Iain Dooley finds the new Hyundai Tucson 2WD combines off-road looks with family car comfort and also comes with bags of extra kit.

If it looks like an off-roader and drives like an off-roader then it must be an off-roader, right? Well, that’s no longer the case with a new breed of 4x4s or Sports Utility Vehicles as they are sometimes called.

The term ‘soft-roader’ might not be new, but it’s often an appropriate way to describe the less capable off-roaders on the market – all show and no go springs to mind.

There’s nothing worse than testing a big, chunky-looking SUV and finding that it runs home to mummy at the first sign of slippery terrain.

And anyway, it’s common knowledge that the vast majority of SUVs never stray from the comfort of a sealed road.

Mud? They wouldn’t know what it was even if it blocked their tyre treads. So why bother with the complexities of four-wheel drive and the associated modest fuel consumption?

SUVs are often viewed as a sensible alternative to a big family estate, so why not ditch the extra oily bits if you’re never going to use them?

Why not indeed. Hyundai has done just that with selected versions of its mid-size Tucson SUV.

If you need the extra grip, versatility and performance then all-wheel drive models are available. If, however, you take the view that such a car trumps a conventional family estate or people carrier for versatility, you’re not alone in thinking that the chunky Hyundai is an attractive front-wheel drive, high-rise holdall.

Hyundai has been making the Tucson for a while now, and this latest generation car has done much to help the car maker turn a corner perception-wise.

Its recently sharpened looks, more polished appearance inside and out plus a dynamic performance to rival that of some of its more expensive rivals have all made even the worst badge snobs – buyers and critics – sit up and take notice.

The decision-making process starts early with the Tucson – petrol or diesel is the first major fork in the road. If you don’t travel that far then the 139bhp 2.0-litre petrol lump makes a lot of sense – it’s pleasingly quiet and refined.

If you’re more of an active type, cover a lot of miles or simply want a car with plenty of grunt, the 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel is likely to appeal.

There’s something intrinsically right about an SUV powered by a diesel engine , and the CRDT motor in the Tucson easily stands up to scrutiny when sampled alongside the established European competition.

It too is quiet and refined, and it’s also immensely capable. It’s easy to see why it’s the engine of choice for buyers of the four-wheel drive variant; gutsy low-down performance and effortless cruising ability provide the cornerstones of the driving experience.

Opting for diesel over petrol also affords you an upgrade in the equipment department. Moving from the petrol-only Comfort trim to Style, you gain climate control, a trip computer, heated front seats, cruise control and rear parking sensors.

That said, the base specification of auxiliary and USB audio connections, privacy glass, body-coloured bumpers and trim, electric windows all-round, front fog lights, roof rails, dual front and side airbags and 16-inch alloy wheels is hardly hair shirt territory.

Opt for an auto gearbox over the standard six-speed manual and you’ll be spirited to the flagship Premium trim, which boasts the likes of full leather trim, ESP and traction control, automatic headlights, electric sunroof and folding door mirrors.

Oh, and all this can be had for less than the price of a medium-spec Mondeo. Still want that conventional family car now?

There’s no question that Hyundai has done an excellent job making the Tucson look and feel attractive.

Whether it’s the car’s competitive asking price, the choice of high quality cabin materials or the equally high impressive build quality, this so-called soft-roader has been constructed to appeal to the hard-nosed accountant inside us all.

All this would have been enough just a few years ago, but the game has moved on.

Driving dynamics and versatility form an important part of the equation, and it’s good to report that the Tucson scores highly on both counts.

The high driving position, gutsy diesel motor, supple ride, minimal body roll and spacious cabin all contribute to what is an excellent value package.

By Iain Dooley