The
2015 Hyundai Tucson isn't your
typical jack-of-all-trades compact crossover. Hyundai also has a larger
affordable crossover, the Santa Fe Sport, so the Tucson doesn't have to be
everything to everyone. Instead, the 2-row Tucson trades on its tidy
dimensions, which give it an unusually nimble, sporty feel. It's a crossover
for folks who aren't ready for a hulking family vehicle just yet.
Don't
get us wrong, the Tucson
still provides enough room for four full-sized passengers to ride in comfort.
And while cargo capacity is unimpressive by segment standards, there's a useful
amount of space when you fold down the rear seatbacks. Our only consistent
complaint concerns what's under the hood: The base 2.0-liter engine fails to
provide confident passing power, even with a recent overhaul that added direct
fuel injection. The 2.4-liter engine is the pick of the litter, though fuel
economy isn't stellar either way.
Overall,
the Tucson remains one of
the more pleasant crossovers at this price. It's up to date in most respects,
and its manageable size makes it an enticing alternative to larger rivals.
What's New for 2015?
The Tucson adds a
Popular Equipment package for the GLS model that includes a touchscreen
interface and a power driver's seat.
What We Like
Compact
dimensions; responsive handling; surprisingly roomy back seat; distinctive
styling; strong value
What We Don't
Middling
acceleration; so-so fuel economy; max cargo space is relatively limited
How Much?
$22,545-$27,345
Fuel Economy
The Tucson GLS
features a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 164 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of
torque. The SE and Limited get a 2.4-liter unit that's good for 182 hp and 177
lb-ft. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard on every 2015 Tucson, as is
front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is a $1,500 option.
Fuel
economy with front-wheel drive checks in at 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on
the highway for the 2.0-liter engine and 21 mpg city/28 mpg hwy for the
2.4-liter engine. With all-wheel drive, those numbers drop to 21 mpg city/25
mpg hwy and 20 mpg city/25 mpg hwy, respectively.
Standard Features & Options
The
2015 Hyundai Tucson is
offered in three trim levels: GLS, SE and Limited.
The GLS ($22,545) comes with the 2.0-liter
engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlight accents, a rear spoiler, cloth
upholstery, air conditioning, power accessories, a height-adjustable driver's
seat, reclining and split folding rear seatbacks, Bluetooth phone connectivity,
a tilt-telescopic steering wheel with auxiliary audio controls and a 6-speaker
sound system with iPod/USB integration and satellite radio.
The SE ($24,595) adds the 2.4-liter engine,
automatic headlights, fog lights, heated exterior mirrors, side-body cladding,
roof rails, a 4.3-in touchscreen, an 8-way power driver's seat, heated front
seats, cloth and leatherette upholstery, illuminated front vanity mirrors and
floor-mounted rear climate vents.
The Limited ($27,345) boasts 18-in wheels,
chrome exterior accents, keyless entry with push-button start, dual-zone
automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, Hyundai's Blue Link
telematics suite, a rearview camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift
knob, and a retractable cargo cover.
Limited
options include LED taillights, a panoramic sunroof, a 7-speaker premium sound
system, HD Radio and a revised navigation system with a 7-in touchscreen. The
GLS is eligible for a Popular Equipment package that adds the automatic
headlights, a rearview camera, a power driver's seat, cloth and leatherette
upholstery, and a 4.3-in touchscreen.
Safety
The
2015 Hyundai Tucson
comes with standard stability control, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, active
front head restraints and six airbags (front, front-side and full-length
side-curtain). Hyundai's Blue Link telematics, standard on the Limited,
provides enhanced emergency assistance, stolen vehicle recovery and much more.
In
government crash-testing, the Tucson
garnered four stars out of five overall, including four stars for front impacts
and five stars for side impacts. The independent Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety awarded the Tucson
its highest rating of Good in every category except the small-overlap front
test, where it earned a Poor rating.
Behind the Wheel
It's
refreshing to hop into a Tucson
and remember how fun a genuinely compact crossover can be. With its 103.9-in
wheelbase and 173.2-in overall length, the Tucson is actually smaller than the
compact Elantra sedan, so it's no wonder that this thing drives like a
hatchback on its tiptoes. The Tucson
does ride rather firmly, but we're not offended. Impact harshness rarely
registers, and the payoff is that this little crossover can actually dance in
the curves. Road noise can be an issue, however. There are definitely quieter
crossovers in this class.
Other Cars to Consider
2015 Kia Sportage -- Mechanically
similar to the Tucson, the Sportage boasts more angular styling and the
availability of an awesome turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder.
2016 Mazda CX-5 -- Mazda's new
compact crossover goes toe-to-toe with the Tucson across the board, and it's
even more fun to drive.
2015 Volkswagen Tiguan -- If you're
considering the Tucson Limited, know that the same money could get you into a
decently equipped Tiguan, and the VW is both faster and generally nicer.
Used Hyundai Santa Fe Sport -- The 1-size-up
Santa Fe Sport offers more space and turbocharged power, and Hyundai's
certified pre-owned program can get you into a low-mileage example for the
price of a new Tucson.
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