HYUNDAI has company car drivers in its sights with the plug-in hybrid version of its striking new Tucson SUV, writes William Scholes.
It's priced from £39,330, meaning it slips in under the £40k threshold at which vehicle excise duty takes a leap, and although there are no official CO2 figures yet, by Hyundai's reckoning the family car should attract an 11 per cent benefit in kind rate when it arrives later this year.
The Tucson's electrified powertrain uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 90bhp electric motor fed by a 13.8kWh battery for an electric range of up to 35 miles. The system makes a total of 261bhp and 258lb ft of torque.
Four-wheel-drive and a six-speed automatic gearbox are standard.
This model gets an 'active' air intake that closes to improve fuel efficiency in situations when the engine needs less cooling.
For now, there are two trim levels.
That £39,330 price tag comes with the Premium version which comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps and taillights, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, sat-nav and a digital dashboard.
Stepping up to the £42,030 Ultimate gets you 19-inch alloy wheels, leather trim, a desirable panoramic glass sunroof and electric tailgate.
In common with other Hyundai models, the Tucson has a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and comes with a five-year annual health check. The hybrid battery has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.
