Verdict
B
Mid SUV · South Korea · 2004-Present
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai Tucson — spec data and generation history.
Years
2004-Present
Generations
4
Segment
Mid SUV
Hyundai's mid-size SUV, the most important car they sell — JM (2004–2010) launched the nameplate; LM (2010–2015, sold as ix35 in UK) was the better-judged second car; TL (2015–2020) brought a smarter cabin and the 1.6 T-GDi; NX4 (2020–Present) is the parametric-jewel-faced current car with proper hybrid and PHEV options. The current NX4 with the 1.6 T-GDi HEV is the volume-seller in the class for a reason — it looks distinctive, the cabin is genuinely good, and the hybrid drivetrain is well-judged.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
LM (ix35) 2010-2015 → TL 2015-2020
BHP +10 bhp
Torque +30 Nm
0–60 mph −0.6 s
Top speed +5 mph
MPG +5 mpg
TL 2015-2020 → NX4 2020-Present
BHP +15 bhp
Torque +50 Nm
0–60 mph −1.0 s
Top speed +8 mph
MPG +10 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
2004-2010
JM
→
2.0 CRDi — 138 bhp, 0-62 in 11.4s.
Verdict
C
BHP
138
0–60
11.4 s
Top
110 mph
MPG
37.0 mpg
Used
£900-£3,500
- + Cheap to buy
- + 4WD option
- − Rusts on UK cars
- − Cabin plastics low-rent
2010-2015
LM (ix35)
→
2.0 CRDi — 134 bhp, 0-62 in 10.4s.
Verdict
B
BHP
134
0–60
10.4 s
Top
113 mph
MPG
47.0 mpg
Used
£3,000-£8,500
- + Sharper styling
- + Cabin a step on
- − DPF clogging on short runs
- − No hybrid
2015-2020
TL
→
1.6 T-GDi 175 — 175 bhp, 0-62 in 9.1s.
Verdict
B
BHP
175
0–60
9.1 s
Top
125 mph
MPG
38.0 mpg
Used
£8,000-£18,000
- + Tucson name returned
- + Smarter cabin
- − 7DCT shudder
- − Diesel emissions scrutiny
2020-Present
NX4
→
1.6 T-GDi HEV — 230 bhp combined, 0-62 in 8.0s.
Verdict
A
BHP
230
0–60
8.0 s
Top
120 mph
MPG
49.0 mpg
Used
£18,000-£42,000
- + Distinctive parametric face
- + Hybrid drivetrain well-judged
- − Touch-heavy controls
- − PHEV range modest
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2004-2010 · JM
- Diesel turbo failures
- Rear arch rust on UK cars
- 4WD coupling stiff
2010-2015 · LM (ix35)
- DPF clogging
- Touchscreen freezes
- Steering wheel buttons wear
2015-2020 · TL
- 7DCT clutch wear
- Theta II engine recall (US-heavy)
- 1.6 T-GDi GPF regen
2020-Present · NX4
- 8DCT/6AT hybrid shudder
- PHEV battery cell faults early VIN
- Touchscreen reboots
- Lane-keep over-eager
Rivals
Kia Sportage · Nissan Qashqai · Volkswagen Tiguan · Ford Kuga