The on-road dynamics of the Tucson is almost car-like, since it has underpinnings sourced from the Elantra. Which is not exactly very good news, since unless the 4WD lock is switched on, the Tucson is – and behaves like – a front-wheel driven diesel. That means a bit of wrestling with torque steer and minor steering corrections that are required to keep the car tracking properly. The car transforms to a true
corner hugger once the 4WD mode is engaged, but at the cost of drivetrain refinement. The end result is a capable car as long as you stick to tarmac or broken-road situations.
The Endeavour, on the other hand, avoids tarmac as if it is a soiled bedsheet. Its truck genes are suited to muck and it jumps around excitedly at the sight of proper off-road conditions. Driving the Endeavour in the 2WD mode (power going to the rear wheels, mind you) and sliding its dino tail around in slush is massively addictive and fun indeed. With a less lunatic 4WD pilot, the Endeavour can be coaxed to go places where the Tucson is better off not driven, thanks to the low-ratio that can be chosen the traditional way.
So which one comes close to the virtues of our benchmark? On-road, the Tucson is more like the Forester, but only when you are driving with the 4WD lock. Off-road, the Endeavour is actually better than our benchmark. If you live in town, our sincere advice to you is to buy the Hyundai Tucson – you will certainly enjoy the tall driving position, people friendly features, and yes, it is easier to park too. It will serve well as a neat transport to the nearby beach or hill-station, and give you that all-important outdoor-guy/girl image. But if you are the sort who has retired from a high paying IT job at the age of 35 to take up chicken farming – or at least you want to look that part – then the Endeavour is your transport. You will have a blast driving it to the farm and chicken are never known to complain about ride comfort. Essentially, the two cars are
as different as the proverbial chalk and cheese. Just that we prefer chocolate (the Forester) in this case.
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