2010 Hyundai Tucson

The new 2010 Tucson was launched by local Hyundai distributor Hyundai de Puerto Rico in March, joining the world’s fourth largest automaker’s rapidly evolving lineup that now includes 10 models—the Genesis sedan and coupe, Brío, Elantra, Santa Fé and Veracruz sport utility vehicles (SUVs), Azera and Sonata sedans, Elantra Touring and the second-generation Tucson.

The sleek 2010 Tucson crossover utility vehicle (CUV), with its athletic European design, strikes a stark contrast from its predecessor and improves in every functional area, from its roomier cabin with extra cargo space to its leap in fuel economy and technology.

The Tucson features the company’s “fluidic sculpture” design language and is the first vehicle in Hyundai’s 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative (seven all-new models by the end of 2011).

The all-new Tucson is the first Hyundai CUV designed and engineered in Europe, taking shape at the company’s design and technical centers in Frankfurt, Germany. It features precedent setting engineering including advanced weight saving technology and the eco-efficient Theta II 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering up to 31 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway.

True to Hyundai form, the Tucson applies lifesaving safety technologies as standard equipment while offering downhill brake control (DBC) and hill start assist control (HAC) for the first time.

World-class weight efficiency was one of the program targets for the Tucson engineering team. In fact, the 2010 Tucson leads all of its competitors in weight efficiency. Hyundai engineers also targeted leadership in power-to-weight ratio. These targets paid huge dividends in both performance and fuel economy.

At 3,203 pounds with an automatic transmission, the Tucson is lighter than its competitors, while offering more interior room than the Nissan Rogue and Ford Escape, with body bending rigidity 38% higher than the Rogue. The Tucson owes its 31 mpg estimated highway rating to its weight-efficient unibody architecture and lowrolling resistance silica tires.

The Tucson was engineered to be more fuel efficient than its predecessor and chief competitors despite being 3.3 inches longer and one inch wider than its predecessor and having a longer wheelbase than the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Subaru Forester.

ALL-NEW ENGINE

The new Tucson features the Theta II 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine, which delivers about the same amount of power and acceleration as its predecessor’s V6 engine but with 20% better fuel economy than the old four-cylinder engine.

In fact, the Tucson is more fuel-efficient than the CRV, Rogue, Escape and Toyota RAV4 four-cylinder engines, boasting an impressive estimated 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway fuel-economy rating with the available six-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic and front-wheel drive.

The Theta II is rated at 176 horsepower (26% more than its predecessor) and 168 foot-pounds of torque. This high-tech, all-aluminum, 16-valve engine features continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) on both camshafts and a variable induction system (VIS) for better engine breathing.

To help Tucson drivers get the most out of their vehicles, Hyundai added a standard trip computer and economy indicator. The trip computer provides distance to empty, average fuel consumption, average vehicle speed, elapsed time and instant fuel economy. The “Eco Indicator” on automatic transmission models, nestled between the speedometer and tachometer, displays a green LED light in accordance with fuel efficient driving behavior.

Fuel savings in the range of 15% to 17% are attainable with the automatic Eco Indicator.

TWO TRANSMISSIONS AVAILABLE

Hyundai’s commitment to making the Tucson fuel efficient continues with a six-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual control or a standard six-speed manual transaxle.

The all-new six-speed automatic transaxle helps the company meet its goals of improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Shifts are silky-smooth with an option of manual control through the Shiftronic feature.

Designed for transverse engine applications in passenger cars and SUVs, the new compact transmission puts Hyundai into an elite class of automakers who have designed their own proprietary six-speed automatic transmissions. The strength of the design is its unique layout which makes it smaller, more compact and lighter than any other six-speed on the market.

Developed over a four-year period, the new six-speed automatic delivers a performance edge, as it helps deliver a 24% gain in highway fuel economy (31 mpg versus 25 mpg in the previous model).

There is no dipstick in the gearbox because it is filled with automatic transmission fluid that is good for the life of the vehicle under normal usage conditions, thereby reducing maintenance costs.

THOUGHTFUL INTERIOR

Inside, the five-seat Tucson offers a commanding view of the road and evokes an adventurous ambience that is also laid-back and relaxing.

Shapely seats feature center panels trimmed in breathable fabric with attractive and functional cushion side bolsters, plus additional lateral support for occupants’ shoulders. On the insert of the cloth seats, a hexagonal pattern stitched into the fabric matches the new front grille design.

The long wheelbase and generous width of the Tucson, combined with Hyundai’s expertise in interior packaging, have produced an interior that delivers class-leading rear legroom and improved headroom. These improvements were accomplished while lowering the overall height of the vehicle. The Tucson now has more passenger volume than the Rogue and Escape at 101.9 cubic feet. Tucson’s cargo capacity is 13% greater than its predecessor. In fact, Tucson has more interior volume than the Acura RDX, and more cargo volume than Infiniti FX.

The high-tech cockpit comes standard with Hyundai’s signature blue lighting, power windows, power door locks, fold-away mirrors and remote keyless entry with alarm and panic button. Bluetooth hands-free phone system with voice recognition and steering wheel audio and cruise controls are also available.

Other available features include leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, power driver’s seat with lumbar support, automatic headlights, side repeater exterior mirrors, front wiper de-icer and dual front automatic temperature control.

Audiophiles will love Tucson’s 160-watt AM/ FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers. The system is XM Satellite Radio capable and includes iPod/USB auxiliary inputs as standard equipment.

With its handsome cabin, ample features list, sporty handling and low price, the 2010 Hyundai Tucson is definitely a top pick in the small CUV segment.