen on the bottom mannequin nor the bigger 10.25-inch display screen added to the higher trims is misplaced.
Infotainment: Virtually High Tier
At the moment, Hyundai beats out Toyota and Honda on infotainment. The screens are clear, the consumer interface is crisp and concise, and options like Hyundai’s digital key smartphone app are wonderful. Most significantly, wi-fi CarPlay and Android Auto are customary, one thing that needs to be a given on vehicles designed for small households and common commuting as we head into the 2023 mannequin yr. The place issues take a dip is increased up within the trim ranges, the place the improve to a Bose audio system occurs. We have but to listen to a Bose audio system we might need in our personal automobile, and that is no totally different for the Tucson, sadly.
Powertrain: All The Choices
Hyundai has taken a blanket strategy to drivetrains with the Tucson. You’ll be able to have gas-only energy, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid energy. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower is customary on gasoline fashions, and like all the bottom engines in non-premium compact crossovers, it is enough for energy and good for gasoline economic system. The N Line mannequin provides no further energy, only a extra aggressive response to inputs from the engine administration software program. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants include a 1.6-liter turbo inline-four with an electrical motor, all-wheel drive as customary, and 226 hp and 261 hp, respectively.
Whereas the gas-only engine makes enough energy, the 8-speed transmission is well-tuned, and we could not discover any fault. In Sport mode, throttle response is sharpened, and shifts come later within the RPM band. Whereas no one will likely be blown away by the N-Line’s sportiness, it is enjoyable to hustle round in Sport mode.
On The Street: Nicely Mannered And Squared Away
A curiosity of the N Line mannequin is that the push-button drive choose system is changed by a conventional shift selector. That is smart for shifting modes on the fly, however we’ve no subject with the push-button system. Regardless of the sport-tuned suspension, the N Line mannequin nonetheless has agreeable trip high quality and is completely suited to a day by day commute. It comes into its personal when it is time to hustle, although, and with the Tuscan’s responsive steering, it is enjoyable to get the automobile into corners. The N Line is extra about seems than efficiency, although, and you will need a full-fat Hyundai N mannequin if you wish to carve up the again roads commonly. In case your weekly schedule consists of again roads, although, and also you just like the styling, there is a good argument for selecting the sportier trim. For cruising, we might take a non-sport-trimmed Tucson, as that is the place the crossover shines; within the N Line, you are feeling the stiffer suspension and greater wheels affecting trip high quality.
Ought to You Get The Tucson In N Line Trim?
The N Line trim is an indulgence in a category of automobiles the place affordability is a key issue. Beginning at an MSRP of $31,200 in FWD guise for 2022, there may be worth for cash when you’re into the Tucson N Line’s styling and a again highway is a part of your commute. In any other case, if you need extra energy and higher gasoline economic system, the hybrid fashions are a greater wager at a couple of thousand extra; the Tucson remains to be enjoyable to drive with out the upgraded suspension and throttle and transmission mapping. There is no N Line trim on the hybridized variations of the Tucson, although. We would not file the Tucson N Line away as an fanatic’s automobile, however for somebody that desires to look good and sometimes choose up the tempo, it has a spot in Hyundai’s lineup.
When it goes up in opposition to the Toyota RAV 4, we favor the Tucson normally. Toyota has angled the RAV4 as a soft-roader with its sportier trims, so there isn’t any actual comparability to the N Line. We nonetheless have to get the brand new Honda CR-V in for a full week, however from our first drive expertise, we consider it is going to be a toss-up. Nonetheless, Honda has leaned into its Sport trims, and so they’re hybrid solely. There’s extra energy there but in addition extra weight. Nonetheless, we might look ahead to the CR-V Sport to hit the dealerships and check drive them each earlier than making a call.