BY H. THROTTLE
AUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST
Hyundai has produced another winning model in the Tucson all-wheel drive SUV. A 2.5L 4-cylinder 187 hp. engine, linked to an 8-speed “Shiftronic” versatile transmission. The Tucson is assembled in Ulsan, Korea with Korean engine and transmission with a power-train warranty of 10 years, or 100,000 miles.
The Tucson is fully loaded with the latest navigation and long list of safety features that are included in the total price of $33,670. A very competitive package in the compact SUV, all-wheel drive category.
The exterior is “Portofina Gray” and the interior black with leather trim on steering wheel and shift knob. The driver’s seat has lumbar controls and front heated seats. A Bose sound system on a 10.25-inch color screen offers all of the controls.
What is most appealing with the Tucson is the attractive appearance teamed with exceptional handling and precise steering. The ride is comfortable, and the powertrain performs well. Missing is a turbo component, but the 2.5L engine performs well and provides an overall 26 mpg. in fuel economy. The eight-speed transmission works well with versatile gear selections and three drive modes of snow, smart, and sport choices. The “sport” selection featured an extra burst of power for mountain roads and the “smart” selection provided better mpg. with the rising cost of gas.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has given a “Top Safety Pick” to the Tucson and a five-star safety rating.
This is a very attractive SUV for family usage, large trunk space, good rear leg room, phone charger pad, and every safety feature all included in the list price.
The Hyundai powertrain warranty is outstanding, and this is an overall very “smart” vehicle selection for versatile work or play.