Hyundai Unveils Next-Gen Tucson and Santa Fe for Malaysia

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Hyundai Unveils Next-Gen Tucson and Santa Fe for Malaysia

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has officially announced the launch of the fourth-generation Hyundai Tucson and a facelifted version of the fourth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe in Malaysia. These highly-anticipated SUVs are set to make their public debut at the upcoming Premium Auto Car Expo (PACE) 2023, scheduled for the 4th and 5th of November at the Setia City Convention Centre in Setia Alam.

The new Hyundai Tucson showcases a bold ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design that marks a significant departure from its predecessor. Notable features include concealed daytime running lights integrated into a Parametric Jewel grille, full-width taillights, angular wheel arches, and intricate, sculpted surfaces. The interior offers a modern, wrap-around design with a button-less center stack under an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen that supports wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and voice recognition.

Imported directly from South Korea as a completely built-up (CBU) model, the Tucson will be available in three variants, all of which are front-wheel drive. The 2.0 Lite variant is equipped with a Smartstream MPI engine producing 156PS and 192Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The other two variants, the 1.6T Plus and 1.6T Max, feature a turbocharged Smartstream 1.6 TGDi engine delivering 180PS and 265Nm of torque, paired with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with push-button gear selection.

Regardless of the variant, the Tucson comes with seven airbags, including a front-thorax airbag, an electronic parking brake with auto hold, Blind Spot Collision Warning, and Safe Exit Warning. The range-topping 1.6T Max variant offers additional features like eight-way powered and heated/ventilated driver and front passenger seats, a fully digital 10.25-inch instrument panel, a power tailgate, auto wipers, wireless phone charging, and a full suite of Hyundai SmartSense safety systems, including Smart Cruise Control.

The available colours for the Hyundai Tucson include Amazon Gray Metallic, Phantom Black Pearl, Creamy White Pearl, Crimson Red Pearl, and Silky Bronze Metallic, although the last two are not offered on the 2.0 Lite variant.

For those in need of additional space, Hyundai offers the larger Hyundai Santa Fe. The new seven-seater SUV is locally assembled at Inokom Corporation Sdn Bhd’s (Inokom) Kulim, Kedah facility, boasting significant upgrades over the original fourth-generation model. The most notable improvement is the adoption of a new platform, enabling the introduction of a hybrid variant.

The Hyundai Santa Fe is available in three variants for the Malaysian market: Hybrid Plus, Hybrid Max, and Diesel Max. The Hybrid variants are powered by a combination of a 1.6-litre TGDi petrol engine generating 180PS and 265Nm of torque, along with a 44.2 kW electric motor, resulting in a total system output of 230PS and 350Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Diesel Max variant, on the other hand, features a 2.2-litre CRDi diesel engine that produces 202PS and 440Nm of torque. This power is delivered to all four wheels via Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.

All three variants come equipped with essential features, including six airbags, the full Hyundai SmartSense safety suite with Smart Cruise Control, an eight-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and voice recognition, auto wipers, and wireless phone charging. The Hybrid Max and Diesel Max share additional features like leather seats, a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument panel, and a power tailgate. The range-topping Hybrid Max variant exclusively offers heated/ventilated driver and front passenger seats, as well as driver’s seat memory.