Hyundai Tucson N Line 2020
Hyundai Tucson N Line
They might not exactly be an environmentalist's cup of tea, but performance SUVs are a thing and they're becoming more and more prevalent.
Fresh from the success of their rather excellent i30N, Hyundai have brought us this; the Tucson N Line. You'll notice it's an N Line, not a full-blown Tucson N – whether Hyundai are saving a sub 5 seconds 0-62mph Tucson for the future remains to be seen, but I wouldn't hold your breath.
Petrol or Diesel?
So, what makes this Tucson an N Line? Well, that rather depends on which engine you go for. Let me explain; the N Line spec is available with either a 1.6 T-GDi petrol engine, producing 175bhp & 265Nm torque, or a 1.6 CRDi diesel engine with 135bhp & a very welcome 320Nm. But that's not the whole story; should you go for the diesel, it's a 48v hybrid, albeit a mild one. Opt for the petrol and it's more of an all-out performance SUV – they even tune the steering and increase suspension rigidity by 8% & 5% at the front and rear respectively.
No 4×4 Version
Both Tucson N Lines are front-wheel-drive only, both are available with either a 6-speed manual 'box or a 7-speed DCT, but their performance stats are poles apart. The DCT petrol will do 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds, the manual diesel is the quicker, yet it still only achieves the same in 11.2 seconds.
It's fair to say, then, that, thanks to its performance figures, the only Tucson N Line that should really be wearing the badge is the petrol variant.
But what if you want the looks but aren't overly bothered about break-neck stats, plus you don't fancy spending half of your life on a fuel station forecourt?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the diesel Tucson N Line knocks the petrol version into a cocked hat in terms of efficiency. The cleanest variant – the manual will return 65.7 mpg on the combined cycle whilst emitting 113g/km CO2. The most innocent petrol Tucson N Line – the DCT manages 40.4 mpg & 151 g/km, the naughty manual one just 37.7 mpg & a whopping 168 g/km. Again; poles apart.
What Does Every Tucson N Line Get?
So, that's the differences highlighted, but what do you get on your Tucson N Line, regardless of powertrain? In a nutshell, it's a big dollop of attitude. The bumpers are bespoke, incorporating boomerang shaped running lights and larger air intakes on the front. A lot of shiny stuff has been binned in favour of brooding black, particularly on the 19" wheels, window surrounds and front grille mesh.
Performance Stitching
Inside you get more black stuff in the shape of some suede seats, but they do have some red-stitching, as does the steering wheel and gear lever. What performance car would be complete without red stitching? Being a Hyundai, standard equipment levels are generous; heated front seats, climate, keyless entry and front & rear parking sensors are all thrown in.
Should I Buy A Tucson N Line?
Prices start at £26,245 for the petrol version, £28,010 for the diesel. Which one you choose ultimately depends on how much you value outright speed vs how much you want to spend on fuel. Whichever Tucson N Line you go for, it'll stand out in a crowd whilst offering the same practicality as a regular Tucson.
By Ben Harrington
Source: https://drivingtorque.com/2020-hyundai-tucson-n-line-review-two-very-different-warm-suvs/