Can Hyundai Tucson Go Off-Road? (Must Read)

Hyundai, the parent company of Kia, is popular in the automobile market. It is known for the production of sleek, reliable, luxury vehicles.

The Hyundai Tucson is a five-seater SUV that performs well on city roads, but you may wonder if it can tread off-road?

The Hyundai Tucson is built for soft, tarmacked city roads, but a car can go anywhere you want. Therefore Tucson can venture off-road if you tread with caution. Though they may experience minute problems while off-roaring with this vehicle, they can be avoided or handled.

Can Hyundai Tucson Drive Off-road?

Yes, the Hyundai Tucson can drive off-road, but it won’t be an easy ride. The car’s design is for luxury and comfort, not adventures. 

The strength and size of your tires play a major role in deciphering the paths your vehicle can follow with ease. A look at the exterior of this car shows you that the tires are moderate; as such, the car is low.

As a result, though it can absorb bumps and road cracks, the components beneath the car will hit the ground.

Frequent contact with the ground could result in wear and tear of the underneath parts.

These parts include the bumper, exhaust pipe, rear frame, o2 sensor, rear differential, suspension, etc. Since these parts are protective and vital, damage to them would cost a lot, and you’d want to avoid extra expenses. 

All these points lead us to the fact that while you can take your Hyundai Tucson on off-road terrains, you should consider certain factors.

Factors to Consider When Going Off-road With a Hyundai Tucson

While it is best to stick to city routes while driving a Hyundai Tucson, we can’t discredit the fact that the vehicle can handle a few rough terrains.

However, challenges will surface if you try to venture into the deep with this luxury AWD Vehicle. In essence, while going off-road, you should be mindful of your paths.

Though light off-roading will be just fine, don’t expect the Tucson to deliver the off-road capabilities of a vehicle like the Land Cruiser.

If you do, you will encounter disappointment because the Hyundai Tucson lacks a locking differential, metal plate protector, and carriage. 

Let’s browse through the factors you should pay attention to when off-reading.

#1. Your Vehicle’s Structure and Tire

The Tucson is a vehicle that has structural support, lightweight, and engine mount, enabling plying of moderately rugged paths.

If your tires are not all-season tires, visit your dealership for an upgrade. Hyundai Pirelli tires are also a good fit for all weathers. 

Also, it is not enough to have good tires. Endeavor to check the tire pressure before heading out as it is responsible for stability.

#2. The Weather Condition

It’s no news that bad weather conditions do more harm than good. So, never venture out in stormy weather.

However, if you happen to get caught up in one, your Tucson’s elaborate features can help you handle bad weather to an extent.

#3. Drivetrain Option 

The Tucson offers an all-wheel drive that automatically distributes power to tires when it notices slippage.

The torque provides increased traction; thus, it can handle rain, snow, and rough terrains. It also provides an AWD lock for off-roading, deep snow/mud, and steep inclines.

#4. The Landscape

Your Tucson can only handle light off-roading; therefore, you should explore the terrains. Be wary of side slopes and high gradient slopes.

Engage the safety features you will find below if you must pass through steep slopes. 

Tips for Off-roading with the Hyundai Tucson 

Here are a few tips which can guarantee you a better driving experience on off-road terrains.

While it’s a nice idea to explore the versatility of your car, read through these before you do.

• Before you begin, engage the all-wheel-drive lock and downhill brake control. Then shift into the first gear.
• Don’t speed as you go. Instead, maintain an easy pace, and scan obstacles as you drive.
• You should never venture off-road with a luxury vehicle on impulse. Instead, you ought to plan and prepare for it.
• If you are new to off-roading, take a few off-road driving lessons before attempting it on your own
• It is good to always tell someone where you are going, especially when driving alone. You’ll find this extremely useful if you experience dire circumstances.
• Survey the landscape and terrain you intend to explore to ensure your tires can cope.
• Never venture out in unclear weather. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Pros of Driving Offroad With the Hyundai Tucson

Though the Hyundai Tucson is not a standard off-road vehicle, it certainly has a few tricks that make the experience worthwhile.

Did you know that the Hyundai Tucson has won a Top Safety Pick Award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety? Well, prepare to be dazzled by its safety features.

• The vehicle has helpful technology like the Downhill Brake Control to assist drivers on difficult descents. You can engage it on steep slopes by coming off the brakes so you can focus on the steering wheel.
• The Hill-Start Assist Control is another exciting feature that prevents the vehicle from rolling backward in dicey situations. 
• It has 19-inch alloy wheels capable of creating clearance space useful when engaging in steep climbs and snow.
• The AWD lock provides a torque differential split between the front and rear wheels. This system enhances traction when faced with gravel roads, rain, or snow.
• The Active Cornering Control can send torque to wheels with higher traction. It can also break the inner rear wheel and deliver torque to the outer rear wheel to handle unclear weather.

Cons of Off-roading with Hyundai Tucson 

It’s time to assess the dangers and disadvantages associated with plying unruly terrains with this sleek SUV.

• You endanger your car’s suspension as it will suffer damage after recurring contact with an obstacle.
• You won’t experience much driving ease as your focus will be on the landscape. You also can’t go heavy on off-roading. 
• The Hyundai Tucson is slow to accelerate as it requires 8.8 seconds to transition from 0 to 60 mph.
• The vehicle will scrape once it encounters high bumps, leading to wear and tear. And, fixing an SUV costs much.
• The Hyundai Tucson can’t take you far while off reading. It’s meant for subtle conditions.

Off-Road Testing the 2022 Hyundai Tucson’s HTRAC AWD

Conclusion

The Hyundai Tucson, a subcompact SUV, is a reliable vehicle that can handle various conditions. It does well on tarred roads, gravel tracks, and even light-duty off-roading due to its numerous safety features.

However, though the vehicle can handle off-roading, I do not recommend it. Therefore, it would be best to stick to highways with this luxury vehicle.