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Mid-size SUV of the Year 2022: Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is the Auto Express 2022 Mid-size SUV of the Year with the Kia Sportage and Skoda Enyaq iV commended

It’s a second win on the bounce for the Tucson, with consecutive Mid-size SUV of the Year awards for Hyundai’s sharply styled contender.

It’s not just the design that sets it apart from the crowd in a fiercely competitive class, though, because it passes all of the family car tests with flying colours. There’s plenty of space for five adults, while head and legroom are among the most generous in the class.

That passenger room hasn’t come at the expense of storage capacity, either, because with up to 620 litres of boot space, it also sees off the closest competition. And with clever touches such as a standard 12-volt socket and space to store the parcel shelf beneath the boot floor, it makes it a versatile storage area as well as a large one.

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It’s just as pleasant up front, with few rivals able to offer such advanced tech. Go for the top-spec models and you’ll find features such as lane-following assist and a remote-parking feature that lets you roll the car out of a tight spot from the outside using just the key. The dash design is logical, the infotainment tech is one of the most intuitive around, and it all feels very well put together.

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That feeling of solidity carries over to the way the Tucson drives, too. Refinement, stability and comfort are all excellent. The 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine with a six-speed manual gearbox kicks off the range from £28,500 – and the unit is boosted by mild-hybrid tech if you pair it with an automatic transmission.

The full hybrid achieves a WLTP fuel consumption figure of up to 49.6mpg, thanks to its ability to drive in fully electric mode in short bursts. Company car users will be most attracted to the plug-in hybrid, which boasts low BiK rates and the ability to drive on battery power alone for up to 38 miles.

Our choice

Hyundai Tucson Premium 1.6 T-GDi (£30,200)

The electrified models will make sense for the company car user, but for private buyers it’s hard to look beyond the 1.6-litre turbo petrol model. In high-spec Premium trim, a three-year PCP with a £3,000 deposit comes to £407 per month – and that figure includes a £2,000 deposit contribution from Hyundai.

Commended

Kia Sportage

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Running the Tucson very close is its Korean compatriot, the Kia Sportage. Mechanically, the pair are very similar; the Sportage also has a range of mild, full and plug-in hybrid powertrains. There’s very little between the two in terms of pricing, although the Hyundai Tucson is ever so slightly more spacious, and marginally more comfortable than the Kia.

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Skoda Enyaq iV

A range of fully electric SUVs is now filling the market, and the Skoda Enyaq iV manages to slip into family life completely seamlessly. The cabin is well finished and spacious, the battery powertrain is silent and smooth, and in the right conditions the Enyaq iV promises a range of up to 329 miles between charges.

The 2022 New Car Awards are brought to you in association with Hankook tyres

New Car Awards 2022: the winners

New Car Awards 2022: introductionLuxury Car of the Year 2022: Range Rover
Car of the Year 2022: Nissan AriyaHot Hatch of the Year 2022: Hyundai i20 N
City Car of the Year 2022: Fiat 500Coupe of the Year 2022: BMW 2 Series Coupe
Supermini of the Year 2022: Renault ClioConvertible of the Year 2022: MINI Convertible
Family Car of the Year 2022: Dacia JoggerPerformance Car of the Year 2022: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Estate Car of the Year 2022: Skoda Octavia EstateAffordable Electric Car of the Year 2022: MG ZS EV
Small Company Car of the Year 2022: Renault Megane E-Tech ElectricPremium Electric Car of the Year 2022: BMW i4
Mid-size Company Car of the Year 2022: Nissan AriyaAffordable Hybrid Car of the Year 2022: Toyota Yaris
Large Company Car of the Year 2022: BMW 5 SeriesPremium Hybrid Car of the Year 2022: Mercedes C 300 e
Small SUV of the Year 2022: Kia NiroPick-up of the Year 2022: Ford Ranger
Mid-size SUV of the Year 2022: Hyundai TucsonVan of the Year 2022: Fiat Ducato
Large SUV of the Year: Skoda KodiaqElectric Van of the Year 2022: Ford E-Transit
Small Premium SUV of the Year: Mercedes GLATechnology Award 2022: Mercedes-Vision EQXX
Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year: Lexus NXHall of Fame Inductees
Large Premium SUV of the Year: Land Rover DefenderPrevious winners

Special edition of Auto Express

Auto Express Issue 1,736

For the full experience, make sure you pick up a copy of our special 2022 New Car Awards collectors' edition of the Auto Express magazine, which is available in shops now.

You can buy individual issues of Auto Express or subscribe for even bigger discounts on the print magazine cover price. You can currently subscribe or download individual issues of our digital edition direct to your desktop, phone or tablet as well.

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