Hyundai Tucscon Facelifted for 2019

Hyundai Automotive South Africa will launch a facelifted version of its popular Tucson family car in August or September 2018, with a revised line-up likely to comprise only front-wheel-drive derivatives, 2 petrol engines and a solitary turbodiesel.

When Hyundai announced a relatively minor update to its Tucson earlier this year, it highlighted the introduction of a 48-volt turbodiesel mild-hybrid powertrain. Coupled with a 137 kW 2.0-litre diesel engine, the technology comprises a 48-volt lithium-ion battery, mild hybrid starter generator and inverter. An electric boost of up to 12 kW is provided by the system and the battery is recharged via braking and in-gear deceleration.

However, although the mild-hybrid technology is certainly headline-grabbing for a product in the compact SUV/crossover/family car segment, it's not of consequence to the South African market, where the 1.6-litre turbopetrol, 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol and 2.0-litre turbodiesel 4-cylinder engines will continue. You may have noticed, however, that the 1.7-litre turbodiesel will fall away when the updated Tucson makes its debut.

The cosmetic updates lend the Tucson a decidedly sportier look, especially by virtue of the reprofiled rear bumper.

For the new range, which will debut around the same time as the updated Creta, Hyundai Automotive SA will source stock from Korea, not Europe (as is currently the case) and slow-selling derivatives, such as the 1.7-litre diesel, all-wheel-drives and all manual versions, apart from the entry-level 2.0 litre, will be discontinued. That means that the line-up will consist mainly of 1.6-litre (dual-clutch) and 2.0-litre (torque-converter) automatics.

Aesthetically, the new updated Tucson features a new-look front and rear bumpers. What's more, there are full LED lights (to be confirmed for our market), a new-look grille and intakes and restyled LED daytime running lights. A fresh selection of 17-,18- and 19-inch wheels is also available.

Inside, the newcomer features a new dashboard design, redesigned instrument cluster and rear-view mirror. The infotainment system has been overhauled and replaced by a 7-inch floating display. As local derivatives currently feature an integrated colour touchscreen (with optional navigation) sourced from a local supplier, it remains to be seen what infotainment solution the importer will find for its updated family car.

Meanwhile, we expect that specification levels will be comparable to those of the current range, although there will be minor updates, such as a USB port for the second row of seats and, perhaps, a wireless charging pad up front, which already features in the Hyundai's Kia Sportage cousin.

The popular Sport versions of the Executive- and Elite-spec 1.6-litre turbopetrol Tucson, which feature purposeful cosmetic (plus minor powertrain) updates that Hyundai Automotive SA commissions from suppliers right here in South Africa, will be offered again, probably only in automatic guise.

A wireless charging pad makes its debut in the facelifted Hyundai Tucson