Tucson

Vehicle: 2010 Hyundai Tucson Limited 4WD Automatic
Price as tested: CDN$32449

Performance: Since there is a Santa Fe sits above of Tucson, Hyundai thinks it doesn’t need a V6 engine for their entry-level SUV. That doesn’t mean Tucson is anything less than any of its rivals. In fact, its 2.4 liter 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve with dual CVVT, or Hyundai’s dual variable valve timing technology, has more than enough grunt to run with any of its peers. Hyundai’s powertrain has always been rated similarly to those Japanese top-tiers with it comes to engine refinement and flexability. This 2.4 liter has 176hp and 168 lb/ft of torque to move this compact ute’s 3516 curb weight with authority, thanks to the excellent 6-speed Shiftronic gearbox. With 1st and 2nd gear sets down for peppy acceleration, while 5th and 6th for comfortable highway cruising. It makes use of 176hp efficiently and effectively. The manumatic mode has also make for better use of the engine rpm. However, the lack of paddle shifters on the steering wheel have made this manumatic mode redundant.

Handling: With a smart AWD system and a wonderfully stiff chassis, Tucson should be rated as one of the better handlers when it comes to compact ute segment. The chassis is sound and stiff, without any cracks and rattles, when driven through railroad tracks and washboard pavement. The AWD has worked exceptionally well with ESC, which is undetectable during its power transfer process to the offending wheel. On the other hand, steering provides decent feel and feedback with enough precision. Suspension is both comfortably compliant and firm when pushed. It doesn’t have some of its competition’s softness when driven through twisties. Tucson remains composed and confidence-inspiring when driven hard into any corner without breaking a sweat. There are some body rolls and safe understeer is expected in this kind of vehicle. The ESC works as a compliment to AWD as latter delivers power to the offending wheel before former steps in. This partnership works exceptionally well in rare harmony. The Tucson is a very delightful car, dynamically speaking.

Brakes: With standard 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, Tucson has a commandable stopping distance and pedal feel. The pedal feels solid and well-planted, while ABS doesn’t step in unnecessarily. Given Tucson’s weight, it doesn’t exhibit any braking fades after a couple of hard stops which is another delightful dynamic surprise.

Interior: The tailgate opens wide with squared cut off for maximum cargo space. Fold down the split fold down rear seat, the amount of cargo space in the Tucson is able to rival many of those compact wagon which is an added bonus. It has a much needed rear wash and wiper. If there is one major drawback, its the rear glass should open independently, which it doesn’t.

The rest of the interior layout is superb. As the Tucson got the usual array of standard features from an effective dual-zone climate control to full set of instrumentation gauges, which are both clear and analog. The use of leather and plastic materials are world-class, as we have expected from Hyundai products in recent years.

The rear seat is equally spacious with plenty of head and legroom. Consider Tucson’s physical dimensions, its way above of many of its peers have to be offered.

One major area we found really annoying with the Tucson is the rear visibility. With the thick C-pillars, its really hard to see through the back of the vehicle, it needs both back-up camera and parking sensors. With these 2 features, I can start to live with the Tucson even if I absolutely hate the large blind spots.

Conclusion: The original Tucson was a runaway success when it was introduced back in 2005. Hyundai has made a great compact ute even better. Everything else from power, handling, use of materials and styling all have taken a huge step forward over the original impressive original version. In short, Tucson is so good that it let you forget about the lack of an availability of a V6 engine.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2010 Hyundai Tucson
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.25/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.25/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 4/5

Overall rating: 4/5

Vehicle: 2005 Hyundi Tucson GLS V6 AWD
Price as tested: CDN$28850

Performance: There are 2 engines available in the Tucson. An Elantra-derived 2.0L 4 banger with 140 hp or the V6 in our tester, which is a 2.7L DOHC 24-valver that bumps out 173 horses or 178 lb/ft of torque. Hyundai’s engines really have gone a long way in the last couple of years. The NVH and level of refinement have reached the high helm of Japanese standard, which is a match for the best of Toyota and Nissan. This engine is also flexible at every rpm. With maximum torque arrives at 4 grand, the bottom end response is excellent given Tucson’s weight. The Shiftronic 4-speed manmatic is crisp and smooth, its also willing to upshifts whenever the driver needs it to be. Its also allow you to rev into redline before upshifting, which encourages more enthuisastic driving demanor unlike many of the more protective programs out there.

Handling: Tucson is based on next generation Elantra, which shares platform with the new Kia Spectra and Sportage. The chassis is stiff and completely feel of flex and rattles. This Hyundai’s AWD is a front-bias variety which means the system only works when it detects any slippage from any of the offending wheels. There are pros and cons to this kind of system. The pros are there are fewer mechanical parts and drive mostly like a front-drive family sedan all the time. On the other hand, the cons are when the computer detects the slippage, its probably a little too late when you are driven too hot into a corner. Despite of my criticism of this concept, the system in Tucson is a fast reacting one as I tested it on a slippery surface. Its a more responsive one than Honda’s RealTime although still a no match to full-time AWD. Dynamically speaking, Tucson is quite impressive. The body rolls are very well controlled, so as its understeer. The steering has decent responsive and feedback although its somewhat vague on-center, which is the biggest dynamic drawback. Pushed into a corner, Tucson feels like a sporty jacked-up family sedan instead of an SUV thanks to its sporty setting. If Hyundai is willing to give it a full-time AWD, its dynamic package would be hardly matched in mini-ute segment.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, Tucson’s brakes are some of the best in this segment. It has excellent pedal feel and modulation while the ABS only kicks in when absoultely necessary.

Interior: Inside the Tucson, its very well laid-out. The instrumentation gauges are clear and analog. There are 3 large dials for climate control which is very effective in chilly weather. All the switchgears are finished in a very high-quality fashion which means they are solid and excellently put together. The center console scores well with tasteful aluminum trim, as well as chrome around the dials for climate control. Although you still find some cheap pieces in minor places, its overall use of materials have beaten most competitors including RAV4 and Equinox. The leather seats are supportive and comfortable.

With the versatile 60/40 split fold-down rear seats and a low liftover, Hyundai desingers score another point for cargo accessibility and layout. They are also smart enough to design a tailgate window that open seperately.

Conclusion: After Hyundai succeed with the excellent Santa Fe, this Korean giant will have another homerun with Tucson. Its not only drives exceptionally well and come with an excellent pacakge, its also represents a great value when compare to its immediate competitions.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON GLS V6 AWD
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Performance: 4.75/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.75/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 5/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 4.75/5