Mid-size SUV of the Year 2023: Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is the Auto Express 2023 Mid-size SUV of the Year with the Kia Sportage and Skoda Enyaq iV commended
Hyundai has clearly got a taste for the winner’s champagne, because the Tucson has secured mid-size SUV honours for the third year on the bounce. The competition has closed in over the past year, but the Hyundai’s blend of distinctive design, class-leading space, electrified engines and cutting-edge tech means it’s still the leader of the pack in this increasingly crowded sector.
With its angular exterior lines and eye-catching LED lights, the Tucson still stands out on the road, while its interior has real premium appeal, thanks to the use of soft-touch plastics and a couple of 10.25-inch screens for the instrument cluster and intuitive infotainment. It’s also bursting with useful tech, including a host of autonomous driver aids and a neat remote parking system that allows you to slot the Tucson into a space from outside the car.
It’s good from behind the wheel too, with grown-up driving dynamics that combine composed handling with a cushioned ride and relaxed refinement. You’re not short of choice when it comes to engines, either, with everything from a punchy turbocharged petrol through to a plug-in electric hybrid that claims an EV range of 38 miles and a wallet-friendly company-car BiK rating of just 12 per cent.
Yet the Hyundai is a car that appeals to the head as well as to the heart. For starters, its interior is one of the roomiest in the class, with space for five adults, and the 620-litre boot gives estate car-like carrying capacity. Then there’s the fact that it’s covered by the brand’s comprehensive five-year warranty, while front-seat passengers get a centre airbag between the seats, which is a unique feature in this class.
If you’re looking for a compact crossover that’s every bit as desirable as it is sensible, then the Hyundai Tucson ticks all the boxes.
Our choice
Hyundai Tucson Premium 1.6T 48V Mild Hybrid (£33,975)
The combination of turbocharged mild-hybrid engine and smooth seven-speed twin-clutch transmission suits the Hyundai’s grown-up character, while Premium trim comes with gadgets galore. Better still, Hyundai is currently offering zero-per cent finance on its PCP deals, plus three years’ servicing for just £199.
Commended
Under the skin, the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson are closely related, sharing the same platform, engines and advanced safety kit. The Kia gets a longer seven-year warranty and is equally keenly priced, but its fractionally smaller cabin and slightly firmer ride mean it has to give best to its Korean cousin here.
Skoda Enyaq iV
Combining Skoda’s traditional strengths of space and value with a smooth and efficient electric powertrain, the Enyaq iV is ideal for families looking to switch from petrol or diesel power. It’s good to drive, with a claimed range of up to 329 miles, while the practical interior is full of tech and oozes upmarket appeal.
You’ll find all the information on our New Car Awards 2023 winners and the reasons why we chose them on these pages. Just follow the links below to read more…
New Car Awards 2023: the winners
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