This is the new hybrid Tucson, Hyundai’s “boldest” ever SUV

Hyundai calls it “muscular”. We’re calling it ‘OCP’, because we’re now suddenly afraid we only have 20 seconds to comply. Welcome to the brand-new Hyundai Tucson – sounds like a good biscuit, is actually a hugely popular mediumly-sized SUV.

“We could have played it safe,” said Hyundai Europe’s big cheese Xavier Martinet, “but that is not Hyundai’s style.” No, it has instead chosen the so-called ‘Art of Steel’ design language to create a very bold, imposing car, about the same size as a Qashqai, Kuga and Tiguan.

That straight headlight bar, angular bumper lines, flared (also angular) arches, and flat roof drive ruler-straight into an (also angular) bootlid spoiler, horizontal rear light spanning the width of the rear, and more lines.

As an illustration of the necessity of modern car bloat, this one’s a bit longer, wider and taller compared to the now-tame outgoing car, in part to support “pedestrian protection requirements”.

Hyundai’s ruler has been used inside too, where you won’t be surprised to find a giant touchscreen available in either 12.9in or a whopping 17in, that pairs with an admittedly nice touch in the 9.9in slim driver display. And you won’t be surprised to learn said touchscreen has been filled with AI.

Mercifully there’s physical switchgear on offer too, in the form of some buttons and rotary dials, along with switches on the door panels. A win for common sense, there. There’s an optional HUD, and a plethora of connections to plug in various devices.

And if you want to plug in, Hyundai promises “soft, voluminous cushioning” atop the instrument panel, doors and centre armrest, while the seats themselves look comfy (with the option of massaging ones), there’s fancy climate control, a heated windscreen, and a generous amount of space for your passengers. That box-like shape comes in handy.

Sitting at the front of this OCP box, you’ll be in command of 146 horsepowers via a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, or 242 horsepowers and 280 torques via the same 1.6-litre petrol engine but with a 48V mild hybrid system and a 1.49kWh battery attached to it, or 288 horsepowers via the same 1.6 but with a plug-in hybrid setup featuring a larger 17.1kWh battery.

The petrol only weighs 1,700kg, the mild hybrid one 1,910kg, while weirdly the full PHEV weighs 1,810kg. Both hybrids are available as either 2WD or 4WD and come with a six-speed auto, while the petrol-only car can be had as a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT.

Naturally there’s a tonne of assistance on board, like smart cruise control, collision avoidance, speed limit assist, and of course there are a tonne of airbags and safety equipment bundled into the package too.

“We challenged ourselves to move Tucson forward in every area that matters to customers, from design and comfort to technology and efficiency,” Martinet added. “The result is not simply the next Tucson. It is the best Tucson we have ever made."