Hyundai Tucson

First generation (2004–2009)

The first generation Tucson was launched in 2004. It shares its Elantra-based platform with the redesigned 2005 Kia Sportage.

Engines

Later 2.0 CRDi models include variable geometry turbocharger.

Transmissions

In the U.S., the 2.0 model, automatic is standard in Limited trim.

Handling

Four-wheel drive models of the Tucson include a Borg-Warner torque controller system.

Equipment

In the U.S., the Tucson is offered in base GLS, mid-line SE, and top-tier Limited (formerly LX) trim levels for 2007 models. Earlier 2005 and 2006 models were offered as GL/GLS/Limited. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, cruise control, six airbags, electronic stability control, a CD player, alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and premium cloth seats. The SE adds to the roster with contrasting gray body cladding, a different alloy design, an AM/FM/Cassette/CD as well as fog lights and a front windshield wiper de-icing grid. The Limited adds leather seating surfaces, a 6-disc in dash CD changer, body-colored cladding, automatic climate control, and heated seats. The SE and Limited are only available with the 2.7 L V6. The GLS comes only with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder.

The Tucson offers modest cargo space but its easy-to-fold seats can expand this volume so they lie flat. Even the front passenger seat folds flat for extra-long cargo.

Safety

There are dual-stage frontal impact airbags, torso side-impact airbags built into the front seats, and curtain airbags for side-impact protection for front and rear passengers.

2009 Hyundai Tucson by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

2006

Changes for 2006 were minimal. The LX became the Limited and got colour-coded cladding, automatic climate control, and a high-performance sound system. The GLS retained the gray cladding but 'HYUNDAI' is no longer branded into the cladding on the front doors. The GLS also got improved cloth seats with the option of a heating element. Both GLS and Limited got redesigned alloy wheels. The base GL remained unchanged.

2007

Changes for 2007 were also minimal. The GL and GLS trims were renamed to GLS and SE, respectively, to match the standard for all new Hyundai vehicles.

2009

2009 Tucsons see minor restyling and trim changes.

Tucson FCEV (2005)

The Tucson Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) is a test fuel cell vehicle for Hyundai's 2nd generation hydrogen fuel cell. The vehicle includes an 80 kW electric motor by Enova Systems of Torrance, California, UTC Fuel Cells by South Windsor, Connecticut, 152V battery co-developed by Hyundai Motor Co. and LG Chem in Seoul, Korea, 152 litres (33 imp gal; 40 US gal) hydrogen storage tanks developed by Dynetek Industries of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The vehicle has range of 300 kilometres (186.4 mi) and top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph).

The vehicle was unveiled in 2005 at the Los Angeles Auto Show and completed a 4,300-mile (6,900 km) journey as part of the Hydrogen Road Tour in 2008.

CRTD Xenith (2007–2009)

It is a version of the 2.0 CRDi 6-speed manual 4WD for UK market. It included following:

The vehicle has MSRP of £20,670.

25th Anniversary Edition (2009)

It is a version of the 2009 Tucson 2.0 GLS FWD model with premium Kenwood stereo system, a Garmin in-dash GPS system, a 2-way power sunroof, body colour door handles and mirrors.

The options cost $1,000.

International markets

In Japan, it was sold as Hyundai JM. Sold in Europe, but not EuroNCAP tested.

Receptions

The Hyundai Tucson received accolades from Canadian Car of the Year Best New Crossover award for 2005.

The Tucson was named as one of the most reliable vehicles from the 2009 Consumer Reports reliability survey.

Second generation (2009–2015)

In most markets outside South Korea and North America, the Hyundai Tucson name (also known as the 'Hyundai Tucson ix' in Korea) was retired in favour of Hyundai ix35. Vehicles sold in the USA continued to be called Tucson. The ix35 was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The power output, fuel-efficiency, comfort and safety features have been all upgraded. Known by the project name LM, it took 36 months and 280 billion won (approx. US$225 million) to develop.

