Hyundai Tucson N Line (2023) - First Drive Review

Got R800 000 for a premium SUV? Wait: There aren't many premium SUVs in this price range, unless you're buying used. But you want a new car? Why not opt for the new flagship Hyundai Tucson N Line AT AWD? (Read our review on the 2.0-litre turbodiesel Elite model here.)

 

The Tucson range (read our 2022 launch report), which starts at R561 900 for the 2.0-litre Premium model, is a stellar buy, but what if you want 1) a diesel powertrain 2) premium features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assistance, which gently steers you around the bends all on its own? And 3) sporty good looks? and 4) an interior befitting a premium performance model? Hang on... you want to go off the beaten track on weekends so you'd want all-wheel-drive as well. Well, hang on to your hat, because the N Line model comes as heavily armed as a SWAT team snuffing out terrorists in Iraq. But before we delve into the new variant, let's take a look where it fits in:

 

Tucson 2.0 Premium AT	R561 900
Tucson 2.0 Executive AT	R613 900
Tucson 2.0 Elite AT	R683 900
Tucson 2.0D Elite AT	R749 900
Tucson 2.0D N-Line AT AWD (driven on launch)	R799 900

 

Related: Hyundai Tucson vs Haval H6 vs Chery Tiggo 8 Pro: Which has the lowest running costs?

 

What sets the N Line apart from the Elite model?

 

Hyundai has thrown all this aforementioned kit at the new N Line model. It is styled to perfection (it gets new bumpers and a slightly more interesting grille, N Line badging, bigger 19-inch wheels with some of the coolest rims we've seen in a while), a sporty interior trim (including a combination of suede and leather seats with red accents, along with metal pedals), and grippy all-wheel drive.

Subaru Forester vs Mazda CX-5 vs Hyundai Tucson: Which one is the best value for money?

 

 

It features all the self-driving tech and other luxury specifications already present in the Elite model, like adaptive cruise control, a lane watchdog, power tailgate, heated/ventilated seats, large display, and wireless charging pad, to name but a few. Its peppy power figures are identical to the turbodiesel Elite model (137 kW and 416 Nm).

Download and view the entire specification list of the Tucson range here.

 

 

On the road with the Hyundai Tucson N-Line

 

It had been raining all night when I arrived at the launch, and continued to rain all throughout the day, but we decided to tackle the wet-and-wild dirt section from Grabouw to Gabriëlskloof wine farm via the Van der Stel Pass nonetheless. Despite being pelted by water for almost 18 hours, the road wasn't in poor shape, but the mud had become quite deep.

 

 

Thank Goodness for all-wheel-drive, because when there are four wheels turning instead of two, there's just so much more grip, and when the available traction is very little (on snow or in this instance, mud), you can accelerate better with little to no tyre slippage.

 

 

The N Line model features selectable off-road modes and I selected the Mud setting which modifies the all-wheel-drive system's power distribution, sending power to the wheels that can grip the ground better and reducing wheel spin. Mud is probably the most challenging off-road surface to navigate, but the Tucson took it in its stride, instilling a sense of confidence which inspired some spirited driving. The Tucson felt surefooted and didn't slip or fishtail in any way that gets the adrenaline pumping too much. Traction control can be turned off, which is is advisable in very slippery conditions.

 

 

Verdict

Filled to the brim with goodies while returning a consumption figure of only 6.9 litres per 100 km, makes buying the N Line model a no-brainer, especially if you have adventurous intentions and a taste for the finer things in life.

 

Buying used? Find out what you need to know about the previous-generation Tucson.

 

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