HYUNDAI has come a long, long way in the 30 years since it debuted on the Australian market with cut-price econoboxes favoured by pensioners or the penniless.

Few cars demonstrate this better than the universally acclaimed Tucson mid-size SUV that offers enough style, driving pleasure, practicality, quality and ease-of-use to challenge – and in many cases beat – the segment’s very best. Pricing is very much up there these days too, but Hyundai has not forgotten its value-for-money roots and provides heaps of standard kit as well.

If the Tucson range encapsulates Hyundai’s achievements to date, then this limited-run 30 Special Edition is a fitting celebration. A debutante-like makeover adds heaps of head-turning road presence, while the flagship turbo-petrol, all-wheel-drive powertrain is available for the first time to those who cannot stretch to the up-spec Elite and Highlander variants.

We loved it.

Click here for the full review...