Design

The ix35's styling was reported to be based on Hyundai ix-onic concept. The ix35 was penned by Hyundai designer Cha Il-Hoei in 2007, under the guidance of former BMW designer Thomas Buerkle at Hyundai's Russelsheim design studio in Germany and continues the company's styling language, marketed as "fluidic sculpture". The compact crossover vehicle has sweeping coupe-like lines, a premium vehicle feel and comes with features unavailable on its predecessor.

Engines

The Tucson/ix35 is available with several engines: an all-new 2-litre diesel R engine, one of two Theta-II gasoline engine variants (2.0L or 2.4L), 1.7L UII diesel and 1.6L Gamma GDI gasoline. The later two only in Europe. The automatic transmission is Hyundai’s all-new six-speed design. The manual transmissions available in Europe is a 6-speed for 1.7 and 2.0 diesels and 1.6 Gamma and a 5-speed for 2.0 Theta. The 2-litre diesel engine, available outside of North America, meets the Euro-5 emissions standards and achieves 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers fuel economy with maximum power output of 184 horsepower. The 2.0L gasoline engine has a fuel economy of 8.5 liters per 100 km with 166 horsepower. In South Korea, the diesel engine is offered in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel drive configurations, while the 2.0L gasoline engine is available only in front-wheel-drive. The North American versions are powered by either the 2.0L producing 165 horsepower or a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 176 horsepower mated to the six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.4L engine makes almost the same power as the previous generation V6 engine while managing 20% better fuel economy than the previous generation four-cylinder.

The Tucson/ix35 sold in the U.S. came in three trims: GL, GLS and Limited, with All-Wheel Drive available for GLS and Limited trims. The GL comes with a standard manual transmission, but a 6-speed automatic transmission is available and is standard on GLS and Limited. Features include available steering wheel-mounted audio controls, hands-free Bluetooth phone connectivity, navigation system, and a standard iPod interface system including iPod cable. An array of advanced safety equipment is standard, including Hillstart Assist Control and Downhill Brake Control. A Proximity Key and Push Button Start system is available in the Korean market but not the North American. The North American version uses a different gauge cluster design than the Korean version.

2014 model Tucson for North America have been upgraded with GDI direct injected theta-II engines that obtain more power and better emissions, LED tail/head lights, more stylish alloy rim designs, and a few minor improvements to the interior/audio system.

2011

The 2011 Tucson offered in the U.S. a new GL trim which replaces the 2010 GLS model as Tucson's base trim. The GL is powered by a new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to either a five-speed manual or an available six-speed automatic transmission in order to obtain better fuel economy than the 2.4-liter engine. The 2011 GLS trim includes the features of the 2010 "Popular Equipment Package" and an automatic transmission as standard equipment. Limited models now include standard electrochromatic mirrors with Homelink and has received Sachs dampeners to provide a smoother ride. The electronic stability control and motor driven power steering systems have been enhanced for improved performance. All AWD models now receive standard heated seats. This model was a prominent vehicle used by the survivors in The Walking Dead (TV series).

Equipment

Some of the notable features of Tucson are as follows:

Safety

The second-generation Hyundai Tucson earned 'Top Safety Pick' award from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the USA

Third generation (2015–present)

On February 17, 2015, Hyundai released the first details about its next-generation Tucson ahead of the crossover's official debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 3, 2015. This model arrived in showrooms in the second half of 2015, as a 2016 model year, and for the first time will use the Tucson name in all markets where it is sold.

During the Geneva show Hyundai also unveiled two concept variants, a Tucson hybrid electric and a diesel-powered plug-in hybrid. The 48V Hybrid combines a 2.0-liter diesel model with 134 hp (100 kW) and a six-speed manual transmission along with a 14 hp (10 kW) electric motor; combined system performance is 148 hp (110 kW) and 413 N·m (305 lb-ft) of torque. This boosts system power by 10% while emitting only 109 g/km CO₂. The concept plug-in-hybrid is also based on the all-new Tucson platform, is equipped with a 1.7-liter diesel engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The engine generates 113 hp (85 kW) and is accompanied by a 67 hp (50 kW) electric motor and a 10.7 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, which delivers an all-electric range of more than 50 km (31 mi). Combined system output is a maximum of 180 hp (135 kW) with 474 N·m (350 lb-ft) of torque, with estimated CO₂ emissions of less than 48 g/km.

