The fourth generation of Hyundai’s Medium SUV, the NX4e Tucson, has been launched exactly 17 years after the launch of the original LM series Tucson in 2004, narrowly missing 2021’s lockdowns.
It comes with three engine options, two transmissions and nine models. Additional Hybrid and PHEV models will follow in early 2022 for the Hybrid and a few months later for the PHEV version.
Most dimensions are up from the previous model and the Tucson certainly feels spacious.
The lower spec levels get an eight-inch touchscreen for the multi-function display whilst the top models get a 10.25-inch screen. The smaller unit gets wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, but the larger screen with built-in Satnav has wired CarPlay due to system integration issues.
The engine options start with a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 115kW of power and 195Nm of torque, coupled to a 6-speed auto gearbox for the FWD models. Fuel consumption is 8.6 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 195 g/km.
For the HTRAC (Hyundai-speak for AWD) models there are two engine choices, the 1.6-litre diesel CRDI with its 100kW of power and stump-pulling 320 Nm of torque, sips diesel at 5.2 l/100km and emits just 135 g/km of CO2.
The other option is a 1.6-litre Turbo petrol which generates 132kW of power and 265Nm of torque with fuel consumption of 6.91 l/100km and 157 g/km of CO2 emissions.
Both engines feature a seven-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) gearbox.
We covered over 400km on the launch including the very twisty Forgotten Highway (Stratford to Taumarunui) and the ride and handling were all excellent.
We were particularly impressed by the ride and stability on uneven surfaces with no tendency for bumps to upset the Tucson’s very flat cornering.
A stretch of gravel road was also handled with aplomb. All engine variants gave good performance with the turbo petrol being the pick of the bunch for us.
As to our destination, the pick from the accommodation was the Whangamomona Hotel. Bit of a Hobson’s Choice really, as the hotel is the only accommodation in town, and serves as town hall, civic centre and at one time, the seat of political power in the republic of Whangamomona.
Yes, you read that correctly. Whangamomona residents, unhappy with the 1989 redrawing of regional council boundaries, declared the township a republic on the 1st November 1989, declaring the date Republic Day which sees the voting in of an elected President.
Urban legend suggests the successive Presidents of Whangamomona are thus:
Ian Kjestrup (1989–1999) reportedly put on the ballot without his knowledge, but elected nonetheless, Kjestrup enjoyed a 10-year term with very few substantiated Presidential policies.
Billy Gumboot the Goat
(1999–2001)
With the distinction of being Whangamomona’s first elected non-human, Gumboot won the ’99 election by a landslide and quite possibly by eating the other challengers’ ballots. A true political animal, he reportedly died in office.
Tai the Poodle (2003–2004)
Tai retired after he was attacked in what is widely held to be Whangamomona’s first political assassination attempt (by a Mastiff). Tai resigned after one year, claiming the violent nature of politics was too much, and passed away peacefully in 2010.
Sir Murt “Murtle the Turtle” Kennard (2005–2015)
Often misrepresented to be an actual amphibian, Murt owned the local garage, and fended off former President Kjestrup and a cross-dresser called “Miriam” in his first campaign. Whangamomona’s fourth President was re-elected in 2009 by one vote, and again by a landslide in 2011. Kennard died at New Plymouth Hospice on 25 October 2015.
Vicki Pratt (2015–2017)
Following the trend of political firsts, Pratt was elected to the heady heights of President of the Republic for a two-year term. Serving drinks before serving the Republic, Pratt was reportedly “picked while working in the kitchen”.
John Herlihy (2017–present)
Herlihy endured the most contested election in Whangamomona’s history. Challenged by Jack Spearow – later reputed to have attempted to steal ballots; Lili Jiao (who wanted to be a cat) and Ted (who was already a cat). Herlihy’s second successful election was equally trying as the incumbent President faced off against Maketoni the Teddy Bear, Sherman the Cockatoo and Eunice the Sheep.
By virtue of the wishes of the Republicans, Whangamomona sits in the Taranaki regional council area though geographically, it’s near enough to midway between Stratford and Taumarunui, which makes it a great place for scones and a driver change, the latter presumably being the reason Hyundai NZ picked it for the purposes of launching the Tucson.
This is, after all, the Tucson with an extensive nine model and four trim level range. The base model is the Active FWD with the 2.0-litre engine and in AWD with either diesel or 1.6 petrol options.
At Elite level, you have the same three drivetrain configurations. Moving up to Limited, there are only the two AWD options and finally there is the N-Line, which is Limited specification, but with some sporty emphasis for the exterior (rear bumper, grille, badging and alloy wheels) and interior (trim and branding).
The Active model specification is comprehensive, while the Elite gains LED lights, leather interior trim, electric adjustment for front seats, heating for front and outer rear seats and tri-zone climate system. Limited picks up the larger 10.25-inch multi-function cluster, premium Audio, Satnav, panoramic sunroof (not on N-Line) and more.
Hyundai’s Smartsense safety suite is found across the range and is comprehensive, with only the surround view monitor and blind spot monitor being reserved for the upper specification levels.
