2005 Hyundai Tucson Preview

Little SUV, Big Value

The Santa Fe has done a great deal for Hyundai since its inception a few years ago. It not only reaches an entirely new, slightly more affluent demographic than the cars purveyed when the Korean automaker hit the American scene in 1985, but enhances the brands image as well.

But the Santa Fe is big compared to some of its lightweight competitors, making an opportunity for something a little more compact to come to market. Enter the Tucson, the much anticipated compact SUV unveiled at the Chicago auto show on February 4.

Theres no question of this 5-door SUVs heritage, its clearly a Hyundai. Pulling sculpted styling cues from the larger Santa Fe, especially in the grille and hood, albeit modernized variations of its big brothers organic theme, the new model looks tough in a pesky, impudent kind of way.

On the inside its less organic than the Santa Fe, showing a clean, modern design language that should be welcomed by consumers. A leather-wrapped steering wheel joined leather trim in the pre-production show car, a hint that Hyundai will offer an upscale environment in fully-loaded versions. Rather than the common brushed aluminum accents, Tucson trim surfaces get an attractive platinum finish that brightens up the cabin while offering a unique motif. Materials and workmanship look to be top-grade for this class, boding well for the little SUVs acceptance when it finally arrives.

Its said to be spacious inside as well, designed to accommodate four occupants in total comfort with the capability to carry one more in the rear seat center position when needed. The commodious cargo area gets larger when the split-folding rear seatbacks are dropped, and even allows for extremely long items to be hauled if the front passenger seatback is folded forward - a feature that is showing up more and more these days. While the cargo floor initially seems to be carpeted, its actually a removable mat that once taken out exposes a more resilient, easier to clean plastic floor with tie-down hooks for gear.

While not designed for towing heavy loads, the optional 2.7-L V6 with 173-hp and 178 lb-ft of torque will make the Tucson more capable than any competitor. A 2.0-L 4-cylinder producing an estimated 140-hp at 6,000 rpm and 136 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm comes standard, mated to a 5-speed manual, Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) transmission or 4-speed Shiftronic manual-mode automatic. The V6 comes with the Shiftronic automatic only.

Four-wheel-drive can be ordered with either engine, and its an impressive setup. Made by Borg-Warner, the Electronic InterActive Torque Management 4-wheel drive system saves fuel over traditional 4WD by running up to 99 percent of the engines power through the front wheels when traction is good. When road surfaces are slippery, the system automatically monitors throttle position, front wheel angle and slippage before sending up to 50 percent of the power to the rear wheels. Whats more, a dash-mounted 4WD lock button allows the driver to manually lock the driveline into 50 percent front, 50 percent rear four-wheel drive when needed.

Its handling should be decent too, due to power-assisted rack and pinion steering, and MacPherson struts with coil springs up front and a trailing arm with multi-link and coil springs in the rear. Both front and rear setups include hydraulic shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar.

The Tucson will arrive with standard 4-wheel disc brakes, unusual for this segment, with sophisticated 4-channel, 4-sensor ABS optional. Electronic traction control will also be on the options list, with standard 16-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels on 215/65R-16 tires helping out in the grip department. Optional 6-spoke alloys with 235/60R-16 BF Goodrich tires are available.

But the expected driving dynamics arent all that impresses with the Tucson, its long list of standard features should also set it apart from rivals when it comes to value. Air conditioning is reported to be standard, as will be power windows and door locks, a remote keyless entry alarm system, a 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system, heated outside rear view mirrors, tinted glass, roof rack side rails, and a rear intermittent wiper, plus safety features that include seat-mounted side-impact airbags for the driver and front seat passenger and side curtain airbags for all outboard occupants.

Order the Tucson with a V6 and add on a tire pressure warning system and a convenient windshield de-icer.

Optional features will include the aforementioned leather seating surfaces, anti-lock brakes and traction control, plus a power sunroof with tilt, heated front seats, fog lamps, an AM/FM/Cassette/MP3 (standard on GLS), AM/FM/Cassette/CDC with a woofer (standard on LX), roof rack cross rails and rear privacy glass.

“The new Hyundai Tucson is a value-packed SUV that will complement the buyers active lifestyles,” stated Hyundai Motor Americas President and CEO Robert F. Cosmai. “Tucson has all the features buyers have come to expect from Hyundai and its covered by Americas best warranty, The Hyundai Advantage which includes the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.”

And just how will it stack up to its peers in other ways? Well, while it offers the most powerful optional engine when compared to Toyotas RAV4, Hondas CR-V and Mitsubishis Outlander, to name only three of a very crowded market, its also the heaviest of the four in V6 4WD trim. This could result in a more substantial feel, especially at highway speeds.

While not the longest overall the Tucsons wheelbase is longer than any these three competitors, which should translate into optimal interior space combined with easy city maneuverability. It is, however, the tallest and widest in the group, with the widest front and rear track for what should be enhanced cornering ability.

Due to arrive in showrooms this coming summer as a 2005 model, the Tucson will no doubt offer a more approachable price point than any of its competitors, expected to start under $15,000. Sport utility ownership will soon be affordable by an entirely new audience.

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