Quantum Leap

MANILA, Philippines - Two years removed from my first trip to Korea – where I joined a group that visited the Hyundai manufacturing facilities in Ulsan – I still find myself raving about how serious the Korean carmakers are in catching up to their Japanese and American counterparts in the area of quality. I had argued then – as I had witnessed them right before my eyes – that the stringent processes that the Koreans had imposed were sooner or later going to propel them into the standard-setting realm. The direct result of this hard-nosed commitment to efficiency, or course, was a whole new line of better automobiles. Today, I am glad to be proven correct.

At the start of this month, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc., importers of Hyundai vehicles into the country, launched the vehicle that would give us all a glimpse into Hyundai’s new brand identity – the Hyundai Tucson. In fact, we featured the car prominently, making it the lead story for our double-barreled section last week. This week, we follow up that particular story with a test drive article, as we at The Philippine STAR were fortunate enough to have been handed over the keys to one of the first test drive units to be released to the media. And so here it is. For the curious car nuts out there, here’s your first glimpse at the new Hyundai Tucson…

First thing you’ll notice about the new Hyundai Tucson is its grand departure from the level of mediocre – aesthetics-wise. A hexagonal grille in chrome and high-gloss black start it all out. Strong, defined character lines and wraparound headlamps coupled with sharp-looking taillights then stress the Tucson’s aggressive nature. Even at a standstill, the new Tucson looks like it can gobble up the vehicle in front of it. Compare this to the model it replaced – which although featured safe, flowing lines, did not exude a robust character at all – and you’ll realize further how much this vehicle has grown.

What’s most telling, however, is the Tucson’s interior. The Tucson’s dashboard can be aptly described as futuristic – its black, high-gloss metallic paint accenting the controls and switches even as soothing blue illumination give one that space age feel. This – coupled with the combination leather/fabric upholstery – give the vehicle a sense of exclusivity and stylishness its previous iteration lacked (or at least did not have enough of).

The test unit I drove was the middle of the pack 2.0 GLS A/T 2WD variant, which is powered by the new Theta II 2.0-liter powerplant, an engine that develops 166ps at 6,200 rpm, and 20.1 kg-m of torque at 4,600 rpm. If that doesn’t sound too impressive to you, you could try checking out the output numbers of similarly spec’d rivals in its class. You’ll find the new Tucson’s numbers sit comfortably at the top of the pack. And the robustness in power delivery shows. The 2.0-liter Tucson won’t throw you out onto the streets with reckless abandon, but it’ll hold its own (perhaps the Theta II 2.4-liter of the 4WD variant throws in significantly more juice). Still, that’s just half the story.

The Theta II engines boast of an all-aluminum design and a stainless steel exhaust manifold. Plus, there’s the unique to the Tucson timing chain (which makes it more efficient and durable than the regular timing belt). As such, being both lighter and more efficient, Hyundai claims to have squeezed out a 12.2-percent improvement in fuel consumption compared to the previous Tucson variant. By our computation, in stop-and-go city driving and with loads of baggage (Christmas gifts galore, yay!), we were still able to churn out a respectable 7.2 kpl from the Tucson. Easily that could improve to around 9 kpl given mixed city and highway driving practices sans the added baggage.

Given the standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) in all Tucson variants, maneuverability is improved significantly compared to the old variant. Body roll, though not completely nil, is much more bearable. And though we never really took the Tucson up to the mountains when it was with us, the Downhill Brake Control (DBC) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) systems ought to be big blessings on downhill descents as well as on steep ascents. What I’m getting at, really, is that the new Hyundai Tucson has loads of stuff its previous iteration was never able to boast of. In terms of build quality, amount of technology and sheer shock value, it’s a quantum leap over its past incarnation.

While it can’t as yet be considered top-of-the-line, it’s easily the most improved vehicle in its class. And at P1,158,000 for the 2.0 GLS A/T 2WD variant, it makes a convincing argument for its self. For the money and the features that come along with it, the Hyundai Tucson is a statement vehicle. The Koreans have indeed arrived. And how…

THE GOOD

• Head turning good looks

• Improved interior amenities

• Efficient new engine

• Reasonably priced

THE BAD

• The 2.0-liter variant is only available in 2WD

• There’s still room for ride improvement

THE VERDICT

• The all new Hyundai Tucson is easily the most improved vehicle in its class.