Trim levels

As per Hyundai's website, the U.S.-spec Hyundai Tucson is available in the following trim levels, each offering a plentiful array of standard equipment:

The SE serves as the base trim level of the Tucson, replacing the previously available GLS trim level, which is being discontinued and replaced by the SE trim level on all new Hyundai models. Standard equipment includes a 2.0L Gasoline Direct-Injection (GDi) Inline Four-Cylinder (I4) engine, a6-Speed Shift-Tronic Automatic transmission, seventeen-inch (17") alloy wheels with P225/60HR17 tires, exterior-colored side-view mirrors and door handles, front solar-tinted and rear privacy glass, a five-inch (5") touch-screen audio system (an A/M-F/M radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a single-disc CD/MP3 player, a full-color touch-screen display, full voice command, and Bluetooth for phone and audio, as well as USB and iPod integration with 3.5-millimeter auxiliary audio input jack), a rearview backup camera, YES Essentials cloth seating surfaces, a 6-way manually adjustable driver's seat with height adjustment, a 3.5-inch (3.5") monochromatic center instrument cluster display screen, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and air conditioning. Pricing for the SE trim level begins at $22,700, without options.

The Eco serves as the "eco-friendly" trim level of the Tucson, and is a new trim level for the Tucson.. It adds these standard features to the base SE trim level: a 1.6L Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder (I4) engine, a 7-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT), premium front and rear fascias, a chrome dual-tipped exhaust system, dual side-view mirrors with integrated turn signals, LED daytime running lamps (DRL's), halogen front fog lamps, roof rack side rails, metallic-painted roof side rails, a power driver's seat with power lumbar support, a driver's automatic up/down power window, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, an illuminated glove compartment, and an Eco emblem on the tailgate. Pricing for the Eco trim level begins at $24,150, without options.

The Sport serves as thew "sporty" trim level of the Tucson, and is a new trim level for the Tucson.. It adds these features to the "eco-friendly" Eco trim level: nineteen-inch (19") Sport alloy wheels with P245/45HR19 tires, a "hands-free" proximity-sensing tailgate with automatic opening functionality, proximity key with push-button start, illuminated door handles (on later-built models), Blind-Spot Monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Change Assist (LCA), heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and transmission shift lever, and a Sport emblem on the tailgate. Pricing for the Sport trim level begins at $26,150, without options.

The Limited remains the top-of-the-line trim level for the Tucson.. It adds these features to the "sporty" Sport trim level: LED low-beam headlamps and tail lamps, a chrome grille and door handles, a "Shark-Fin" roof-mounted antenna, leather-trimmed seating surfaces, a power passenger's seat, an eight-inch (8") touch-screen audio system (an A/M-F/M radio with HD Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a single-disc CD/MP3 player, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a full color touch-screen display, full voice command, Bluetooth for phone and audio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, as well as USB and iPod integration with 3.5-millimeter auxiliary audio input jack, with GPS navigation), an 8-speaker premium audio system with external amplifier and subwoofer, a dual-zone automatic climate control system with CleanAir ionizer and automatic defogger, floor-mounted rear air and heat vents, premium door sill trim plates, premium interior surfaces (instrument panel, driver's console side panel, and door panels), the BlueLink telematics system, a HomeLink transmitter, an automatic-dimming rearview mirror with integrated compass, and a Limited emblem on the tailgate. The Limited trim level begins at $29,900.00, without options. This is significantly lower than some of its fully loaded competitors, like the Honda CR-V, and the Nissan Murano, both of which are priced in the low $30,000 range, when fully equipped.

Powertrain

The third-generation 2016 Hyundai Tucson is available with two engine choices in North America:

The Tucson offers two transmission options in North America:

Both engines and transmissions are available with either Front-Wheel-Drive (FWD), or All-Wheel-Drive (AWD).