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Road Test: Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDi N-Line

By / 5 years ago / Road Tests / No Comments

Tucson is next in-line for a sporty N-Line makeover and Martyn Collins reckons it hasn’t spoiled this capable SUV.

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SECTOR Compact SUV PRICE £27,285 FUEL 36.2mpg (WLTP) CO2 151g/km (NEDC Correlated)

The first Hyundai to receive a ‘N’ Performance Line-style makeover was last year’s i30. The next to receive an N-Line model, which will be a theme throughout the range, is Hyundai’s fleet favourite SUV – the Tucson.

Linking with the name, the Tucson gets its own unique and sportier look. This means a more aggressive front airdam, with distinctive boomerang-shaped driving lights, smoked chrome grille, new 19-inch alloy wheels finished in black, extended rear spoiler and a racier-style rear bumper design.

Inside, there’s a set of sports seats, attractively finished in leather and suede trim, with red stitching. In addition, there is a leather-trimmed, N-branded, three-spoke multi-function steering wheel, and matching unique leather gear knob for the seven-speed DCT automatic transmission. Alloy pedals complete the look.

We tested the 177hp, 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol two-wheel drive variant. But, in a more interesting move for fleet, Hyundai is also offering a 136hp mild hybrid version of the 1.6-litre CRDi diesel with NEDC Correlated emissions from 113g/km – which is now available across the entire Tucson line-up.

The T-GDi petrol is certainly willing enough to suit the N-Line’s sportier character, but I’m not sure it works best with the DCT automatic, where it feels a bit slow off the line. This can be resolved by pressing the sport mode button, although it has a tendency to spin its wheels in an unruly way.

N-Line changes aren’t just focused on the looks, Hyundai has also revised the steering and suspension. On the road, these modifications aren’t immediately obvious, but push harder and there’s an extra level of dynamic ability not there previously.

So the sportiest Tucson is the pick of the range in my opinion and worthy of serious consideration against the opposition.

FW Rating: 4/5

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Martyn Collins

Martyn has 18 years experience as a motoring journalist, working across a wide selection of B2B and consumer titles. A car enthusiast since his early years, Martyn has a particular interest in the latest models and technology and in his spare time enjoys driving his own Minis.