Hyundai Tucson 2021 review: New midsize SUV in Australia - a true Toyota RAV4 rival?

00:00 Intro
01:37 Design
03:31 Pricing
06:15 Interior
10:12 Safety
11:29 Under the bonnet
13:00 Fuel use
13:43 Ownership
14:18 Driving
17:47 Verdict

You could accuse Hyundai of either doing too much, or not doing enough with this new-generation 2021 Hyundai Tucson mid-size SUV.

In other markets this crucial new model is offered with electrified powertrains, but in Australia, the Tucson has a range of petrol and diesel engines. There's no hybrid in sight. And in a part of the market where the dominant SUV - the Toyota RAV4 - accounts for more than a quarter of sales on the back of huge hybrid powetrain demand, it could be a misstep from the brand.

There's been plenty done when it comes to the styling of the new 2021 Tucson, though. It is sharp, stylish and has more lines and creases than the average great grandma's face. And there are some interesting pricing considerations, too - some odd inclusions and weird exclusions, but also an intriguing new N Line sporty package that might be just right for some customers.

So, the question is, does the all-new Hyundai Tucson stack up as an alternative to our mid-size SUV pick-of-the-pack, the Toyota RAV4?

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[angelal]

This review was really annoying with so much negativity. The things you complained about were so silly. I’ve owned an old Tucson for 13 years, Hyundai’s are great, reliable and offer good servicing and customer service. I’ve tested every car so far, in all price ranges including high end cars because I couldn’t decide what I wanted. I looked at all prices, all specs, I’m a basic driver around town and don’t require much. And this car was by far the best for what you get. These YouTube car reviews can be very unrealistic, especially when talking about engines. I mean, most of us don’t drag race, I also can’t have a hybrid because inner city folks don’t have garages or anywhere to plug them in. This is a great family car and it looks amazing inside

[terrysowter]

This would be the most biased assessment i have ever heard. You push the Rav 4, Hyundai back their after sales support. Toyota are severely disappointing in their after sales support. Give me the backup of Hyundai.

[ninouslachin]

In Europe we have both hybrid and plug in hybrid of tucson. I ordered my Tucson hybrid top trim level with all the extra package en safety features i januari and picked it up from the dealership 2 weeks ago and I just love driving the car. It's so quiet and with great handling, driving experience and good fuel economy. I also testdrove the RAV4 hybrid before I decided which one I would go for but Tucson felt better in every aspect, more premium fealing, better handling and better safety features and better warranties. The only tthing that RAV4 was better than Tucson was that it had slightly better fuel consumption but it didn't felt as refined as Tucson. The price of the top trim level hybrid AWD with all the extra features and package in Sweden I paid 400 000 SEK which is about 61 000 AUD and I think that is a good price for what you have to pay for a Volvo, BMW, Audi or Mercedes that would cost double the price with only 2 year warranty.

[romanlewandowski]

I had a 2017 Kia Sportarge with a 2.0L engine and found it to ok 👌 for 98% of the time it did change down on the bigger hill climes to maintain the speed in Cruise control. I just replaced it with the new Hyundai Tucson Elite and love 💕 it it has everything I need in a suv it would be nice to have a little more power but not essential as you can only do 100 or 110 on freeways. And it definitely has sufficient power for overtaking.A hybrid would be great 👍 it if you didn’t have to sell your house 🏡 to get one.

[meltondaniels]

I don’t know about Australia, but in the US a hybrid and plug in are available if you like. It’s a great re-do

[autonewstv]

Designer: So how many body lines do you want?
Hyundai: Yes.

[mpampismaniatis]

there is hybrid and plug in hybrid what are you talkin about?

[spiffleable]

Great review touching on the obscene cost of non hybrid models

[brendanflanagan]

Surprised that the review only really makes any comparison to the Rav 4. I have just bought a CX 5 after looking at it, the Tucsan and the Rav 4 and test driving all of them. The first option eliminated was the Rav 4. Lots of hard plastics, nowhere near as smooth a drive, tech not as good and noisier interior than the other 2 options. Deliberated long and hard between the CX5 and Tucson though, ultimately going with the Mazda. Quieter interior, smoother drive and zippier engine big factors. Plus heaps better pricing for the AWD Touring model compared to what you have to pay for the AWD Tucson.

[limpunsing]

Good looking with no fire risk issue yet

[freshman-ogdp]

i think his review is a bit skewed. Knowing for a fact that in Korea they have 6 engine types and theres hybrid too. I think people who watch this review shouldnt just look from Australian market perspective but their overall global range and engine types for this model. Unfortunately hyundai has not decided to release even the hybrid in many countries yet, lets hope so., and who knows e version

[davidgapp]

If I were a younger person I would definitely give the Hyundai a go. Fundamentally it beats the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid in every area - from towing to acceleration to mileage, to features, to appearance... and, of course, price. So if you're not risk adverse I'd definitely recommend you go for the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. But the standard ICE only vehicle is a bust.

There are only two reasons NOT to buy the Tucson Hybrid 2021. They are... Hyundai and Turbo. Personally I'm a huge fan of turbos on sports cars, and yes I appreciate these are not your granddaddy's turbos. However I've driven turbos for years now.. .actually decades... and the truth is that even modern turbos have a lifespan of less than 100K miles. Last one I had replaced cost me $6, 500 including installation.

However the primary reason for not buying is the reputation of the manufacturer. Specifically Toyota over Hyundai. To be fair Toyota (and in particular the Rav4) are slipping down the reliability charts, while Hyundai is on the ascendancy. But is the Tucson Hybrid going to match or better the Rav4 Hybrid? It's a real question mark in my mind.

I expect the Tucson Hybrid will force Toyota to drop prices or do a rework on their Rav4. I especially like that the Hyundai has more rear leg room. That's a big, big plus for me.

So what do I drive right now? Well, it's a Rav4 Prime. But I have this nagging thought that I made an expensive mistake. The Rav4 Prime is dull to drive (apart from the acceleration) and suffer the same lack of rear leg room as its Hybrid sibling. Plus they have the worst thought-out combination of features. What in the name of God is the point of having a power driver's seat but no 2 or 3 person memory? This should be a standard feature for power seats. Always.

[paularbon]

Thanks for the great review. The turbo engine is small compared to the Mazda CX5. The Tucson appears under powered for its size.

[BackyardAussie]

American new Tucson is hybrid.. why didn’t Australian version get a hybrid option.. odd

[ninouslachin]

The reason Hyundai didn't introduce hybrid versions in Australia is because you don't have the same emission regulations that we have in EU (Europe). For example in Sweden the annual vehicle tax in AUD would be: gasoline engine the one you drove: 1700 AUD, hybrid: 700 AUD, Plug in hybrid: 55 AUD.

[robking]

New drinking game: Take a shot when he mentions halogen headlights...

[berdugosocials]

LED headlights should be standard like seatbelts are.

[davidemancini]

There is a Tucson hybrid and. Plug in, but not for the Australian market at the moment.

[davidyang]

The tone of your review is opinionated and partial from the very beginning. Hyundai makes good cars and they are getting better, with much better quality and being more liable than most other brands. Don’t be biased. This review’s not very good….

[beedzoful]

Thanks for including the ownership section and drawing the comparison between a larger and heavier car without extra power!