Hyundai Tucson Elite 2019 review: snapshot

The third-highest grade of 2019 Hyundai Tucson is the Elite model, which can be had with a choice of three drivetrains.

The Elite is auto-only: the FWD 2.0-litre petrol lists at $37,850, or you can have it with a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol with AWD and a seven-speed dual-clutch auto for $40,850, or a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel auto AWD, at $43,850.

The Elite mimics the equipment offered in the Active X, including tyre pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors to complement the reversing camera, an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with built-in sat nav, DAB / DAB+ digital radio, an eight-speaker sound system with subwoofer, leather seats, two-way electrically adjustable driver's seat with electric lumbar adjustment, heated and folding exterior mirrors, and front and rear USB power outlets.

Explore the 2019 Hyundai Tucson range

• Hyundai Tucson Go 2019 review: snapshot
• Hyundai Tucson Active X 2019 review: snapshot
• Hyundai Tucson Elite 2019 review: snapshot
• Hyundai Tucson Highlander 2019 review: snapshot
• Hyundai Tucson 2019 review
• Hyundai Tucson Elite diesel 2019 review
• Hyundai Tucson Go 2019 review

But stepping up to this grade also adds 18-inch alloy wheels, adds a fully powered driver's seat, smart key (not the full keyless entry set-up - you still need to push a button on the door handle) and push-button start, rain-sensing wipers, tinted windows and rear park assist as well as various aesthetic touches. This spec still has projector halogens - not even HID or xenon lamps, which is disappointing at this price tag.

At the very least, the Elite gains the full complement of safety gear (which is offered as the 'SafetySense' pack in the lower two grades), including: blind spot monitor (also known as lane change assist), driver attention warning, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, auto emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning with active lane keep assist (with power steering intervention), rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control (which works down to 0km/h).

All Hyundai Tucson models come with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, life-time capped price servicing, and 10 years' roadside assist if you service your car at a designated dealership.

Plus, Tucson Elite buyers have access to GPS navigation system map updates when they service their car.