Joker in The Pack

Hyundai is threatening to upset the applecart, as it has the audacity to take on the luxury manufacturers with its latest models. But can the Tucson really scare the likes of the BMW X1?

- Arup Das

To many, life is about perceptions – and, of course, being brand conscious. For those who swear by these preconceived notions, I suggest you stop reading this piece this very minute because Hyundai aims to shatter your worldview. Now, we all swear by the luxury German brands for their build quality and driving dynamics – even if we can’t afford one. But what if a mass-market manufacturer, like South Korea’s Hyundai, decides to shake up this snooty club – would you be willing to give it a fair shot?

Let’s start with the Tucson, since we can’t seem to stop gushing over the way it looks. For the last couple of years, Hyundai has been rolling out quite snazzy looking vehicles thanks to their Fluidic design philosophy – and the Tucson certainly doesn’t disappoint. I must admit that this Hyundai crossover had me at hello, thanks to its imposing hexagonal chrome grille and the striking double barrel LED head lamps. The Tucson not only manages to stand out in a sea of vehicles, but also comes across as a premium crossover. In profile, one could mistake it for a Santa Fe – which is more of compliment rather than anything else – and the gorgeous 18-inch alloy wheels do manage to mesmerise you. At the rear, the i20ish tail lamp design looks stunning and the dual exhausts add a bit of additional character.

Now while the BMW X1 might not make quite the statement that the Tucson does on road, it certainly looks better than its predecessor. Though it may lack the grandiosity one expects from this segment, the X1 isn’t a complete plain Jane as the flared wheel arches, large signature kidney grille, and the new, angular, twin circular full-LED head lamps do add a bit of zing to it.