2011 Hyundai Tucson

Review

The 2011 Hyundai Tucson is a winner by all means. The Tucson has been in the Hyundai family since 2004, and headlined the compact crossover Sports Utility Vehicle market for the Korean automaker since then. The 2011 Tucson follows in the footsteps of its 2009 and 2010 predecessors, by sharing the same generation and design. You can take it on-road or off-road, buy a 1.6 Liter Gamma Turbo Inline-4 engine or a 2.4 Liter Theta II Inline-4 engine; but however you cut it, the 2011 Hyundai Tucson is a stylish and smart choice.

Specs

One of the most eye-catching things about the 2011 Hyundai Tucson, a 5-passenger compact crossover SUV, is its starting MSRP. At $20,000 to $23,000, it's sure to capture the interest of prospective car buyers of all budgets. Considering how well it matches up with some of its closest competitors, like the CR-V and the RAV4, the 2011 Tucson is a veritable bargain. No V6 engine is being offered this year; instead, a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Theta engine comes standard. A 1.6-liter turbocharged engine will be available for Blue models. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are both available, too, making the Tucson a versatile choice.

On the Road

Previous incarnations of the Hyundai Tucson were already known for their exceptional handling and adept steering control. The 2011 model ups the ante with a few important tweaks that are sure to enhance the overall driving experience. A new multi-link rear suspension system and a MacPherson strut front both make for a smoother, more capable ride; new stabilizer bars also produce a more confident turning ability, keeping the vehicle firmly on all four wheels at all times. Drivers won't ever feel like they're losing control, even when they're pushing the envelope.

Turning is precise, to say the least, and this not-so-little Hyundai takes car-like luxury onto an SUV platform. This ride is built for the practical suburban family, who loves to take a joy-ride on the occasion. The multi-link rear suspension gives agile control to the driver's fingertips while improving roll-stability. The 2011 Hyundai Tucson doesn't shy away from the environmental scene either. It's significantly high miles per gallon rating (23 city and 31 highway) give practicality and style a new, more intelligent, meaning for the Korean auto market. Your move, Toyota.

Under the Hood

One of the things that really made the 2010 Tucson stand out was its available V6 engine. That engine is gone in 2011, replaced with a standard 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Theta that produces 176 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. This shouldn't be viewed as a negative, though, since this engine has phenomenal fuel economy. Blue models of the 2011 Tucson will come standard with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that boasts even better fuel economy. A manual six-speed transmission comes standard on all models, while a six-speed automatic is available. The Tucson is standardly equipped with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is available.

Unlike the previous models, your only choicea for the 2011 Tucson, when it comes to engine size, are relatively small four cylinders. Nonetheless, you won't be disappointed, because whatever the Tucson lacks in power and speed, it makes up by saving you loads of cash. The 2011 model, according to Hyundai, gives the same horsepower and torque the old V6 managed to push out, albeit with a whopping 20% better fuel economy than the previous generation's Inline-4. So if you are an old Tucson owner, and the new model matches the most fuel efficient older one while powering you a modest 166 hp, what are you waiting for?

Interior Features

The slick contours and pleasing aesthetics of previous versions of the Hyundai Tucson are still in abundance in the 2011 model. Optional features like the Panoramic moon roof and CleanAir ionizer further enhance the comfort and tastefulness of this crossover. Simple controls guarantee that drivers aren't distracted, while options heated front seats add a healthy dose of luxury to the driving experience. The backseat of the 2011 Hyundai Tucson is remarkably comfortable. Unlike similar vehicles, however, those seats don't recline or slide forward and backward; it should be noted that cargo space is limited, too.

As mentioned above, the 2011 Hyundai Tucson is no slacker in the field of style; and as such, its interior features are assuredly there. Cup holders at every seat, remote keyless entry, and a standard alarm system will keep you and your family safe. Optional features range from a beautiful in-dash 6.5 inch LCD to a handy voice-controlled navigation system. The dramatic styling leaves one thinking they purchased a European BMW with the reliability and reputation of a South Korean build.

Pros

As for pros of purchasing the Tucson, you will receive a reliable, fuel efficient, beautiful Korean vehicle at a generous $20,000 to $23,000 MSRP while leaving no essentials behind. The streamlined, futuristic design is classy yet intelligent, fuel efficient yet fun to drive, and truly the dream car of any teenager with tons of friends or modern-day family. The more than standard safety features, such as side airbags that deploy upon detection of a rollover, will keep the driver safer than most in case of any problems. The All Wheel Drive option can also take this seemingly suburban car onto the rough patches of road you wouldn't dream of taking other, less qualified, SUVs in.

Cons

Cons for the 2011 Tucson are relatively tiny when compared to the big picture, but still present. Many of the luxurious features one expects in a crossover are forgone in favor of practical futurism. While this isn't much to complain about, the small cabin size is something fairly large people might find bothersome. Tiny spaces aren't the funnest places to spend hours sitting as a passenger, but the robust tools such as bottle holders and sunroof make things bearable. Forgoing this beauty based on these comparatively frivolous design quirks is ridiculous, as any soccer mom or forward-thinking dad would love the 2011 Hyundai Tucson.