First look: Tucson for the city

Hyundai has launched a two-wheel drive version of its Tucson compact 4WD, to be pitched as a rival to small wagons such as the Corolla, Astra and Lancer.

Dubbed Tucson City, the new entry-level Hyundai 4WD employs the Elantra’s 105kW 2.0-litre VVT four (instead of the 2.6-litre V6 found in other Tucsons) to drive its front wheels.

Aiming to create a new compact 4WD sub-segment along similar lines as Ford’s rear-drive Territory, Tucson City will be priced at $25,990. Despite its $4000-lower price tag, Tucson City offers similar equipment to its AWD stablemates,including 16-inch alloys, traction control and colour-coded bumpers - but no bodyside cladding.

At 164kg lighter than the AWD Tucson, the City consumes more than two litres less fuel per 100km, at 9.2L/100km.