Just like clockwork, Hyundai has now unveiled a new N Line trim for the all-new Tucson. The sportier C-segment will go on sale in Europe in spring this year, offering more aggressive looks, and a jazzed-up suspension set-up to suit.
The futuristic design of the base Hyundai Tucson is of course still present here, but is now paired with sportier bumpers and body-coloured claddings all-round. Up front, the lower air intakes and headlight cutouts have been restyled with a more angular design – the latter also now surrounded by black bezels.
The grille on the N Line trim, which sits taller and wider than the regular Tucson, also receives a new parametric jewel design with more elaborate edges, supposedly creating “additional reflections depending on the angle”. As is customary on a “sporty” trim, the grille is also given a new coat of black paint to go along the Phantom Black wing mirrors and roof.
At the back, the Hyundai Tucson N Line trim receives a new aerodynamic spoiler with integrated fins, while the bumper is accentuated by the new diffuser in satin silver, surrounded by a reflective red band. For extra sporty appeal, the Tucson N Line comes standard with twin tailpipe exits, along with a set of 19-inch alloys with a parametric design as standard.
Inside, the N Line touches are fairly limited, with the entire cabin basically lifted unchanged from its “regular” siblings. Sporty touches include the new leather and suede seats with red contrast stitching, N-branded leather steering wheel, N gear shifter buttons, alloy pedals, and a black headliner.
Unlike the Elantra N Line which gets a new powertrain and manual shifter option alongside its sportier outfit, the Hyundai Tucson N Line is unfortunately all show, no go – disappointing. Buyers in Europe can pair the N Line trim with every powertrain option available in the continent, ranging from a pure ICE 1.6-litre T-GDi engine with 150 hp, to a plug-in hybrid version of the same powertrain making 265 hp.
Hyundai does however, slightly make up for it with an optional electronically-controlled suspension set-up with N-Line specific tuning, which the company says will deliver “even more driving fun” as the system “reacts faster and more strongly to both body movements and steering commands.”
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