Until the arrival of this Tucson model, Hyundai’s idea of a Qashqai-style family Crossover model was encapsulated by its ix35.

That car sold quite well but somehow, never quite captured the imagination of the buying public.

The Tucson though, is a leaner, meaner-looking contender that might well catapult the Korean brand into credible contention in this important growing segment.

People have come to expect a lot when it comes to driving Crossover cars.

Although they want a lofty perch, they also want to feel like they could be driving a hatchback.

The Tucson delivers exactly this blend of virtues, hence its very road-biased suspension setup - and the overwhelming emphasis on two wheel drive models across the range.

We’ll be driving this car soon but early indications are that all bases are covered when it comes to engines with a good selection of both petrols and diesels.

At the lower end of the range, there’s a choice of a 132PS 1.6 GDi petrol or a 116PS CRDi 1.7 diesel.

Move a little higher and you can upgrade to a turbocharged 1.6 GDi with 177PS.

Diesel fans will find a 2.0 CRDi with either 136PS or 185PS.

If you want 4WD, then you’ll need the turbo petrol or one of the 2.0-litre diesels.

With an imposing hexagonal grille and sleek Santa Fe-style headlights, the Tucson is a good looking Crossover.

The wheel arches are pulled backwards which, along with the rising window line and prominent creases in the flanks, adds some athleticism to the side profile.

So, what do we have? The tough looks of an SUV, the sensible practicality of a 5-seater mini-MPV and the affordability of a family hatchback.

These are the facts behind a Tucson model good enough to attract many new buyers to the Hyundai brand.

It’s nicely built, efficient to run and quite capable in 4WD form of getting everywhere any ordinary family driver might want to go.

No, it’s not perfect - a class-leading family hatch might offer slightly sharper handling and better all-round visibility - but these aren’t deal-breaking issues.

More important will be this model’s competitive pricing and lengthy warranty. It’s a Hyundai of the modern era.

And that makes it a very impressive car indeed.