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Korean gateway drug
Plug-in hybrids are considered the final stage of evolution of hybrid vehicles - a kind of bridge technology on the way to complete e-motorization. The automotive industry tested Hyundai's new Tucson PHEV as part of our Diary of Change series.
Korean gateway drug
"Awesome! I want one of those!" The author's 20-year-old, car-loving daughter has a big grin on her face as she gets out after a short test drive. Namely from the new Hyundai Tucson, specifically the Tucson 1.6 T-GDI Plug-In 4WD AT Prestige Line. Behind it is the latest generation of the Korean compact SUV, which was first introduced in 2004 and is now also offered as a plug-in hybrid for the first time.
The new Tuscon appears more confident than ever. This is primarily ensured by the striking radiator grille including integrated LED headlights divided into triangles. The drive definitely delivers what the visual appearance promises. The tested plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is the most powerful Tucson drive (it is also available as a pure diesel, gasoline engine, 48-volt mild hybrid and full hybrid). The combination of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a 66.9 kW electric motor is good for 265 hp of system output and 350 Nm of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission does a flawless job. And so the 1.6-ton five-door car is quite dynamic (8.2 seconds to 100 km/h). Depending on the driving situation, the Tucson switches seamlessly between petrol and electric motors, and the regenerative braking system additionally charges the battery. According to Hyundai, with its 13.8 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, the Tucson PHEV should be able to travel 62 kilometers purely electrically. That doesn't sound like much, but it's enough for pure city driving and there's still the gasoline engine as reassurance.
The workmanship in the interior is consistently high quality; the version tested is of course also the top equipment known as the “Prestige Line”. The vehicle then costs a good 51,000 euros. Thanks to e-subsidies, the manufacturer's share alone brings a deduction, which means that a panoramic glass/lifting sunroof is also included in this price.
State-of-the-art technology
In return you get a lot of cars and, above all, technology! Starting with the centrally positioned infotainment system with navigation system and 10.25 inch touchscreen via Bluetooth with voice recognition to heated seats (in leather, of course). The following feature is very practical: With the new user profile function, Tucson customers can adjust and save their individual infotainment options right down to their preferred radio station.
Above all, this Tucson has safety equipment that offers practically everything that is available today. A feature unique to this segment is the new Blind Spot Camera (BVM). As soon as the driver activates the turn signal, the side view of the vehicle is displayed in the digital cockpit instead of the speed. Intelligent Traffic Sign Recognition (ISLA), in turn, not only shows speed limits on the navigation display, but also automatically adjusts the speed so that the speed limit is not exceeded. Also on board is drowsiness detection (DAW), a lane following assistant (LFA) and a highway driving assist (HDA), which regulates speed and safety distances on the highway.
It then immediately becomes understandable why the young woman mentioned at the beginning made the following statement: “Somehow it doesn’t feel like driving a car at all, but almost like a computer game.” In 2021, when cars are developing into a kind of mobile smartphone, that is certainly a compliment. But even more so was the permanent grin on the tester's face throughout the entire drive, which appeared again later as soon as the Hyundai Tucson was even mentioned.
Tucson 1.6 T-GDI Plug-In 4WD AT Prestige Line
Combustion engine power: 132 kW / 180 HP
Electric motor power: 67 kW / 91 HP
System performance: 195 kW / 265 HP
Fuel consumption: 1.38 l/100 km
Combined power consumption: 17.7 kWh/100 km
Electric range: 62 km
CO2 emissions: 31.4 g/km
Price: from 50,990 euros
Our diary of change serves as a platform for car models with alternative drives, for new mobility solutions and business areas as well as mobility reports from everyday life to find out how mobility will develop from 2021 onwards.
With kind support from Total Austria