Overview:
This is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson Ltd., FWD. It is named after the American desert town in Arizona, styled in Germany, and built in South Korea. It’s value packed, too—touchscreen infotainment with satellite radio is standard. This Limited model has navigation, leather seats, and front-wheel drive that are standard. It is powered by a 175-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, seven-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive is optional.
It was a joy to drive. I kept thinking that I could own this car/SUV. It has almost everything I want in a car. However, I would make sure my Tucson included smart cruise control.
General Information: It is assembled in Ulsan, Korea; Parts – US/Canadian 0%, Korea 93%; Engine & Transmission – Korea; Classification is Small SUV. Cars from Hyundai: Accent, Azera, Elantra, Elantra Coupe, Elantra GT, Equus, Genesis, Genesis Coupe, Santa Fe, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Sonata Plug-in Hybrid, Tucson and Veloster.
Handling & Performance:
Everybody has a different like when it comes to steering feel. Some want more steering effort, others less. Well, with Drive Mode Select, you get to choose. Drive Mode adjusts both engine and transmission response and steering effort to match your driving style. Select from three modes: Eco, Normal or Sport by simply touching a button on the center console.
Turbocharging makes it fast which is welcomed because for normal driving you don’t always need the boost but nice to have in a pinch, all the while maintaining good fuel economy.
Styling:
All competition is very similar is styling but taken as a whole Hyundai cars and crossovers are my favorites.
Fit and Finish:
Excellent.
Cost:
Priced competitively
Conveniences and comfort:
Most every feature you’d ever need and more.
Consumer Recommendations:
The only other feature I would want to be included in my car is the Crash Avoidance that I equate with Smart or Adaptive Cruise control. That, to me, is among the most valuable of technology features available in today’s cars. That I’d be happy to pay extra for. One day, however, such features will be standard. Until then we’ll have to pop for the added cost, but it is worth it.
Recognized Competition:
Hyundai Tucson $23-32,000, Mazda CX-5 $23-31,000, Ford Escape $24-33,000.
Honda CRV $25-34,000, Kia Sportage $23-32,000, Jeep Cherokee $24-39,000, Chevrolet Equinox $26,000, Jeep Patriot $27,000, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport $23,000, Subaru Forester $23-35,000, Toyota RAV-4 $27,000 and Jeep Wrangler $25-38,000.
Good News:
Well priced, one of the best warrantees of any car, quiet and smooth ride, Turbo gives it that needed boost and is good on gas.
Bad News:
n/a
Standard Equipment:
1.6 liter Turbo GDI 175 hp 4-cylinder engine, 7-speed ECO-shift auto transmission, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with electronic brake assist and brake force distribution, stability and traction controls, down hill brake control, Hillstart assist control, front and front side and side curtain airbags, tire pressure monitor, drive mode select, 19” allow wheels, side mirror turn signal indicators, proximity key with push button start, fog lights, LED taillights, leather seating with heated front seats, power front seats, 60/40 split folding rear seats, power windows and door locks, dual auto temp climate control, tilt and telescopic steering comumn, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio, cruise and phone controls, Bluetooth hands free phone system , 8” Touch screen, navigation system with rearview camera, Sirius XM radio, AM/FM MP3 premium audio with USB and Aux input jacks, Leather wrapped shift knob, Blind Spot detection, with rear cross traffic alert and Lane change assist.
Gas Stats:
$2.57/ Gal avg. September 17, 2016
for more information.
25 City and 30 Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $29,900.