Hyundai Tucson

The 2019 Tucson also makes some noticeable changes to the interior. The dashboard center stack now comes fitted with a large touchscreen system, along with retooled central air conditioner vents. On the other hand, the air-conditioning controls look the same as those on Tucson’s predecessor. The biggest change though is to the car’s infotainment system which now has a 7-inch touchscreen as standard. The screen has clear graphics and a bright display, making for some eye candy at the center console. Just don’t get too attached to it though, because remember—you need to keep your eyes on the road at all times. Unfortunately, some features of the infotainment system may not be available depending on the variant, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, which are only offered on the high end trims.

As for the size of the interior, there's plenty of room for five passengers in this Hyundai crossover. Most average-sized adults should have no problem sitting pretty in Tucson. Not only is there a lot of headroom, legroom and shoulder room, but the seats are supportive and comfortable as well.

There’s also plenty of space for cargo in the Tucson. 2019 Hyundai Tucson gives you plenty but in a smaller package than a full-size SUV. With the rear seats up, you get 880 liters of cargo space. With the rear seats folded, that number shoots up to 1756 liters. Hyundai has also filled all areas of the interior with storage spaces for small daily items, such as mobile phones, beverage cups, and the like.

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson has its exterior styling really going for it. One look at the newly redesigned grille, headlights, and bumper, it’s easy to assume that the Tucson will turn some heads on the road. And not just the front, as styling updates to the sides and rear, have also improved its overall aesthetics considerably especially with the retooled rear bumper, the reflectors now relocated for better visibility. New wheels options for 2019 further contribute to the car’s overall stylishness. 

In equal measures rugged and classy, sporty and elegant, the Tucson measures 4480 mm long, 1850 mm wide, and 1660 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2670 mm and ground clearance of 172 mm. Designed for executive appeal, the Hyundai’s monochromatic color options number six in all, including Pure White, White Pearl, Platinum Silver, Pepper Grey, Dusk Blue, and Phantom Black.

The Hyundai Tucson is plenty of that fun-to-drive factor that many look for in an SUV of this size. Steering is precise and responsive. Likewise, a small turning radius makes the Tucson highly maneuverable, hugging tight corners impressively. In fact, the Tucson does better than most of its competitors in this area. That said, some may find steering response too soft, especially those used to the sportier off-road SUV variants.

The Tucson’s powertrain has been carried over from the previous model. Buyers get to choose from two engine options: a gasoline-fed Nu 2.0-liter MPI and the R 2.0-liter CRDi e-VGT diesel . The former has a maximum power of 153 hp and maximum torque of 192 Nm while the latter has a max power of 182 hp and a max torque of 402 Nm. Transmission options for the Tucson are either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic on the two lower trims, while the two upper trims shift on an 8-speed auto gearbox.

The Hyundai Tucson brake system uses a disc/disc front/rear setup. There’s also a host of new nifty safety features in place, starting with the advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) material used for a stronger body that can better withstand impact. That said, the lower variants only offer basic safety features, such as airbags, ABS-EBD, and Child Safety Rear Door Locking, while the upper variants come with the more advanced downhill brake control, hill start assist control, rear parking assist, immobilizer, and rear camera with dynamic guidelines.

Hands down, the 2019 Hyundai Tucson is simply one of the best small SUV options out there. Spacious interior, comfy seats, and large cargo capacity—in terms of practicality, the Tucson is tough to beat. You also get a staggering amount of standard luxury and high-tech features, especially in the upper trims. And with a price range of PHP 1,368,000 to PHP 1,885,000, the Tucson is a very affordable vehicle that offers great value for your hard-earned moolah.