Yes, this week ESM was back behind the wheel of another new compact SUV crossover, reviewing the Hyundai Tucson for the guys at Motoring Research.
Helpfully, Hyundai decided to make the North East its base for the UK launch of the Tucson, meaning only a short trip to Newcastle airport to get acquainted with the handsome SUV. It also meant the chance for the North to show it can actually do sunshine, along a test route that seemed designed to mimic ESM’s childhood holidays in Northumberland. Although none of them featured chauffeuring the CEO and President of Hyundai UK, however.
From eating seafood in Craster Harbour, to driving under Kielder Water reservoir, the route between offered up a demonstration of the epically beautiful North East countryside. Staying in a teepee village in the middle of nowhere, with Wi-Fi, eating Korean BBQ and using a hot tub beneath the stars also made the launch quite special.
It was also a lesson in why, when used on the RAC Rally, Kielder had the nickname of being a “killer” stage with the gravelled forestry tracks taking down tyres on two Tucsons in quick succession. On the plus side, the Tucson’s real-time tyre pressure monitoring system is incredibly accurate, and the decision to fit the car with a full-size spare is a good move.
You’ll just have to wait to read the review on Motoring Research as to whether the new Tucson ticks all the boxes in this competitive sector.
