In the auto industry, much like any field such as business or politics, a new generation can bring about unprecedented change.

In business, point your gaze to the IT field where every year a new young programmer shoots up to millionaire status either with a game-changing program or a new social networking site.

In politics, we don’t have to look that far as, despite some minor complaints, our government is undergoing some generally positive change in the way it’s run.

In the auto industry, a new generation of a single car model can make or break its fortunes.
In some cases, all it takes is a minor revision, other times, a stronger link to the past (like the neo retro Mustang). Some go the whole nine yards and keep only the name.

Hyundai’s new Tucson is one such example. The sports car inspired form, if you’ll remember is nothing new. This body actually looks inspired by one, a product of Hyundai’s design bureau in Germany.

The new form dares tread where the previous was conservative. The angular headlights are the first to draw you in. The hexagon grille is bisected by a pseudo bumper. Towards the side, the sharp panel creases and flowing lines add to that 21st century coupe look. The windows seem to form an eye on the car’s side. On the bottom, the rocker panels extend upward toward the door enhancing its prowling stance. Skid plates and high ground clearance are the only clue it’s an SUV.

Inside, the Tucson forms an otherworldly cockpit. Dual moonroofs bring in lots of light from above. Rather than a typical character line across the dashboard, the front is divided into two pods. Recesses on either sides house the steering wheel and glove box. Vertical aircon vents give a space age feel, speaker housings protrude from the doors.

In the driver’s side, the tach and speedo are separated into two dials. A multi-info display sits on the top center displaying fuel, temp and various trip details in blue.

Hovering over it is the wheel with the shape of the horn imitating the front grille. Cruise control and remote stereo controls sit on either side.

Towards the center is a center stack that doesn’t seem like a stack at all. The stereo unit is housed in its own pod. It can hold six CD’s in dash, AM FM radio or play any MP3 player via the USB slot in the bottom. Sound is channeled through six speakers and a subwoofer throughout the car.

Lower still is the climate control. Like the stereo, it too has piano black gloss finish dials. It’s got fully automatic climate control with dual zone and just below it are the seat heater buttons.

At the very bottom of the stack sit the two power outlets, the iPod jack and auxiliary slot. The arrangement keeps MP3 players close to their power source and nicely minimizes clutter.

Behind, the cargo area features a retractable cover and cargo net. The second row seats fold down and the cover can be removed for more room.

Once everything’s packed and loaded, just a push of the Engine Start button powers up the 2.0 liter common rail turbo diesel.

You could say that it too is sports car inspired, equipped with an electronic variable geometry turbo that both increases power and makes that power delivery smoother. It all adds up to an impressive 177 horsepower and 290 lb-ft or torque. Fuel consumption doesn’t take a dip as only a little throttle is enough to move the car along.

There’s six gears to go channel that power through whether in automatic or manual mode. Typical of these 4x4’s, most of this power is sent to the front wheels. A simple 4WD lock switch can also send it to all four, on the fly.

Independent Macpherson struts in front and multi-links in the back with electronic damping keep it level and steady in city or rough roads. And despite the very sports car like 18 inch wheels paired with 55 series tires, it still rides like a large luxury sedan.

Discs all around, governed by ABS with EBD and Brake Assist bring it to a calm stop. If that’s not enough, systems like electronic stability control (ESC), hill descent control (HDC) and hill start assist (HAS) are also equipped. There’s up to six airbags all over the car, not to mention the rear facing parking camera.

All these accessories thrown in make for such a convincing deal up until you hear the asking price. Then again, the only other SUVs loaded with these kinds of features far exceed the P2 million mark.

If much of this seems frivolous, Hyundai thankfully provides a number of lower end Tucsons for more affordable prices. The turbo diesels, for now however, are strictly 4x4. Whether you get the low end Tucson or this, the top-of-the-line model, it still turns out to be a quite an attractive deal.

It only serves to reinforce the fact that the new generation, whether we’re talking about the car or the buyer, is definitely changing things up.