With the new year ushering in advanced technologies, the 2023 Hyundai Tucson family follows suit, presenting an array of cutting-edge features for most models in its lineup.

Echoing the technological strides made by its sibling SUVs, the Palisade and Venue, the Tucson introduces a suite of services like collision alerts, emergency SOS calls, and enhanced voice recognition for all but the base model. Added to the mix are cloud-integrated navigation, weather forecasts, and voice controls, coupled with the Hyundai Bluelink mobile application, enabling owners to relay navigation instructions to the vehicle remotely.

The starting price for the Tucson range is now $34,900, excluding on-road charges, for the basic model, and extends up to $52,900 for the top-tier Highlander 2.0TD AWD. Despite a healthy 17,870 units of Tucson models sold in 2022, it lagged behind competitors like Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Kia Sportage. Still, it did manage to outsell some rivals like the Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, and GWM Haval H6.

Under the hood, all Tucson models boast a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine as standard, generating 115kW of power and 192Nm of torque, coupled with a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission, powering the front wheels only.

The Elite and Highlander models offer a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, outputting 132kW and 265Nm, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. These high-end models also offer a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine option, which delivers 137kW and 416Nm, paired with an eight-speed torque converter automatic and all-wheel drive.

Fuel consumption varies across models, with 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine variants promising a combined-cycle fuel consumption of 8.1 litres per 100km. The 1.6-litre turbo petrol offers a combined fuel consumption of 7.2 litres per 100km, and the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel claims a combined fuel consumption of 6.3 litres per 100km.

Dimensions-wise, the 2023 Tucson measures 4630mm long, 1865mm wide, and 1665mm high, with a 2755mm wheelbase. The optional N Line package adds an extra 10mm in length. Storage capacity is 539 litres with the second row of seats up and expands to 1860 litres with them folded. Depending on the variant, towing capacities range from 1650kg for petrol models to 1900kg for diesel models, with an unbraked towing capacity of 750kg across the range.

The Tucson comes with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, complete with five years of capped-price servicing. Base petrol and diesel models require servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, whereas the 1.6-litre turbo petrol needs servicing every 12 months or 10,000km.

As for safety, the Tucson received a five-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring well in various areas based on tests conducted by Euro NCAP in 2021. The Tucson is equipped with numerous safety features as standard, including autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, unction assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go feature, blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic assist, intelligent speed limit assist, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist. Further safety features include a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, leading vehicle departure alert, safe exit warning, rear occupant alert, and a tyre-pressure monitoring system. In terms of airbags, the Tucson offers front, front-side, and curtain airbags along with a front-centre airbag.

When climbing up the range, additional safety benefits await, such as rear autonomous emergency braking, a Blind-Spot View Monitor, advanced rear occupant alert, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera, subject to the model variant.

Starting 2023, the Tucson Elite and Highlander editions are graced with the addition of Hyundai's 'Bluelink' connected services, resulting in a modest price uptick of $500. These new services encapsulate features like collision notifications, SOS emergency calls, voice control, integrated navigation, valet mode, and various smartphone app-enabled remote functions.

The Bluelink service is offered complimentary for the initial five years of ownership and can be passed on to subsequent owners. The two top-tier variants, the Elite and Highlander, now retail starting at $39,900 and $46,900 plus on-road costs respectively, reflecting the added cost.

Meanwhile, the base model Hyundai Tucson retains its original features and specifications, available from $34,900 plus on-road costs. It was previously subject to a $400 price rise following its launch in April 2021.

Owners of the Tucson will benefit from a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with an added 12 months of roadside assistance as standard. This roadside assistance period is further extended by a year each time the vehicle is serviced at a Hyundai dealership, per its annual maintenance schedule.

Australian automotive enthusiasts can expect the 2023 Hyundai Tucson to hit showrooms by the end of March, though previously reported wait times range between six to nine months for this coveted SUV.

