Hyundai Tucson 2021 Review

The competition in the compact SUV market is becoming increasingly fierce, with consumers valuing both space practicality and higher demands for design, configurations, and cost performance. The 2021 Hyundai Tucson, as a popular contender in this segment, has consistently been one of the options for many family users due to its updated family design language, comprehensive configuration upgrades, and flexible powertrain choices. This time, we got the Public version, primarily to see its real-world performance in daily use scenarios and to compare whether it still maintains its competitiveness against models in the same class.

From the exterior, the design of the 2021 Tucson appears more rugged compared to the previous model. The front features a large hexagonal grille with dense black horizontal slats inside, paired with sharp LED headlight assemblies on both sides, making the front end highly recognizable. The side profile of the vehicle uses simple lines, with a slightly upward-sloping waistline stretching from the front fender to the rear, creating a touch of sportiness. At the rear, the full-width LED taillights are the design highlight, offering a striking effect when lit, and the silver skid plate below enhances the SUV's off-road appeal. The lighting system comes standard with all-LED sources across the lineup, including daytime running lights and taillights, providing good illumination and visual effects when lit at night.

Inside, the interior style of the Tucson Public version leans towards practicality. The dashboard has a symmetric design, covered with soft-touch materials on the upper portion that feel reasonably delicate; however, the details contain relatively more plastic components, making the overall quality feel average. The central touchscreen is 8 inches in size, supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, has decent operational fluidity, and its interface layout is clear and not hard to get used to. The climate control area retains physical buttons, which are more convenient than touch controls when adjusting temperature and fan speed. The seats are covered with fabric material, and the front seats support manual adjustments. Lumbar support and wrapping are average, but they won’t cause discomfort even during long periods of sitting. The rear comes equipped with independent air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, providing reasonable care for rear passengers.

In terms of space, the Tucson’s dimensions are 4500mm×1850mm×1660mm with a wheelbase of 2670mm, making it mid-sized within the compact SUV category. The front seats offer ample room, with a 175cm tall passenger adjusting the seat and still having about a fist’s width of headroom remaining. The rear space performs well, with approximately two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom, and it doesn’t feel too cramped even with three passengers seated. The standard luggage compartment has a volume of 513L, which can expand to 1503L with the rear seats folded down, suitable for carrying several suitcases or large items for daily needs. Interior storage spaces are also reasonably abundant, with the door panel storage compartments, center armrest box, and glove box providing sufficient room for daily usage.

As for performance, the Public version we tested is equipped with a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine with a maximum power output of 156 horsepower and a peak torque of 192 Nm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission (6AT). Power output during acceleration is relatively smooth, requiring a deep press on the accelerator to feel noticeable acceleration. It performs adequately during urban driving but requires reserving enough distance for overtaking at high speeds. The transmission shifting logic is clear and offers good smoothness, though downshifting is slightly slow, causing a bit of delay during sudden acceleration. There are three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Sport mode, throttle response is more active, but overall, the power performance is still geared more towards family use.

In terms of handling, Tucson's steering wheel feels relatively light with average precision. There is a noticeable slack, making it comfortable for daily driving, but it lacks accuracy during intense driving. The suspension system uses a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned towards comfort. It effectively filters small bumps on the road but shows noticeable body undulation when encountering larger potholes. When cornering, the body roll is not too significant, and stability is acceptable, but the support is average, making it unsuitable for spirited driving.

In terms of fuel consumption, after a week of testing, the combined fuel consumption under mixed road conditions is about 8.5L/100km, with city consumption around 9.5L/100km and highway consumption about 7.5L/100km. This performance is considered average among vehicles of the same class. Regarding braking, the 100km/h to zero braking distance is about 41 meters, which is a standard result. The braking process is relatively linear and provides decent confidence.

In terms of driving comfort, Tucson's noise control is average. Wind and tire noise are quite noticeable at high speeds, impacting the cabin's tranquility. The seat comfort is relatively good, with the fabric seats being breathable and not too stuffy during summer. The suspension effectively filters bumps, ensuring a smooth ride on urban roads during daily use.

Overall, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson Public version's strengths lie in its practicality, sufficient configurations, and smooth power, making it suitable for daily family use. Compared to models in the same class, such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, Tucson is more affordable and has a higher cost-performance ratio; however, it slightly lags behind in brand influence and resale value. If you are a family user who values space and cost performance, the Tucson Public version is a good choice as it can meet various needs such as daily commuting and family outings. However, if you have higher requirements for power and handling or prioritize brand value retention, you may need to consider other models.

Based on this test, we believe that while the 2021 Tucson Public version does not have particularly outstanding highlights, its performance in all aspects is relatively balanced. It is a compact SUV suitable for family use, with sufficient space, configurations, and performance to satisfy the needs of most family users. Its cost-performance advantage is relatively strong among its peers. If you are looking for a practical and durable family SUV, the Tucson Public version is worth considering.