Is an ‘N-Line’ branded crossover a step too far for Hyundai’s new ‘N’ performance brand? Ted Welford finds out.

What is it?

(Hyundai)

Hyundai shocked the world back in 2017 when it showed off the i30 N hot hatch. When this South Korean manufacturer announced its intentions to break into the performance car world, many scoffed at the thought and certainly didn’t expect much from it.

But the doubters were wrong, and the i30 N has since gone on to be one of the more coveted hot hatches on sale.

Little wonder then that Hyundai is expanding its ‘N’ range. Following the hot five-door i30, came the sleeker Fastback model, and then came the introduction of N-Line – one of the easiest ways of exploiting these performance sub-brands. Just look at Mercedes and the success of ‘AMG Line’.

And now there is a new N-Line on the block, the Tucson SUV.

What’s new?

(Hyundai)

It might seem odd for an N-Line version to come before the N, but it hasn’t stopped Hyundai from giving its best-selling Tucson the sporty treatment.

First up the styling, which sees the Tucson being given the trademark N-Line design to make it look as if it has some punchy V6 petrol engine under the bonnet. The inside also benefits from suede sports seats, along with lashings of red stitching dotted throughout the cabin.

But there are also a few dynamic changes, too, though these are purely offered on the petrol-powered Tucson N-Line. More on those later.

What’s under the bonnet?

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