Though not as widely traveled as Phoenix, nor as naturally adorned as Sedona, the city of Tucson, Arizona weighs in as the 33rd largest state in the United States. It’s filled with history, architecture, and scenic vistas and has generated quite a reputation for being a leader in the innovational optoelectronics field. Much like its namesake, the Hyundai Tucson has generated much of the same buzz. Backed by the incredibly reputable name of its manufacturer, the Tucson is much like the city in one respect, it may not be the biggest of the Hyundai lineup, but it’s still pretty awesome.
Produced in its first generation from 2005-2009, the Tucson entered the market to do direct competition with other manufacturer’s small SUV offerings. The reception surrounding the newbie on the scene was favorable, but unexcited. The Tucson was then completely overhauled and redesigned for the 2010 model year. This newer, shinier, Tucson was produced to be more eco-friendly and a bit more stylish that previous model years, but the promise of the brand new 2016 has auto-critics champing at the bit to get their drive on. The newest model is creating a boatload of buzz in the auto world.
Ready to do serious battle with its competitors, the Tucson is all dressed up and ready to go. Praise seems to be widespread for the additional space, the very sense of quality, and a roomier back seat in the newly redesigned Tucson. There seem to be very few detractors when it comes to the overall quality and performance of this small crossover. Hyundai has slowly emerged as a major player on the field of the auto game, and with the new Tucson, they’ve shown they don’t plan on going anywhere. This CUV completes a full lineup of affordable and attractive cars from the brand with America’s best warranty.
From the streamlined headlights and taillights to the standard spoiler, the Tucson has been given a stylish face and body lift. From top to bottom, this vehicle screams quality, starting with standard 17 inch alloy wheels and finishing with an available panoramic sunroof to take in the stunning vistas in this vehicle’s namesake city. Meant to conjure images of European models of its class, the Tucson has clearly spent a great deal of time on the drawing board as engineers and designers were waiting patiently to perfect it.
Four different trim levels of the Tucson are available, with an impressively affordable starting price of $22,700. It’s also offered in eight fashionable colors, including one called Sedona Sunset, a gentle nod to its Arizona moniker. Boasting anywhere from 30-33 MPG while cruising the highway, the Tucson is available in two different engine sizes, a 2.0L 4-cynlinder or a 1.6 Turbo GDI engine, both meant to maximize performance while making it possible to keep the fill-ups to a minimum. There are also two available transmissions, a standard 6 speed automatic and the optional 7 speed Eco-Shift Dual Clutch Transmission that both provide access to controlled power at your fingertips.
The interior of the Tucson has been designed with the precision and style of a luxury car, in an affordable crossover’s body. With six different settings for the driver’s seat, and the option of an 8-way power seat, the driver is immediately immersed in comfort and class. With upgraded packages, the Tucson can be outfitted with leather seats that offer both heat and ventilation when necessary. Leading the charge in its class for backseat leg room, the Tucson is also packed with comfort features for your rear seat passengers such as reclining seats, rear vents, and the possibility of heated and ventilated back seats as well.
Technology seems to be the big draw these days when it comes to vehicles, and the leading manufacturers are clamoring to put more and more innovative technology into their cars as standard features. Hyundai offers dual zone climate control that ensures maximum comfort for everyone in the car, on top of a Bluetooth hands-free system, standard back-up camera, and a free trial of Sirius XM satellite radio. Packages offer an additional GPS system displayed on an interactive 8 inch touchscreen that has the capability of downloadable apps such as Pandora and other featured applications.
Given that the vehicle is already covered by America’s best warranty, only offered by Hyundai, safety is high priority in the Hyundai world. The Tucson also offers available safety features like specialized auto-braking systems, blind spot monitoring, and pedestrian detection. All of these options make it possible for drivers to avoid potential collisions, but in the event of an accident, the Tucson is also equipped with six standard airbags. Added to the roster are newer features like HillStart assist, and Downhill Brake Control that complete the feeling of absolute safety and control when driving your Tucson.
It may not be the shiniest, or the flashiest vehicle on the auto market. Much like the city of Tucson, this compact CUV is full of rich elegance, and understated class and consistency. Hyundai has been steadily moving up the ladder in terms of popularity, reliability, and quality, and they’ve not disappointed loyalists with the latest redesign of the Tucson. This vehicle is ready to carry your kids to school, jet you off to work, and still last long enough for that cross-country road trip to Arizona. Pack your bags, you’re headed to Tucson!
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