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Review: 2010 Hyundai Tucson GLS is a stylish all-rounder without sacrifice

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Crossover, Hyundai, New Car Reviews

2010 Hyundai Tucson - Click above for high-res image gallery

Like it or not, the small crossover segment is booming. Not only are budget-minded automakers all putting forth their best efforts to create new-and-improved vehicles for the class, even higher-end manufacturers like Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are getting into the act hoping to win over customers looking for a more premium experience. Why? These vehicles offer an excellent coupling of both utility and economy - two of the most important must-haves for the vast majority of new car shoppers.

We recently invited the latest small CUV offering from Hyundai, the 2010 Tucson, into the Autoblog Garage for a week, and found it to be a stylish, useful workhorse for everyday tasks that doesn't sacrifice too much in the way of driving enjoyment. What's more, with a sticker starting at $19,995, it's quite a bargain. But just because the Tucson carries a wallet-friendly price doesn't mean it lacks refinement or quality. Hit the jump to find out why.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Hyundai Tucson

Continue reading Review: 2010 Hyundai Tucson GLS is a stylish all-rounder without sacrifice

Review: 2010 Hyundai Tucson GLS is a stylish all-rounder without sacrifice originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai reportedly increasing Tucson production to meet surging demand

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Hyundai, South Korea

2010 Hyundai Tucson - Click above for high-res image gallery

Every automaker was expecting, or at least really hoping for, a dramatic rise in sales at the beginning of this year. Something in the lower double digits would have been an excellent start, a nice way to bring in the new year. Hyundai is one of those for which such dreams came true - the Korean automaker's dealers posted a 128-percent increase in sales in January.

Among the popular vehicles in the showroom blitz was the 2010 Tucson, leading Hyundai to boost production to meet demand. It's a great problem to have, especially after selling just 15,000 of the previous model last year. Hyundai America's CEO said the company foresees a "huge boost" this year. Part of that can be attributed to the troubles faced by a certain Japanese automaker, while another chunk of that gain is simply down to the fact that Hyundai is making some very good machinery.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Hyundai Tucson

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Hyundai reportedly increasing Tucson production to meet surging demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2010 Hyundai Tucson a green machine with few compromises

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Hyundai, First Drives

2010 Hyundai Tucson - Click above for high-res image gallery

Little more than ten years ago, the meat and potatoes of the automotive universe were C and D segment sedans. Think Corolla and Camry; Focus, Fusion and (old) Taurus; Civic and Accord. But then, for better or for worse, something significant shifted in that old sales paradigm. Specifically, crossovers. Also known as CUVs, the overgrown wagons still ride around on C and D platforms, only a foot higher off the ground. Why? Blame the SUV craze and/or what automakers refer to as the "command seating position," an odd euphemism for sitting up high.

A momentary flirtation with $4 per gallon gasoline has - for the most part - shut down the large SUV game. But for whatever reason, consumers still want and demand command seating, so much so that Hyundai believes the compact CUV segment will experience more growth than any other niche in the market. Hyundai knows this specialized segment well, as the outgoing Tucson - the Korean brand's previous generation small CUV - has sold more than one million copies. However, the Tucson has been around since 2005, and to put it nicely, the old Tucson wasn't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer. And this is a gun fight. Knowing that, Hyundai has just rolled out its newest car, the 2010 Tucson. But is it a killer?

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Hyundai Tucson

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Hyundai Tucson a green machine with few compromises

First Drive: 2010 Hyundai Tucson a green machine with few compromises originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai prices 2010 Tucson crossover from $18,995*

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Hyundai

2010 Hyundai Tucson - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai began the first wave of media drives for the new 2010 Tucson today in California after unveiling its latest crossover at last week's LA Auto Show. As part of the presentation before heading out, product planning chief Scott Margason announced that the completely redesigned model will have a starting tariff of $18,995 when they start rolling into showrooms in the coming days.

At launch, the Tucson will only available with the 2.4-liter Theta II four-cylinder, although a 2.0-liter four will join the lineup later in the year. The bigger four will be available with either manual or automatic transmission choices, both with of them six-speed units.

The base price gets you a GLS model with three pedals and front wheel-drive. All wheel-drive is optional, but not much else is. Hyundai has packaged everything into two trim levels, the base GLS and the upscale Limited plus an available premium package that includes a navigation system, sunroof, and other niceties for $2,850. A maxed-out all-wheel drive, automatic Limited with the premium pack will run $28,695 (*plus $795 in freight charges). Including the transmission and drive options, there are only ten buildable Tucson equipment combinations for 2010, not including color choices and dealer-installed accessories. The first batches of 2010 Tucsons are on the way to dealers now, but if you can't wait, you can check out the softroader in our high-res gallery below and the official press release with pricing breakdown after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Hyundai Tucson

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai prices 2010 Tucson crossover from $18,995*

Hyundai prices 2010 Tucson crossover from $18,995* originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2009: Bye-bye boxy, hello 2010 Hyundai Tucson

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:19:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossover, Hyundai

2010 Hyundai Tucson - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai just took the wraps off their all new 2010 Tucson CUV. A right-sized (i.e. compact) crossover designed in Frankfurt, Germany - as opposed to the California designed Sonata we saw yesterday - but still uses Hyundai's new design language, the oddly named Fluidic Sculpture. Like the Sonata, the new bigger-yet-lighter Tuscon (61 pounds, to be precise) has been designed to convey a sense of motion. Of course, whether they succeeded or not is up to the beholder's eye.

