As the Dalai Lama once said, “Own what makes you awesome and don’t be afraid to flaunt it.”
Maybe it wasn’t the Dalai Lama. I might have seen it recently on the label of a bottle of Naked Grape malbec.
But anyway, the Hyundai Tucson owns awesome exterior design and flaunts it. In the ever-expanding compact crossover market, Tucson is a visual standout whose looks alone can swing buyers in its favor.
The Tucson comes in GLS, SE, and Limited trim levels, with front-wheel or all-wheel drive available on each one. Two different four-cylinder engines are offered. The GLS 2.0-liter engine generates 164 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, while SE and Limited models with their 2.4-liter have 182 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission with manual shift ability is standard on all three versions.
EPA fuel economy ratings for the 2.0-liter are 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway with FWD, and 21/25 mpg with AWD. The 2.4-liter gets 21/28 mpg with FWD and 20/25 with AWD.
A Blue Link telematics system and Bluetooth are standard across the board, as is a 160-watt Autonet audio system with satellite radio. An optional 360-watt system is available, but on Limited models only.
Standard features on the base GLS trim level include a tilt and telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, heater ducts for the rear seats, remote keyless entry, cruise control, three 12-volt outlets, external temperature display, a manual six-way adjustable driver’s seat, and a 60/40 split rear seat.
Spring for the Tucson I tested, the top-of-the-line Limited AWD, and your standard equipment list is garnished with such features as proximity key entry with push-button start, a power driver’s seat with lumbar support, power heated side mirrors, automatic headlight control with fog lights, dual zone automatic temperature control, a retractable cargo cover, and a modest 4.3-inch audio display touchscreen. Many of these features are also standard on the midrange SE model.
An optional navigation system, available only on the Limited model, includes a multifunction 7-inch touchscreen.
True to form for any solid-quality compact crossover, the Tucson can handle a long series of tight turns at lively speeds without oscillating, and maintains an unobtrusive noise level in the passenger cabin on freeways.
The 2.4-liter engine and transmission seem to have a very healthy marriage. If one or both of them has had it up to here with the other, they certainly kept it secret from me during the test week.
In a break with tradition, my Tucson tester’s rear seat environment looked almost as inviting as the driver’s seat. With low seats and smallish tinted windows with high sills, a lair is created. Passengers can see out, yet are nearly invisible to passersby. Headroom is enormous, and although you might be a pariah for reclining your seatback on a commercial plane flight, feel free to take advantage of Tucson’s reclining rear seatbacks without risking reprisal.
Though the Tucson is basically a carryover for model year 2015, its pricing begins at $21,500, and a Popular Equipment package is available on the GLS model. The $750 package adds a rearview camera, the 4.3-inch touchscreen, an eight-way power driver seat with lumbar support, leatherette seat bolsters with cloth insets, and automatic headlight control. Also, LED taillights are standard on the Tucson Limited.
2014 HYUNDAI TUCSON LIMITED AWD
Base price, including destination charge: $28,575
Price as driven: $28,700
Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who has been reviewing cars for more than 20 years. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a board member of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturers as a one-week loan for review purposes only. In no way do the manufacturers control the content of the reviews.
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