Hyundai Tucson - Variant study

Launched in 2004, the Tucson was Hyundai’s attempt to gain a bit more market share in the compact crossover SUV segment. Initially, things didn’t go as per plan but Hyundai kept on upgrading the Tucson with time to make it a capable contender in the class.

Now, the Hyundai Tucson has matured and is in its third generation. It has years of experience of how to be the desirable vehicle that people wants. Today it sits between its elder sibling, the Santa Fe and its younger brother, the Kona. Hyundai is offering the Tucson in the Philippines in four different variants - 2.0 GL 6M/T 2WD (Petrol), 2.0 GL 6A/T 2WD (Petrol), 2.0 CRDi GL 6A/T 2WD (Dsl), and 2.0 CRDi GLS 6A/T 2WD (Dsl) - and today we are going to do a study of all of them.

2.0 GL 6M/T 2WD (Petrol)

This is the base variant of the Hyundai Tucson. It is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine that has been tuned in a state to produce a max power of 155 PS at 6,200 revs. The peak torque of 192 Nm kicks in at 4,000 revs. The engine is quite refined and pulls the 2,010 kg vehicle with less effort. The transmission with this variant is a 6-speed manual unit.

Even with the base model, you get projection type headlamps, which is a good thing. You also get body colored door handles. The outside rear view mirrors are electrically adjustable but, unfortunately, you have to fold and unfold them manually as the electrical function for this action is missing on this model. You also miss the front fog lamps, roof rack, and mudguard.

On the safety aspect, the 2.0 GL 6M/T 2WD comes with only a single (driver side) airbag, ABS, and child safety rear door locking. And the list ends here. The alloy wheel size on this model is 17-inch with 225/60 R17 tires.

Moving to the interior, you get manual air conditioning, a 3.8-inch infotainment system, a 3.5-inch TFT LCD MID in the instrument cluster, and a storage box with armrest cover and cup holders in the center console. The seats are of fabric, and the steering wheel is of polyurethane with tilt and telescopic adjustment.

2.0 GL 6A/T 2WD (Petrol)

Like the name suggests, this variant features an automatic transmission. And, perhaps, that is the only major difference that you will find between this and the base model of the Hyundai Tucson.

Just like the base model, it also comes with the same 2.0-litre petrol engine. But here the unit transmitting the power to the driving wheels is a 6-speed H-matic unit. Hyundai has tuned this gearbox to make sure that it works well in the dynamic real-world situations. Implementing an automatic gearbox did make this variant a bit heavier at 2,020 kg. The rest of the car is quite similar to the base model.

2.0 CRDi GL 6A/T 2WD (Dsl)

Hyundai offers the Tucson in the Philippines with a diesel engine also. This variant is the base model for the diesel lineup. It features a 2.0-litre CRDi e-VGT diesel engine that is more powerful than the petrol one. It produces a max power of 185 PS at 4,000 revs and a good amount of peak torque of 402 Nm at 1,750 to 2,750 revs. This one, too, gets the 6-speed H-matic transmission.

Apart from having a diesel engine, this variant of the Tucson is similar to the 2.0 GL 6A/T 2WD (Petrol) in every other aspect.

 

2.0 CRDi GLS 6A/T 2WD (Dsl)

This is the top-end model of the Hyundai Tucson. Under the hood is the same diesel engine that we just talked about. The transmission is also the same. What makes it different than the others is a few more additional features to make it suffice to be the top-end model.

The exterior of this model gets electrically adjustable and foldable rear view mirrors. It also comes with fog lamps, chrome door handles, roof rack, and a mudguard at both the front and rear. The wheel size is of 18-inch with tires of 225/55.

The interior is a bit more upmarket with a leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted controls for audio and Bluetooth. You also get a glove box with cooling vents and illumination. To enhance the comfort level, the driver seat is adjustable and there are AC vents for the rear passengers as well.

Hyundai has also increased the safety features in this model by providing one more airbag at the front (passenger side), and ESC with DBC (Downhill Brake Control) and HAC (Hill-Start Assist Control). There is also a rear parking assist system along with a smart key and alarm.

The price for the petrol base model (2.0 GL 6M/T 2WD) of the Tucson is PHP 1.16 million. The automatic variant (2.0 GL 6A/T 2WD) of this model is a bit dearer at PHP 1.25 million. To own the diesel model (2.0 CRDi GL 6A/T 2WD) of the Tucson you will have to spend PHP 1.4 million, and the top-end model (2.0 CRDi GLS 6A/T 2WD) will set you back by PHP 1.72 million.