A welcome (turbo) boost for Hyundai’s Tucson

Singapore — Downsizing, the practice of adopting engines with smaller capacities thanks to more efficient technologies like turbocharging, is here in a big way. It has infiltrated almost every segment of the market, with everyone from Honda to Ferrari now on the bandwagon.

But one area remains largely untouched by turbos: The mass market, where everyman cars like the Hyundai Avante, Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla Altis reign.

The newest version of Hyundai’s Tucson sport utility vehicle (SUV) changes that.

A TURBO FOR THE EVERYMAN

We know what you are thinking — a S$130,000 mid-sized SUV is not exactly “everyman”. Yet the turbocharged engine it now packs under the bonnet could well be.

While this turbo Tucson is new to Singapore, Hyundai has been ahead of the curve for some time. Its first turbocharged engines appeared a few years ago, but few made the jump to the region, thanks to intertwined reasons of cost per unit and smaller right-hand drive markets.

In fact, the 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo engine, codenamed Gamma, is also used in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo hatch, and the Kia Koup (Kia and Hyundai are part of the Hyundai Group). Fitting that engine — all 175bhp of it — in the Tuscon is a big deal as this is the first time the engine has been fitted in a “regular” car.

That sort of grunt, thanks to 265Nm of torque, paired with the mid-sized SUV makes for quick, yet smooth progress. The turbo cuts two seconds off the existing 2-litre non-turbocharged variant’s 0-100kmh time of 11.1 seconds.

This is a big advantage in the real world, and one you can bank on at higher speeds as well for easier overtaking. It is also a more vocal powerplant than the normally-aspirated 2-litre engine, grunting as it delivers its generous load of torque.

DRIVER FRIENDLY

Despite the powerful engine, the Tucson is still more amenable than anti-social. Mated to the engine is a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox that Hyundai has tuned for smoothness so it feels more like a conventional automatic, which is more in tune with the Tucson’s overall nature.

It is one of the more refined and smooth-riding vehicles in its class. Like other SUVs, there is considerable roll but it never feels excessive or out of control even during hard cornering.

The Tucson was also the car that debuted Hyundai’s new, more mature design language, one that confidently said “accomplished Korean car” rather than “bland and safe” like early Hyundais.

There are also lots of useful features to back that up, such as keyless entry/start, automatic rear hatch, LED lights and even blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alerts.

While all this sounds like it will result in a hefty price tag, the 1.6-litre Tucson turbo actually sits in between the current 2-litre offerings, in terms of price. It costs S$7,000 more than the regular GLS 2.0 and S$3,000 less than the upper-spec SR (Sunroof) 2.0 variant.

It seems like Hyundai has the price factor taken care of, given current COE prices. The car maker’s i30 hatchback will be launched in Singapore later this year, and is likely to feature an even more affordable 1.4-litre turbocharged engine.

But while the Tucson turbo is a prelude for things to come, it is also a harbinger whose benefits can be enjoyed right now.

HYUNDAI TUCSON TURBO

Engine: 1,591cc, in-line four, turbocharged, 175hp, 265Nm

Performance: 201kmh, 0-100kmh: 9.1s, 9.1L/100km, 178g/km CO2

Price: S$129,999

Available: Now

PROS: Plentiful power, mature design, good equipment

CONS: No full-spec turbo variant