THIS is a well-designed vehicle and clearly Hyundai understands its customers.

The 2016 Tucson Active X is a true mid-size suburban utility vehicle, priced well, optioned well and positioned well for people who want the convenience of its size and manoeuvrability without the need for four wheel drive. I mean, I can count the times I use the four wheel drive on my own old SUV on one hand and I don't think I ever really needed to engage it.

It was just there, so I used it.

This may be an entry spec Tucson, but the standard list of features and appointments on the front drive, five-seat, four-cylinder, 6-speed auto are very impressive.

And it's a good-looking SUV: wide, muscly and planted on four smart-looking standard 18" alloy (plus a real full-size spare - rare these days among car makers, is hidden under the floor in the back, on a matching alloy wheel! What a great feature.)

And since I've mentioned the back, let's talk about the impressive leg, hip and height room for the passengers.

The Tucson bigger than the i35 model it replaces and it offers more space than most, if not all, competitors in this class.

Oh, and the back seats (manually) recline.

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Like many SUVs designed for this crowded mid-size market, the window sills are high and the Tucson has a sweeping, tough-looking exterior that makes you feel embraced and safe on the inside.

That being said some drivers may feel rear visibility has been compromised due to its small rear quarter windows.

Thankfully large exterior mirrors help. An unexpected feature, at this level of car, was that both front door mirrors flick closed at the touch of a button on the inside driver's door panel - a bonus when parking in tight spots.

There are many things I like about driving the Tucson: the steering is weighted and feels appropriately loose and taut at respective low and higher speeds; it feels solid and handles nicely; the manually adjusted (including height), standard leather appointed front seats are contoured in the right places and the driving position is excellent; the 2.0 litre engine is matched well to the six-speed automatic and the economy, normal and sport settings aren't just there for show -- you can feel the difference in each mode.

It has an excellent rear view camera, too, displayed on the seven inch in-dash screen as well as reversing sensors (which make up for the bulky rear pillars).

What I like most, though, is the lack of gadgetry. So many cars are dripping in bells and whistles these days to the point of distraction. Simple, straight forward manual AC controls and other buttons and dials are within easy reach.

The infotainment system has built in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so you can plug your smart phone into the car.

There is no need to learn new operating or satellite navigation systems - those features are already on the device you already own.

The tilt/telescopic steering wheel is fully adjustable (all cars should have them).

There are three power outlets (two up front and one in the boot, though I wish on e had been placed somewhere in centre of the vehicle) and storage is generous. The Tucson even comes with a cargo net to hold down any packages you might have on the rear floor; a thoughtful touch, like so many in this car.

There is a long list of standard safety equipment including full side curtain air bags in this family-sized SUV.

Another nice thing about the Tucson (and its larger sibling, the seven-seat Santa Fe) is that it is not an oversized-in-your-face SUV but a practical, economical, versatile all-rounder.

In the United States, physicians sometimes advise their clients to move to Arizona (the city of Tucson is located in Arizona) because its beautiful, dry south-west environment is easy to get around in, predictable and conducive to healthy living. Like the city it's named after, the South Korean Tucson is similarly rugged, contemporary and stylish.

It is definitely worth a visit to DC Motors for an examination and test drive.