S YOU WILL HAVE INFERRED Photography: Rohit G Mane from our long term test reports, A the Tucson is one of the more popular SUVs in our fleet. It GLS 4WD deserves to sell in stronger numbers than it currently does and to give it a boost, it now Does four-wheel drive enhance the appeal of the range topping gets the option of all-wheel drive. Hyundai, now that the Santa Fe is out of production in India As with the regular front-wheel drive Tucsons, the makes 185bhp and 400Nm of torque; there is no change in the the past and that is a welcome improvement. output. But now, thanks to the 4WD, it does The handling remains safe and reassuring with a much better job of putting its power down. good body control, not a great deal of body roll Where the steering would squirm and front and a lifeless steering. wheels spin up under hard initial acceleration On the styling front there is nothing to on less-than-grippy tarmac, resulting in the differentiate the 4WD Tucson apart from the ESC cutting in, the 4WD Tucson accelerates badging on the (electrically operated) tailgate without any drama. The improved traction and that, we feel, is a miss. After all, if you’re on the 4WD Tucson becomes even more paying more for the 4WD variant (`48,000) apparent on gravel tracks. This is probably you want your SUV to scream it. It doesn’t get the one area that we found our long term test truth be told, this is an SUV that works best any extra kit either, not even a sunroof which Tucson lacking. On the last climb up to our on the road where the stable handling and we all expected the range-topper to get. farm house, the Tucson needed a good run up polished road manners will be appreciated. At `25.19 lakh ex-showroom the 4WD to build momentum lest it spin the front tyres Speaking of hill descent, the lower GL-spec Tucson slots between the Compass and and send a dust cloud towards the house. Tucsons, in addition to Downhill Brake Control Tiguan and is only available in the top-spec This 4WD Tucson does the climb without any (DBC), now also get Electronic Stability Control GLS trim with the diesel-automatic. It’s a price drama and that makes it feel more like an SUV. (ESC) and Vehicle Stability Management that knocks on the doors of premium German The 4WD is an on-demand system that (VSM). brands and that, in the main, is why you don’t is natively front-wheel drive and sends drive On the road there really isn’t much to see too many Tucsons on the road. As for to the rear wheels only when it detects slip; differentiate the 4WD Tucson from the FWD ability and capability the Tucson, now with the technically it is an all-wheel drive system. For save the better traction when accelerating addition of 4WD, is an even better package slippery surfaces it also gets a 4WD lock that with vigour from traffic lights or toll booths, and prospective buyers would be doing splits the power 50-50 front to rear so there’s especially in Sport mode. What we did notice themselves a major disservice if this SUV isn’t no delay. There is also hill descent control if was the brakes now have better feel and aren’t at the top of their consideration list. L you’re really thinking of going off-road though as spongy on the Tucsons we have driven in Sirish Chandran (@SirishChandran)

Specification Engine Power Torque Top speed 0-100kmph Price 4-cyl, 1995cc, turbo-diesel 6-speed auto 182bhp @ 4000rpm 400Nm @ 1750-2750rpm NA NA `25.44 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

+ Better traction thanks to 4WD, polished dynamics, powerful motor - Not meant for going off road, expensive evo rating ;;;32

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