MANILA, Philippines — After spending a good amount of time behind the wheel of the Hyundai Tucson, it became obvious that the folks over at Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI) imported a winner.

When it comes to its design, it is hard to find a competing SUV that comes close to the Tucson’s visual impact. Its futuristic lines will easily draw potential owners in. I suppose this is because the complex planes of every body panel flow together to form a cohesive shape that looks interesting from every angle. A creation like this is a very big achievement indeed. You can spot the Tucson easily in a sea of Metro Manila traffic, and not only that; you will see many of them on the road. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this model is very popular.

I spent some time driving the petrol variant, but from the start I was always curious about what a diesel-powered variant would be like. It took some time, but the model that I pined for finally arrived a few months ago. Needless to say, I was eager to get behind the wheel of the Tucson GLS 4WD R-eVGT. The unit lent to me was no less than the Premium version. Customers will be pleased to find that it is fitted with every luxury option. The panoramic glass roof (which is similar to what is found on the top-of-the-line Sonata); smart key with push start button; downhill brake control with hill-assist control; and rear-view mirror with an LCD display for the rear-view camera all work together in making drivers feel that they are driving a quality SUV.

The Premium variant also rolls on 18-inch alloys shod with low-profile tires, and this does plenty to enhance the overall look.

The real magic comes from under the hood, though. Powering this Tucson variant is a DOHC 2.0-liter CRDi diesel that is fitted with a variable-geometry turbo. This motor develops 177ps that peaks at 4,000rpm. Combine this with 392Nm of torque that comes in early on (from 1,800- to 2,500rpm to be exact) and you can expect to get up to cruising speed in a hurry.

In fact, it is a good thing that the Tucson is fitted with on-demand 4WD because the system helps keep the wheels from breaking traction.  Power is delivered via a six-speed automatic gearbox. Manual control is available by slotting the shift lever into the manual gate.

Even when loaded with passengers and cargo the Tucson can get up to cruising speed effortlessly. That is the magic of the VGT underneath the hood. It adapts to the engine’s load and keeps the turbocharger spinning at an optimal speed for cruising, or flat-out acceleration. You can also count on this SUV being even more sport-oriented thanks to all of the twist developed by the engine. But even when being heavy on the throttle, the engine delivers exceptional fuel economy. A trip to Baguio from Manila and back netted a fuel-mileage reading of 6.2L/100km (based on the built-in mileage and economy computer). This is not bad at all, especially as I was driving normally and the Tucson was loaded to capacity. And this is why CRDi diesel-powered variants are so popular nowadays.

Going the extra kilometer without spending too much at the pump is too good an offer to resist. And with diesel technology advancing every year, it won’t be long until a CRDi motor will be as smooth as its petrol counterpart.

The kilometers will fly by on the highway, and conquering the steep mountain roads is a breeze. The Tucson hugs the roads tenaciously, but when traversing rougher roads at speed, the rear end gets unsettled a bit, possibly a result of the low-profile rubber that grips the road with a bit of negative camber dialed into the rear. It is best to keep out of rough patches when driving at a frantic pace.

When it comes to safety, the Premium variant comes with driver, front passenger, side and curtain airbags. ABS, EBD, and ESP come standard. At P1,728,000 the Premium R-eVGT variant has all of the features expected in a luxury SUV. If you prefer to have less frills, the P1,368,000 4WD (fitted with the same engine) is the more practical choice. Either way, the entire Tucson line will have what you are looking for, regardless of spec level and power plant choice.