2023 Hyundai Tucson Pricing (estimated drive away prices)

2023 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 petrol – 39,199 (+500)

2023 Hyundai Tucson Elite 2.0 petrol - 44,999 (+500)

2023 Hyundai Tucson Elite 1.6T petrol - 49,119 (+500)

2023 Hyundai Tucson Elite 2.0T diesel - 51,197 (+500)

2023 Hyundai Tucson Highlander 2.0 petrol - 52,247 (+500)

2023 Hyundai Tucson Highlander 1.6T petrol - 56,447 (+500)

2023 Hyundai Tucson Highlander 2.0T diesel - 58,547 (+500)

2023 Hyundai Tucson standard features:

17-inch alloy wheels (including full-size spare)

Halogen projector-beam headlights (with automatic dusk sensing)

LED daytime running lights (DRLs)

4.2-inch instrument cluster display

8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen

Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless/wired Android Auto

Multi-device Bluetooth connectivity

Six-speaker sound system

Wireless smartphone charging

Cloth seats

Leather-appointed steering wheel and gear knob

Height-adjustable driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar support

Automatic up/down power front windows

Second-row fold-down centre armrest and folding seats

Air-conditioning with second-row air vents

Three USB-A outlets (one for first row, two for second row)

Keyless entry

Three drive modes

Electronic parking brake

Rear parking sensors

Rear view camera with dynamic guidelines

Autonomous emergency braking (with junction turning function)

Lane-keep assist

Lane following assist

Blind-spot monitoring

Rear cross-traffic alert

Driver attention warning

Traffic sign recognition

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Trailer stability assist

Trailer pre-wiring package

Acoustic laminated windscreen

Heated power folding mirrors

Roof rails

2023 Hyundai Tucson Elite adds (over standard):

Hyundai Bluelink connected services:

Automatic collision notification

SOS emergency call function

Voice control

Connected routing navigation

Valet mode function

Weather forecast

Calendar integration and remote functions via app

18-inch alloy wheels

10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen

Satellite navigation with live traffic updates

Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Leather-appointed seats

10-way power adjustable driver’s seat

Heated front seats

Dual-zone climate control with automatic defog, dehumidify and air diffuser functions

Front parking sensors

Advanced rear occupant alert

'Shift by wire' gear selector with paddle shifters (turbocharged variants only)

Four drive modes (turbocharged variants only)

Off-road drive modes (turbo-diesel only)

Rain-sensing wipers

Automatic up/down rear windows

Rear privacy glass

Smart key with push-button and remote start

Luggage net

2023 Hyundai Tucson Highlander adds (over Elite):

19-inch alloy wheels

Hidden-type LED daytime running lights

Upgraded reflector LED headlights with auto high beam

LED tail-lights

Panoramic glass sunroof

Power tailgate

10.25-inch digital instrument cluster

Eight-speaker Bose premium sound system

Driver’s seat memory function

Eight-way power adjustable passenger seat

Passenger seat walk-in switch

Ventilated front seats

Heated rear seats

Heated steering wheel

Blind-spot view monitor

Low-speed rear autonomous emergency braking

Remote smart parking assist (turbo-diesel only)

360-degree camera

Auto-dimming rear-view mirror

Dark chrome grille and bumper mouldings

Silver-painted skid plates

LED interior lighting (including ambient mood lighting)

The N Line option pack, available on the base Tucson ($4000), Elite ($2500) and Highlander ($1500) variants, adds:

19-inch N Line alloy wheels

Exclusive N Line styling

Dark chrome grille

Body-coloured cladding

Silver painted skid plates

Gloss black door frame and window moulding

Twin-tip chrome exhaust outlet

N Line badging

LED headlights and tail-lights

Hidden-type LED daytime running lights

Leather and suede appointed interior trim

N Line steering wheel

N Line gear knob (turbo-diesel only)

Black cloth headlining

Alloy pedals

10.25-inch digital instrument cluster

Auto high beam