Different world

26 Sep 2026

Ian Lamming reduces his screentime as the motoring world starts to reinvent the wheel

The difference is instant, welcome and has to be much safer.

After a spell driving Chinese SUVs, jumping in something Korean is a revelation.

I can only think that China is using teenagers to design their technology/human interfaces because every single function is on the touchscreen.

Leaping from one such vehicle to Hyundai’s stalwart Tucson is a joy as everything is so clearly laid out and easy to use.

You might have guessed but touchscreens wind me up.

I find them unfathomable, uncomprehensible and irritating beyond belief.

The human brain simply cannot remember the proliferation of layers on which the basic functions of life hide away, especially when those same little grey cells are carrying out another million tasks trying to keep the car on the road and away from similarly baffled motorists.

It’s a recipe for disaster, carnage, insurance claims, even court cases.

By contrast Hyundai uses technology wisely.

So the climate controls are obvious, in the middle of the dash and marked with icons that make the system a cinch to operate.

They are still touch rather than prod but you can see exactly where they are and the heating controls are actually knobs – yes knobs! Bliss.

Sitting neatly above that is the infotainment. Real pressy buttons this time, all clearly marked and the volume control is yet another knob.

The radio is on the touchscreen but it is easy to find and change and it could not be simpler to plumb in your mobile via Bluetooth for handsfree phone and showtunes.

You can also turn off the dreaded keep lane assist by pressing a single button on the steering wheel.

On the centre armrest there are more real buttons for driving functions and the gear-lever is on a stalk on the right of the steering column, American-style.

There is plenty of tech, don’t get me wrong, but it is sensible, useful and adds to the driving experience rather than detract from it.

And that driving experience feels good too. Well it would, given all the other stuff has just put me in the best of moods.

The 1.6 litre turbo-charged hybrid is good for 240hp and 50mpg so while it is spirited to drive it is also economical.

The ride is very clever and is controlled and comfortable, while the steering is nice and light and the brakes powerful.

So whether you are in town, blatting down country roads or cruising along the motorway, it is pretty peerless.

Its contemporary looks are standing the test of time and, given the number of Tucsons you see on the roads, they are still appealing to the masses.

It is also a sizeable SUV so swallows passengers and their clutter with ease but it’s not too big to manoeuvre in tight car parks and along traffic-choked streets.

Faults? Well it did jerk a tad, possibly when it was switching between electric and internal combustion engine, but that could probably be smoothed out with a quick trip to the workshop for a software update, I’m sure.

I wasn’t supposed to have the Tucson this week, I was due to get the Ioniq6N but somebody bumped it.

That said, I am grateful to the person who did because it gave me an opportunity to test the Tucson again, to remind me what a fine vehicle it really is.