Hyundai Tucson: A Surprisingly Exceptional Small SUV for Under 20k

I was extremely excited this weekend when I got a chance to take a brand new Hyundai Tucson around some curvy country roads in Kentucky. The pint sized SUV promised to handle more like a Camaro, and less like a Hummer. The Hyundai Tucson is much better looking than it's closest competitors. The Tucson's good looks coupled with the quality of vehicle that Hyundai builds were the main reasons I chose to give it a shot. I have been driving my Elantra since 2004, and it has not suffered a major break down. My first choice was the Santa-Fe, but given the option of testing a smaller SUV I chose the Tucson which promises better gas mileage. Since the Tucson is rated for 31 mpg on the highway, it is perfect for the long commute to work I endure every morning.

Power / Performance
Even though the Tucson is powered by an in-line 4 cylinder, it has a surprising amount of power. Delivering 176 horsepower at 6000rpm, the GLS version I tested was fast enough to feel safe passing cars on a 2 lane road. You won't be breaking records on a quarter mile, but who would want to with gas nearing 4$ a gallon? The new breaks also seemed to be adequate, but I didn't want to push a brand new vehicle too hard even if the car salesman was smiling.

The handling was responsive enough, and I believe that Hyundai has improved the suspension on their vehicles in the last few years. Taking curves near the Tucson's breaking limit felt like there was little room to accelerate before I would lose all control. At no point did I feel like I was about to overturn.

Safety Features
The Hyundai Tucson has both Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control. These 2 components work together to prevent skids and maintain control, especially in difficult conditions. Research has shown that SUVs with ESC equipped are in 67% fewer crashes, and have 80% fewer rollovers. 6 airbags are standard including side curtain airbags. The Occupant Classification System will adjust the force of deployment for the front passenger airbag, which reduces risk of injury to shorter passengers. Also standard are Hillstart Assist and Downhill Brake Control.

Comfort/ Style
While the interior feels like a pricier model, the weakest links are no doubt small plastic parts such as the door handles. I drive a Hyundai Elantra with 150,000 miles on it at the moment, and all oriental auto makers have problems with the engines out lasting the components on the chassis. One of the original selling points when I purchased the Elantra was that the interior reminded me of a Jaguar. Broken door handles and key fobs are a small price you have to pay when you want to be driving your Hyundai 15 years from now.

The interior is roomy enough to sit 4 adults comfortably, and the cargo area in the back is comparable to other small SUVs like the ford Expedition. You will sacrifice the ability to haul excessive loads of groceries or large furniture with a smaller SUV like this, but I believe that most people who want an SUV do so for passenger comfort, and preference.

If you do decide to buy a Hyundai Tucson, I would recommend the base GL model, or the Limited Edition if you must have all the features. The GLS model I tested was a full $3,000 more than the base model, and only offered 10 extra horsepower. Since I prefer a manual transmission which is only available on the GL, the savings on fuel is worth more to me than 10 measly horsepower. Most people lose that much because they do not maintain their vehicles correctly. If you are looking for a small SUV that will give you a higher point of view, one to haul 3 kids to soccer practice, or just a car that sells for $19,000 and looks like $60,000, the Hyundai Tucson is worth a look. The Tucson starts at $18,895, and the GLS version I test drove is $21,995.

Hyundai USA