Hyundai’s Tucson, the successor to the ix35, aims to be the brand’s second best-seller (after the i30) with a target in a full year of 20,000 units, half of which will go to the business car market.

That target looks completely achievable for the new crossover because Hyundai has got the recipe just right for fleet customers.

On paper, the Tucson has all the ingredients spot on, particularly for the best-selling 1.7 diesel SE Nav tested here. The model is very well equipped for the price and includes a host of desirable fleet features such as heated front seats with powered lumbar adjustment, twin-zone climate control, auto headlights, power-fold mirrors, parking sensors, cruise control, Bluetooth and the eight-inch touch-screen with TomTom navigation.

The engine is frugal with an official fuel figure of 61.7mpg, and the CO2 figure at 119g/km is competitive, if not quite class-leading.

The Tucson also excels beyond the paper statistics. The driving experience has been set up very well with first-rate composure over bumpy roads yet minimal body roll in the corners. The only negative is that there could be more feel from the lifeless steering. However, the well set-up suspension means journeys can be both relaxing and refined or fun.

The only real downside to Hyundai’s 116hp 1.7 is that it lacks shove, and as a result the car is noticeably slower to accelerate than similarly powered rivals. While this isn’t an issue for the majority of journeys, if you were to load the car heavily it could struggle up motorway inclines.

Inside the Tucson there’s a good amount of space with, Hyundai claims, class-leading rear-seat passenger room. There’s also a large 488-litre boot with a full-size spare under the floor.

Interior quality is another strong point. Materials used in the dashboard make you think ‘class above’ and the large touchscreen is easy to use too.

Overall, the Hyundai Tucson has all the ingredients to make the car very popular. This would then keep the excellent early residuals strong and whole-life costs low, a combination that has the ability to make the Tucson a business winner.