Updated and refreshed 2019 Hyundai Tucson revealed at New York International Auto Show

MANILA: While the new Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester grab the headlines coming out of New York, Hyundai is not far behind. The C-segment SUV category welcomed the revamped Tucson recently at the Hyundai stall. If the prices don’t go up by too much, these changes should make it an even greater threat in the segment.

The new SUV receives many new changes including revised engine options, new tech features and of course refreshed styling. On the styling front, the outside gets retouched front grille and extra horizontal bar than before. The front resculpted front bumper along with the DRLs and a new 19-inch wheel option are some additional changes.

The interior receives a more drastic overhaul. Now the center console across all variants is going to be adorned with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This even comes equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Hyundai’s homegrown Blue Link Connected Car System also makes an appearance. This system allows remote operation of the car including climate control features and the ability to send points of interest to the navigation system. It even incorporates Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Other than the electronics, the interior gets new materials and finishes, new leather seats, electronic parking brake and a new instrument cluster. Even the rear passengers won’t feel left out with second row USB chargers and Qi wireless chargers.

Safety features also get a much-appreciated rethink. The safety options previously available only on the highest spec are now standard. These include lane keeping assist and forward collision avoidance assist. Pedestrian detection, automatic high-beam, rain-sensing wipers, surround-view monitoring, smart cruise control with stop-and-go and driver attention warning are available as optional extras.

On the other hand, engine options are now more limited. The 1.6 Turbo is no more. In its place is a 2.4-litre inline-four with 181 hp and 237 Nm of torque. The base variant, however, is the same 2.0-litre four pot with 164 hp and 204 Nm of torque. The transmission remains the same with its 6-speed automatic with manual select.

The Tucson was always a very competitive offering in its segment, with award-winning dependability and massive sales figures. These upgrades make the Tucson’s offer even more compelling.