What is it?
It’s another vehicle with a Business Motoring accolade to its name. The Hyundai Tucson was highly commended in this year’s BM Awards Best Plug-in Hybrid category.
The Tucson Plug-in Hybrid pairs a 1.6-litre T-GDi engine with a 66.9 kW electric motor and a 13.8 kWh lithium polymer
battery. Combined, the petrol engine and electric motor deliver 265PS and 350 Nm maximum torque, with an
electric only range of up to 36 miles.
It currently sits within one of the lowest BiK bands – just 11% and priced from £39,330, the Tucson PHEV comes as standard with a long list of equipment, creating a package that’s desirable and connected, as well as sustainable. Even the most basic version comes with 18” alloy wheels, LED front and rear lights, 10.25″ touchscreen satellite navigation with Bluelink connected car services and a 10.25″ driver’s supervision instrument cluster.
4WD is also standard on the latest Tucson PHEV, with Hyundai HTRAC four-wheel drive technology and a Terrain Mode selector for safe driving on challenging terrain. HTRAC can variably distribute driving power to the front and rear wheels depending on traction conditions and the driving state, while the Terrain Mode selector will optimise power, torque and braking depending on the road conditions.
All New PHEV models come with Hyundai’s five Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty, eight year 100,000 mile High Voltage Battery Warranty, Roadside Assistance package, five Year Annual Health Check, and 12 Year Anti Corrosion Warranty.
Around three quarters of Hyundai UK’s current order-bank from corporate customers is BEV product and 97% ULEV giving it one of the greenest fleet sales penetrations in the market.
The Hyundai business is now more geared towards the fleet customer with the launch of its ‘Hyundai Business’ fleet brand. It has completely refreshed its website with an all-new fleet section, including whole life cost calculators, BiK
rates and competitor comparison tools. It also now has a more defined journey for enquiries from company car
drivers or fleet managers.
The brand also recognises the need for dedicated specialist account management and support for our customers in
order to offer the personal service and advice that fleets require from a ULEV manufacturer direct by doubling its
Virtual Account Manager team. This has enabled Hyundai to provide agile customer account management on a daily
basis across more customers without the need for regional journey based management.
This means that small to medium fleets get to experience the benefits of a larger fleet with hands on customer service, advice, quotations and vehicle demonstrations. The aftersales experience is also continuing to evolve for the convenience of SME customers. In addition to the Workshop Automation Platform – which allows drivers to book aftersales appointments at any time, from anywhere online and provides real-time updates of work – Hyundai has launched the Customer Online Check In.
Following a 12-week pilot across multiple Hyundai sites, 62% of customers opted to use the Online Check In
method. It has also launched Autopoint Lockers, which provide a seamless, digital, drop off and collection option
for customers visiting our Service Departments
Hyundai’s Fleet Aftersales Charter was created in 2014 to provide fleet customers with a dedicated aftersales
solutions service across the dealer network, helping customers with every aspect of running their car as cost effectively as possible. Cost of Ownership covers the complete spectrum of financial considerations for any Hyundai
fleet customer: labour rates are capped at £72.50 (+VAT) per hour and customers are offered a 7.5% discount over
the recommended retail price on parts and accessories, for example.
The Charter’s Ease of Use section provides business users with certain service guarantees specifically aimed at
keeping any down-time to a minimum. These include being able to guarantee a service appointment within 48
hours if they do not require a courtesy car, and within five days if they do.
Experience Hyundai ensures that a visit to a Hyundai dealership is as convenient for the fleet customer as possible.
Free Wi-Fi and refreshments are provided with ’hot-desk’ facilities for those wishing to wait, while a vehicle health
check is carried out free of charge (unless otherwise requested) during every visit, as part of Hyundai’s standard
Triple Care Package.
What do we think?
For starters, we like the economy with the Tucson PHEV endings its week with us by returning an average 54.4mpg, however, if your round commute is short enough – and with a home or work charger – the 38-mile battery range could largely reduce your visits to the fuel station to zero.
It’s a car for all seasons as well, it cruises effortlessly on the motorway while around town and along the country road it feels nimble enough despite its size. All the while you sit comfortable cushioned in the front where the seats are not only heated, but air conditioned as well!
The four-wheel drive system appears capable enough although difficult to out it through any vigorous test during the dry summer months, but it dealt fine with the farm fields. It does come equipped with downhill brake control, all-wheel lock drive for greater traction and hill-start assist control.
There’s plenty of room if you’re travelling four up while things aren’t too much of a squeeze for a third passenger in the rear seats. The battery pack does eat a bit into the boot space, but you can increase this by lowering the rear seats. In terms of both interior and exterior, the Tucson is a good looking car.
Couple of points we picked up on, mainly with the DAB radio which seemed to suffer from very patchy reception and you do find yourself grappling with the lane keeping assist, particularly on the narrow Dorset lanes.
Hyundai Tucson Ultimate 1.6 T-GDi 265Ps Plug In Hybrid
P11D value: £41,741
Engine: 1.6 T-GDi (265 Hp) Plug-in Hybrid 4WD Automatic
Max System Power: 265hp
Top speed: 118mph
0-62mph: 8.2 secs
CO2: 31 g/km
Economy (on test): 54.4mpg
BiK rate: 11%
