Is there a better way to spend a Ramadan afternoon than standing in the heat to take a photo like the one above while fasting? Call me crazy, but I love it! In fact, you can call me crazy when I decided to test drive the 2014 Hyundai Tucson 2.4 AWD. "It's a Korean car, why waste your time? Try an LR2 or something similar!" With all due respect to car experts, just because it's Korean and budget-friendly is exactly why I want to "waste my time" on it. Yes, YallaMotor stands apart from other publications that refuse to feature economical cars as they consider them beneath them. We don't just touch them; we test and evaluate them, providing our honest opinions.

Elegance

Hyundai's philosophy of "fluid sculpture" works so well that people are increasingly buying Hyundai cars for their looks. The Tucson is no exception. The front bumper features a honeycomb grille that, in our humble opinion, is more attractive than the CR-V and RAV4.

The front fog lights give a fierce look to the headlights, inspired by the Chinese dragon style.
The body lines convey a strong appearance while maintaining the sleek look that Hyundai has come to be known for.
My only critique is that the wheel arches could be more pronounced, similar to those found on the RAV4.

The protective rubber on the doors is practical and helps prevent minor scratches. The roof rails are a useful addition that don't stand out awkwardly like those on a Volvo XC60. Our model is the limited edition with all features, including LED lights on the side windows—something you wouldn’t expect to find in a budget-friendly Korean SUV.

Interior Features and Comfort

There are many positives and some expected negatives. The steering wheel feels a bit muted, thanks to the leather covering and the control buttons. The fully equipped model comes with a keyless start button. The gauge cluster and tachometer are stylishly designed with blue LED lights, giving a sporty feel to this family-oriented SUV.

The leather seats are comfortable with adjustable headrests.
The dual-zone climate control in the front and creatively designed air vents add to the comfort.
The 6.5-inch screen offers high resolution with navigation, audio control, and Bluetooth technology.
The sound system is acceptable, though not exceptional; they could improve the speaker quality.

The best feature of the Tucson's interior is the dual panoramic sunroof, which adds spaciousness and beauty to the cabin. It’s great for kids, especially on long trips, as it opens nearly half the roof and provides a stunning view. I would rate this feature as the best in its class. The downside is the absence of rear air conditioning vents. However, legroom is adequate, comfortably accommodating five passengers on long journeys.

Trunk Space

The trunk space is not the best in its class but is acceptable. The trunk is flat with a spare tire underneath. You can also fold the rear seats for additional space.

Safety

The base models offer only dual airbags, but the fully equipped versions provide dual front and side airbags, as well as rear airbags. Additionally, there is a hill start assist, downhill brake control, and electronic stability control.

Performance

This is a family car designed for daily use and highway driving, so our expectations aren't high. For a 2.4-liter AWD, its performance is acceptable for regular driving. As expected, it takes its time to accelerate, and handling isn’t remarkable. Once you hit a speed of 100 km/h, engage the cruise control and enjoy the ride. It lacks power at higher speeds, so I prefer its performance between 100 and 130 km/h. For speeds above that, you should consider other SUV options.

Conclusion

This is a stylish and economical family car, although it may not excel in interior quality or driving dynamics. However, if you’re considering upgrading your SUV in a few years, this car will serve you well for daily use and long family trips. Priced below 100,000 AED, it offers good value in the family car market.

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