2016 Hyundai Tucson 30 REVIEW | Hyundai’s Birthday Present (To Itself) – An Extra Value Tucson
NO BETTER ACCOMPANIMENT FOR HYUNDAI’S 30TH BIRTHDAY CAKE THAN A TUCSON SUV WITH SOME PRESENTS THROWN-IN. That would be the Tucson ‘30’ Special Edition.
And just a few extra sporty enhancements make it the best of the Tucson clan.
With our mid-size SUV segment more crowded than a Tokyo subway, every brand is looking for a leg-up over the opposition. Hyundai's Tucson ‘30’ Special Edition, at $37,750, certainly boosts the chances for the Korean giant.
And that might be the difference between the number two ranking and number three at the end of the year. As we write, Mazda’s CX-5 continues to dominate the segment but Tucson and Toyota RAV4 are neck-and-neck in the race for the other podium positions.
Who would have thought? Not only is this an SUV segment where Toyota doesn’t dominate but the Japanese powerhouse is in a dogfight with a Korean brand just to finish second… yep Australia truly is the world’s most diverse and difficult automotive market.
Vehicle Style: Mid-size SUV
Price: $37,750 (plus on-road charges)
Engine/trans: 130kW/265Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder | 7-sp dual-clutch automatic
Fuel Economy claimed: 7.7 l/100kms | tested: 8.6 l/100kms
OVERVIEW
What we’re looking at here is a special edition model based on the Hyundai Tucson 'Active X' variant.
But ‘based on’ is a loose description. For starters, the Tucson '30' Special Edition picks-up the excellent turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine, Hyundai’s own seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and drives all four wheels.
Then there is the paint - an 'Ash Blue' metallic which is unique to the Hyundai Tucson’30’ Special Edition.