var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.pubads().disableInitialLoad(); });
device = device.default;
//this function refreshes [adhesion] ad slot every 60 second and makes prebid bid on it every 60 seconds // Set timer to refresh slot every 60 seconds function setIntervalMobile() { if (!device.mobile()) return if (adhesion) setInterval(function(){ googletag.pubads().refresh([adhesion]); }, 60000); } if(device.desktop()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [728, 90], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } else if(device.tablet()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } else if(device.mobile()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } googletag.cmd.push(function() { // Enable lazy loading with... googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ // Fetch slots within 5 viewports. // fetchMarginPercent: 500, fetchMarginPercent: 100, // Render slots within 2 viewports. // renderMarginPercent: 200, renderMarginPercent: 100, // Double the above values on mobile, where viewports are smaller // and users tend to scroll faster. mobileScaling: 2.0 }); });
Download App | FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
 Upload Your Resume   Employers / Post Jobs 

Tucson is Hyundai's thrifty alternative to a midsize sedan

published September 26, 2005

Published By
( 17 votes, average: 3.9 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Smooth riding, quiet and fairly fuel efficient, this compact SUV is an alternative to a midsize sedan that could cost an additional $5,000, or more.

This is Hyundai's second SUV, a notch down from the Santa Fe, and it has a value pack of extras.


All Tucsons come with remote locking, air conditioning, power windows and locks, power heated mirrors, tinted glass, eight-way adjustable driver's seat, six-speaker audio with CD and even heated windshield wiper rests.

And it is a safety cocoon - with six air bags (including roof-mounted side curtain bags), four-wheel disc brakes and ABS with electronic brake force distribution and Electronic Stability Program with traction control.

Choose from three models with two engines and transmissions in two- or four-wheel drive with pricing that starts at $18,094. The top-line LX 4WD is $23,394.

The base front-wheel-drive GL comes with a 140 horsepower, 2-liter double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine with continuously variable valve timing. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual; upgrade to a four-speed Shiftronic automatic for $850 more. Fuel economy is 22 mpg city and 27 highway with the manual, 21/26 for 4WD, using 87 octane.

Four-wheel drive adds $1,500, and it's a slick, all-weather system. The electronic Borg Warner system - InterActive Torque Management - can route up to 99 percent of the available power to the front wheels or up to 50 percent to the rear wheels. The system monitors throttle position, front-wheel angle and wheel slips.

For those sending a grad off to college, this isn't a bad way to protect the investment.

Thrift never seemed more extravagant, but for those who want absolute power and leather-trimmed seats, there is the GLS and LX.

The GLS, today's tester, lists for $20,644 and adds the 173 horsepower V-6 and four-speed Shiftronic, fog lights, leather-trimmed and heated seats and an upgraded audio system with cassette and MP3. The only factory option is a power sunroof, $850.

Tucsons of all levels are loaded with good ideas and safe design elements. For example, there are hefty 16-inch BF Goodrich tires on attractive alloy wheels. Durable plastic moldings rim the lower body and wheel openings to fend off highway rash and road salt.

Inside, there are helpful touches in the purse or bag hook in the passenger foot area, an adjustable front armrest, visors with extenders, an overhead console with sunglass storage and map lights, and back-seat coat hooks and grab handles, so you don't have to hang dry cleaning from an assist grip.

The front passenger seat back fully reclines or it can be folded forward as a work space for the driver or to open up space to load long tools or toys. And there's even an exterior passenger door lock port - an item that has been phased out of many cars to save money.

There was also plenty of budget for the cargo area. The tailgate has flip-up glass so you don't always have to heft the full door. Inside, there is a light, 12-volt plug-in, cargo cover, underfloor storage and tie downs, and the rear mat is removable to hose out the plastic floor.

What's not to like? The suspension is set for comfy not zoomy, so it might disappoint those drivers who like to push hard through the corners. (But the tidy 35.4-foot turning circle makes it very nimble in tight spots.) And the back seat area is small for a growing family, but there's always the Santa Fe for anyone in that position.

For Tucson, it's the attention to detail, how well it's put together and how much it gives along every mile of driving that makes it seem like a smart buy.

HEMI.COM NEW AND IMPROVED

Chrysler has revved up its Hemi.com Web site (www.Hemi.com) with new stories and photos, more in-depth history and specifications, and new multimedia features, including Hemi sounds.

The new Hemi engine story is continued and expanded to include the 6.1 liter version.

New galleries show 1950s Hemi cars, 426 Hemi-powered vehicles and racing cars and boats of all kinds.

There are more vintage ads in the Web site and twice as many rare-image wallpapers are available for download.

SPECS BOX

2005 Hyundai Tucson GLS
Body style: Unibody, compact 5-passenger SUV
Drive system: Front- or 4-wheel drive
Engine: Aluminum, 2.7 liter V-6 with DOHC and 24 valves
Horsepower: 173 at 6,000 rpm
Torque: 178 foot-pounds at 4,000 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed Shiftronic automatic
EPA fuel economy estimates: 19 mpg city, 24 highway; 87 octane

DIMENSIONS
Cargo space: 22.7 cubic feet; 65.5, rear seat folded
Front head/leg/shoulder room: 40.3/42.1/56.6 inches
Rear head/leg/shoulder room: 38.8/37.2/56.3 inches
Length: 170.3 inches
Wheelbase: 103.5 inches
Towing capacity: 2,000 pounds, without trailer brake
Curb weight: 3,370 pounds (3,458, 4WD)

FEATURES
Standard equipment: Remote locking, air conditioning, power windows-locks-mirrors (heated), heated windshield wiper rests, tinted glass, roof rack side rails, rear intermittent wiper, 6-speaker AM-FM-CD audio, lighted and locking glove box, visor vanity mirrors, map lights in overhead console, cruise control, remote fuel and hood releases, 8-way adjustable driver's seat, center console with dual level covered storage, seat-back pockets, rear coat hooks and grab handles, rear center armrest with cup holders, underfloor cargo storage
Safety equipment: Front advanced air bags, front seat-mounted side-impact air bags, roof-mounted side curtain air bags, 3-point belts at all seats, front pretensioning belts with height adjustment

CHASSIS
Brakes: Power-assisted 4-wheel discs with ABS and 4-wheel, 4-channel Electronic Stability Program with traction control
Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion; turning circle, 35.4 feet
Suspension: 4-wheel independent with front MacPherson struts, rear multilink and coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers and stabilizer bars

PRICING
Base: $20,644, including $595 destination charge; a $500 cash rebate is in effect through July 5.
Options on test car: None
Warranty: Bumper-to-Bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles; powertrain, 10 years/100,000 miles; corrosion, 5 years/60,000 miles; roadside assistance, 5 years/unlimited miles
The competition: Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Jeep Liberty, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox.
Where assembled: South Korea

PLUSES: Plenty of everything with a one-price-fits-all strategy.

MINUSES: 2.5-mph bumpers. With all the other safety equipment, why not go car-class with 5-mph bumpers and trump more competition?

Mark Maynard is driving in cyberspace at mark.maynard@uniontrib.com

published September 26, 2005

( 17 votes, average: 3.9 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.