Hyundai feels that the compact CUV market is growing (as does the rest of the industry), however the small crossover buyer is changing. Used to be that when people shopped for say a Tucson, it was because they couldn't afford an Excursion. No more. The new small CUV buyer expects a higher level of comfort and refinement from their little truck-like rides. If what Hyundai's peddling proves true, the Tucson's impressive list of standard bells and/or whistles fits this projected market to a tee (see the press release for the full lowdown).

The most impressive Tuscon attribute is in likelihood its frugal MPG rating. 23 miles per gallon in the city, 31 at highway speeds. In addition to the slight weight reduction, the Tucson achieves these numbers via innovations such as a switch away from parasitic hydraulic power-steering in favor of an electric system. There's also an all new six-speed automatic that uses 62 fewer parts than the outgoing five-speed. Interestingly, the new slusher is built fully in house by Hyundai.

The engine of course contributes to the good-for-a-CUV mileage. The new Tucson comes with a 2.4-liter Theta II four-cylinder that produces 176 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. You will notice that the Tucson does not come with the more powerful Gasoline Direct-Injection (GDI) Theta II that ships with the new Sonata. We asked Hyundai if a future iteration of the Tucson (say the 2011) would in fact receive the GDI motor. "That's a logical conclusion."

We also asked if the turbocharged GDI motor would make it into the Tuscon. "It would fit." We then asked if we'll see a hybrid version as the new Sonata will eventually show up in gas-electric guise. "No comment." Then after a pause, "We all have to get to 35.5 mpg." Finally, we asked if we'd see an all-electric version of the Tucson. We received another "No comment," but Hyundai North America President and CEO John Krafcik did state that they will be selling an electric car in the States. As to when, "Not next year." Read the press release, after the jump.

Gallery: LA 2009: 2010 Hyundai Tucson

Gallery: 2010 Hyundai Tucson

Continue reading LA 2009: Bye-bye boxy, hello 2010 Hyundai Tucson

LA 2009: Bye-bye boxy, hello 2010 Hyundai Tucson originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Hyundai Tucson makes the drive to America

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossover, Hyundai

2010 Hyundai Tucson - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai's second big unveiling for the LA Auto Show is its next-generation Tucson, its compact crossover. Like the Sonata sedan, we've actually already seen the Tucson for some time now, as it previously debuted South Korea and Europe badged as the ix35 or Tucson ix. We actually first saw this shape as the ix-onic concept at Geneva last March and the production model is only mildly toned down.

Even toned down, though, this is a major departure from the outgoing Tucson. Like the Sonata, that model was a competent but utterly invisible CUV. The new Tucson was created by Hyundai's Frankfurt-based European design studio and features the same "Fluidic Sculpture" surface language used on the Sonata. Like the sedan, the look is attractive, if not entirely original, as the form seems to draw quite a bit inspiration from the Nissan Murano, especially in the rear. Either way, with its bulging fenders and a multitude of curves and creases, the new style is likely to draw a lot more second glances than its predecessor. Wherever the ideas came from, the Tucson appears to be well-executed overall. Follow the jump to learn more Hyundai's latest CUV.

Gallery: 2010 Hyundai Tucson

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading 2010 Hyundai Tucson makes the drive to America

2010 Hyundai Tucson makes the drive to America originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Camo-free 2010 Hyundai Tucson on U.S. soil!

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:07:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Hyundai

2010 Hyundai Tucson - click above for high-res image gallery

Just last week, Hyundai revealed the new ix35 compact crossover in its home market of South Korea. When it arrives at U.S. dealers late this year, it will retain the Tucson nameplate used on the current-generation model. This week, we stumbled across what looks to be a production-ready Tucson here in Michigan, completely devoid of camouflage and missing only its badges.

As we saw in the photos from Korea, the new Tucson is very similar to Hyundai's ix-onic concept shown in Geneva last March. The biggest exterior differences are the front foglights, the rear taillamps and the CUV's lower fascia. From what we were able to see of the interior, the design of the concept is also carried over verbatim.

We expect for the Tucson to make its official U.S. debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show this November.

Gallery: 2010 Hyundai Tucson undisguised

Spy Shots: Camo-free 2010 Hyundai Tucson on U.S. soil! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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