Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson or Hyundai JM (Joyful Mover) in Japan, is a compact crossover SUV built and marketed by the Hyundai Motor Corporation. In Hyundai's lineup, the Tucson fits below the Santa Fe and Veracruz. The vehicles are named after the city of Tucson, Arizona. The first generation Tucson launched in 2004. It shares its Elantra-based platform with the redesigned 2005 Kia Sportage. The Tucson is in the same class as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape. In the United States, 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-litre 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. Even the front passenger seat folds flat for extra-long cargo.

2011 Hyundai Tucson Review - FLDetours

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.Changes for 2006 were minimal. The LX became the Limited and got color-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 remains unchanged.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 Tucsons see minor restyling and trim changes. Tucson Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) is a test vehicle for Hyundai's 2nd generation hydrogen fuel cell. The vehicle includes a 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 Ltd. 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 Los Angeles Auto Show. Tucson FCEV completed a 4,300-mile (6,900 km) journey as part of the Hydrogen Road Tour 2008. It is an Italian version of Tucson 2.0 capable of using both petrol and LPG fuels. The Tucson received accolades from Canadian Car of the Year Best New Crossover award for 2005. Hyundai Tucson named as one of the most reliable vehicles from 2009 Consumer Reports reliability survey.



In Europe, Hyundai ix35 (also called 'Hyundai Tucson ix') replaced Hyundai Tucson name. The ix35 was unveiled in 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. Saeki Yoshikazu, Toyota engineer, who is a chief engineer of Toyota RAV4 said, "I test drove Tucson ix. Even I think Tucson ix is a very good vehicle. It is a very stylish, too."[The ix35's styling was reported to be based on Hyundai ix-onic concept. The ix35 was penned by former BMW designer Thomas Buerkle at Hyundai's Russelsheim design studio in Germany and continues the company's stlyling language, marketed as "fluidic sculpture". The compact sports utility vehicle has sweeping coupe-like lines, a premium vehicle feel and comes with features unavailable on its predecessor.Tucson/ix35 is equipped with one of three engines: an all-new 2-litre diesel R engine or one of two Theta-II gasoline engine variants (2.0L or 2.4L). The automatic transmission is Hyundai’s all-new six-speed design. The diesel engine, available outside of North America, meets the Euro-5 emissions standards and achieves 15.4 kilometers per liter fuel economy with maximum power output of 184 horsepower. The 2.0L gasoline engine has a fuel economy of 11.7 kilometers per liter 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 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 second-generation Hyundai Tucson earned 'Top Safety Pick' award from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US.