2022 Hyundai Tucson review

The new 2022 Hyundai Tucson is visually striking, but that’s only half the story

While Hyundai still grapples with the fallout owing to a recall of certain third-generation Tucsons dating back to 2015, a stylish fourth-generation has arrived to shrug off the bad press and tilt consumer sentiment back in its favour. Just how well the 2022 Hyundai Tucson will achieve this is up for debate, but given it sits in the ever-growing medium SUV category, there’s a lot riding on it for the brand.

How much does the 2022 Hyundai Tucson cost?

Available in three variants – Tucson ($34,500), Tucson Elite ($39,000) and Tucson Highlander ($46,000) – it’s between $800 and $2800 more expensive than the outgoing vehicle. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid Tucsons, available overseas, won’t be offered in our market.

With Hyundai touting the new Tucson as “tomorrow’s car” and focusing on its high-tech features, not including what are generally considered to be powertrains of the future (i.e. electric) seems like a misstep.

What tech and safety does the 2022 Hyundai Tucson have?

The interior certainly lives up to current expectations. Cabin space has improved markedly from its predecessor, with its 10.25-inch multimedia display intuitive and sat flush in the centre dash.

There’s a wireless smartphone-charging pad with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, even in the base model, but it misses out on the satellite navigation in the higher specs and has a smaller screen. Other nice-to-haves include USB ports in the front and rear, and a full-size spare wheel.

While it hasn’t yet been ANCAP tested, the high level of standard safety tech should make the Tucson a shoo-in for a top rating. There’s adaptive cruise control, blind spot collision avoidance, lane keeping assistance and safe exit assistance, to name just a few.

The Highlander also gets remote smart parking, 360-degree camera and a blind-spot view monitor.

2022 Hyundai Tucson styling

But it’s the Tucson’s distinctive exterior design that’s most ahead of its time, with a striking parametric grille that incorporates stacked, triangle-like LED daytime running lights. The body blends appealing curves, sharp contours and lines, with high wheel arches and further distinctively-shaped taillights, giving a road presence that’s strong and aggressive.

Adding the N Line option pack (available in Q3 2021) across any of the variants will ramp things up further, with 19-inch alloys, an exterior body kit, N Line badging and a gloss black grille, along with various interior feature improvements.

What is the 2022 Hyundai Tucson like to drive?

Unfortunately, what’s under the hood has a far less exhilarating story to tell. The 2.0-litre petrol engine in the base FWD Tucson puts out 115kW and 192Nm and is matched to a six-speed automatic. That’s 7kW and 13Nm less than the outgoing model and it must now contend with a larger and heavier vehicle.

It won’t present any issues on the daily commute, but its performance limitations were revealed when pressed hard on the mix of back roads and highway driving on our test day.

Two forthcoming powertrain options for the Elite and Highlander variants offer AWD and more grunt: a 1.6-litre turbo petrol with a seven-speed DCT, and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with an eight-speed auto. While we didn’t get to test them, it’s worth waiting 'til their arrival later in the year before making your purchasing decision.

Above: 2022 Hyundai Tucson N Line

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson at a glance

Pros: Exterior design; safety tech

Cons: Underpowered; no hybrid option; only an eight-inch display in base model