Last month, we tried the top-of-the-range diesel version of Hyundai's mid-sized SUV. Now we turn our attention to the most powerful petrol model, the 1.6 T-GDI, in the sporty N-Line equipment grade, and even though it is fundamentally the same car, it offers a surprisingly different experience.

The specific model we are looking at here is the 1.6 T-GDI DCT N-Line. To decode the alphabet soup for you, that means it has the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 177hp and the dual-clutch automatic gearbox. N-Line is Hyundai's sporty equipment grade, which was introduced on the Tucson last year.

Frustrating gearbox

With a P11D of £26,950, it is almost £1,000 cheaper than the much less powerful 1.6 diesel and a useful £6,000 cheaper than the similarly brisk 2.0-litre diesel, although the latter only starts from the higher-spec 'Premium' equipment grade.

If this all sounds quite appealing, the big downside is that it emits 151g/km of CO2, putting it in the 34% BIK band. The manual version emits even more CO2, putting it in the highest 37% band. Thanks to the competitive P11D value and the generous equipment, you shouldn't rule the Tuscon 1.6 T-GDI out, but it is not as great a deal it might seem at first.

With the manual gearbox working out at a higher tax rate, the automatic is the obvious choice, although that may not be a good thing. Being a modern dual-clutch gearbox, the shifts themselves are lightning fast, but the software makes it very reluctant to downshift, therefore sometimes leaving you with a car that might as well have 77hp rather than 177. Once it does wake up, it has a tendency to change down several gears at once, setting the engine racing and even spinning the wheels. The conventional auto in the 2.0-litre diesel makes for much smoother progress.

The engine - when in the right gear - is more than powerful enough, and on a cruise is nice and smooth. The petrol engines don't benefit from the mild hybrid system that was introduced on the diesels - potentially a missed opportunity given that the 1.6 T-GDI averaged about 30mpg during its time with us. Curiously, the start-stop system, which was rather uncouth in the 48V diesel, is largely unobtrusive in the petrol.

Worthwhile upgrade

The N-Line equipment grade is a worthwhile upgrade. Compared with the lower grades, it offers an upgraded infotainment system, a wireless charging pad, heated leather and suede seats, some sporty detailing, a smaller steering wheel, 19in wheels and sports suspension.

On a lot of cars, the latter only serves to make the ride more uncomfortable and not much else. While it does detract from the ride quality somewhat in the Tucson, it offers much more composed handling in return. N-Line doesn't turn the Tucson into a sports car (nor would you want it to), but it does give you more confidence in case you find yourself navigating some twisty country lanes.