Hyundai Tucson scores Bluelink telematics

HYUNDAI’S rollout of Bluelink connected car services has continued in earnest with the 2023 Tucson Elite and Highlander medium SUVs due to receive the technology in March, quickly following top-spec Elite trim of the Venue light SUV.

 

Priced respectively from $39,900 and $46,900 (plus on-road costs), the Tucson Elite and Highlander variants are both up $500 compared with their 2022 model year counterparts.

 

The entry-level Tucson with front-wheel drive, six-speed automatic transmission and 115kW/192Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine remains unchanged and is priced from $34,900 + ORC.

 

Tucson Elite and Highlander variants are available with more engine choices including the 2.0-litre petrol that is joined by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol delivering 132kW/265Nm and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with 137kW/416Nm.

 

Both petrol and diesel turbo engines feature all-wheel drive through automatic transmissions. The petrol turbo utilises a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox while the diesel has an eight-speed torque-converter auto.

 

All other features and specifications across the three variant 2023 Tucson range remain unchanged from the 2022 model year.

 

Bluelink includes features such as automatic collision notification, conversational voice control, connected routing, valet mode, weather updates, calendar synchronisation, destination send-to-car, last-mile navigation, remote control of cabin temperatures, window open/close and door lock/unlock plus vehicle health reports, find my car, and cloud-based backups of preferred vehicle settings.

 

Late last year, Hyundai announced its intention to have a fully ‘connected car’ line-up in Australia within two years through the smartphone app-driven Bluelink telematics technology that debuted on the Palisade large SUV last winter.

 

Hyundai Australia product planning manager Jonathan Lam said at the recent Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid launch that Bluelink opens a lot of technology doors for Hyundai owners but the company had no plans to use it to move into paid subscriptions as Toyota and others have done with their connected services suites.

 

“We are watching closely what happens with other brands regarding subscription services but at this point they are not under consideration,” he said.

 

“Our focus with Bluelink is to provide more features to our customers, not start charging them monthly fees.”

  

Hyundai says the rollout of Bluelink connected car services marks a step change on Hyundai’s mission to create smart mobility solutions and a better future for everyone.

 

2023 Hyundai Tucson pricing*:

 

 

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.