We’re just over halfway
through the calendar year, and at Kelley Blue Book we’re tracking new vehicle
sales up 4.4 percent through June. That’s good news for most automakers, though
some are struggling to keep pace with the market’s growth. Hyundai, with sales up just 1.8
percent this year, is one of those brands. The automaker recently introduced
its all-new midsize sedan (Sonata), and it continues to offer a desirable
compact car (Elantra) and full-size car (Azera), along with its high value
luxury cars (Genesis and Equus). The problem? The market doesn’t care about
cars. It wants SUVs-SUVs-SUVs! And while Hyundai’s midsize Santa Fe crossover
is up 5.3 percent this year, its compact Tucson is down 7 percent.
That’s bad news given the compact SUV segment is one of the fastest growing, up
12.6 percent from January to June. In a perfect world Hyundai’s would launch an
all-new 2016 Tucson
to cash in on America’s insatiable SUV appetite. Oh wait, it just did…
Hitting showrooms this
month, the redesigned 2016 Hyundai
Tucson features a revised exterior, updated interior and all-new drivetrain. Hyundai’s consumer research
showed compact SUV buyers thought of the existing Tucson as a more sporty,
stylish and modern compact SUV compared to others in the segment, and the
automaker wanted to enhance those characteristics for the 2016 model. This is
reflected in the new Tucson’s
wedge-shaped exterior with alloy wheels, tinted windows and a standard 5-inch
touchscreen display with rearview camera. Options, including LED headlights,
19-inch wheels and a panoramic sunroof, extend the stylish and upscale nature
of the new Tucson,
as does its selection of standard and optional features that offer a lot of
value for the money.
First impression upon
entering the 2016 Hyundai Tucson
is that it feels larger inside than it looks from the outside. Leg, head and
shoulder room are abundant, confirming the Tucson’s status as the
widest of the compact SUVs while sporting the longest wheelbase in the segment.
The front seats offer a near-perfect blend of comfort and lateral support while
primary controls for the audio and climate systems are straightforward and easy
to use. Once underway you’ll be impressed by the Tucson’s quiet and refined
ride quality, something Hyundai
representatives told us was a specific focus for the new crossover. At highway
speeds there is essentially zero engine or road noise in the cabin, leaving
only hushed wind noise at a level you’ll barely notice.
The frame of the new Tucson consists of 51 percent
high-strength steel, up from 18 percent in the previous model and held together
with stronger adhesives versus the welds on the previous model. A revised
McPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension combines with
thicker wheelhouse panels, a sleeker exterior shape (.35 coefficient of drag
reduced to .33) and strengthened roof pillars to reduce noise and help manage
crash energy. The 2016 Tucson
comes in one of three interior color schemes and eight exterior shades, with
trim levels ranging from a base SE model to the mid-grade Eco and Sport models
as well as the high-end Limited version. It also comes with a choice of two
powertrains and standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.
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