Glos Guy, A couple of questions from a veteran friend who works down at the garrison who is thinking of ordering one, but can’t seem to get a straight answer – from either the Hyundai website or main dealer! Is the 4WD system controlled by the driver (i.e. has an on/off button somewhere) or is it a fully automatic system only controlled by the vehicle? I take it there is no option to lock the diff(s) either centre or side/wheel control? Does the 4WD (if auto controlled) in effect cut out above circa 20mph or so on straight roads (or even cornering)? Does the vehicle come as standard with tyres to enhance the traction of the 4WD system or just standard summer road tyres – i.e. more for economy than traction? Thanks P.S. – He has had a drive in my Ineos Grenadier and I think he is hoping for something like the 4WD control and capability that I have. However, I think he may be somewhat disappointed, but I did say I would ask!
Like most modern 4WD systems on cars designed for road use, the system is fully automated. The car will determine whether to run in 2WD or 4WD but it will also vary power to each individual wheel if required. There is a graphic you can easily call up in the instrument cluster that gives a constant live display of the power applied to each wheel (each wheel has a mini bar graph which ranges from one bar to – from memory- 5 or 6 bars). There are also switchable drive / terrain modes for different surfaces (snow / mud / sand) but I’ve not used them yet. The tyres are Michelin Primacy4 235/50 R19 so I assume they are normal road tyres, perhaps designed for 4WD cars, but that’s a guess based on the ‘4’. I don’t believe that you can switch 4WD on / off and / or lock the diff but I’m not technical. @kezo knows far more about the technical / mechanical stuff so hopefully he may add or correct the above. P.S. When you said you’d got a Grenadier, as I hadn’t heard of them I watched a YouTube review of them. What a beauty. A proper luxury off roader. Did I read the other day that they have just suspended building them?
Hi BD, The Tucson has Michelin Primarcy 4’s, extra load rated. They are a summer tyre. It’s actually AWD rather than 4WD and does not have Diff lock or HI and Low gearing. However, Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel drive system is designed to combine the capabilities of a 4WD system with the performance and full efficiency of front-wheel drive. While the AWD system is always engaged drivers have the option of selecting one of three driving modes. It is also mechanical, rather than an electric motor seen on many AWD SUV’s today. There are plenty of video’s showing its off road capability, including this hybrid one. https://youtu.be/wq3Gg2–qmk
Thanks Kezo,
I will pass it on.
Hopefully he will watch the video and decide from there.