Hyundai Tucson


The Hyundai Tucson is a compact crossover SUV produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 2004. In the brand's lineup, the Tucson fits below the Santa Fe and Veracruz. It is named after the city of Tucson, Arizona.

First generation (JM; 2004)

The first-generation Tucson was launched in 2004. It shared its Hyundai Elantra-based platform with the second-generation Kia Sportage.

Powertrain

Equipment

In the U.S., the Tucson was offered in base GLS, mid-line SE, and top-tier Limited trim levels for 2007 models. Earlier 2005 and 2006 models were offered as GL/GLS/Limited. Standard equipment included air conditioning, six airbags, electronic stability control, a CD player, alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and premium cloth seats. The SE added to the roster with contrasting gray body cladding, a different alloy design, an AM/FM/Cassette/CD as well as fog lights and a front windshield wiper de-icing grid. The Limited added leather seating surfaces, a 6-disc in dash CD changer, body-colored cladding, automatic climate control, and heated seats. The SE and Limited were only available with the 2.7 L V6. The GLS came only with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
The Tucson offers modest cargo space but its easy-to-fold seats can expand this volume so they lie flat. Even the front passenger seat folds flat for extra-long cargo.

Safety

There are dual-stage frontal impact airbags, torso side-impact airbags built into the front seats, and curtain airbags for side-impact protection for front and rear passengers.
2009 Hyundai Tucson by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Changes for 2006 were minimal. The LX became the Limited and got color-coded cladding, automatic climate control, and a high-performance sound system. The GLS retained the gray cladding but 'HYUNDAI' is no longer branded into the cladding on the front doors. The GLS also got improved cloth seats with the option of a heating element. Both GLS and Limited got redesigned alloy wheels. The base GL remained unchanged.
Changes for 2007 were also minimal. The GL and GLS trims were renamed to GLS and SE, respectively, to match the standard for all new Hyundai vehicles. The SE comes with a sport utility rack, has 4 wheel drive, and is a 6 cylinder engine.
2009 Tucsons saw minor restyling and trim changes.

Tucson FCEV (2005)

The Tucson Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle is a test fuel cell vehicle for Hyundai's 2nd generation hydrogen fuel cell. The vehicle includes an 80 kW electric motor by Enova Systems of Torrance, California, UTC Fuel Cells by South Windsor, Connecticut, 152V battery co-developed by Hyundai Motor Co. and LG Chem in Seoul, Korea, hydrogen storage tanks developed by Dynetek Industries of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The vehicle has range of and top speed of.
The vehicle was unveiled in 2005 at the Los Angeles Auto Show and completed a journey as part of the Hydrogen Road Tour in 2008.

CRTD Xenith (2007–2009)

It is a version of the 2.0 CRDi 6-speed manual 4WD for UK market. It included following:
The vehicle has MSRP of £20,670.

25th Anniversary Edition (2009)

It is a version of the 2009 Tucson 2.0 GLS FWD model with premium Kenwood stereo system, a Garmin in-dash GPS system, a 2-way power sunroof, body color door handles and mirrors. The options cost $1,000.

International markets

In Japan, the Hyundai Tucson was sold as the Hyundai JM until November 2009. The Tucson was also sold in Europe, but not EuroNCAP tested.
A facelifted version of the first generation exclusive to China was produced by Beijing Hyundai. The second generation Tucson was renamed to ix35 in China and Brazil, and later became an independent model while the Tucson name returned with the introduction of the third generation.

Reception

The Hyundai Tucson received accolades from Canadian Car of the Year Best New Crossover award for 2005. It was named as one of the most reliable vehicles from the 2009 Consumer Reports reliability survey.

Second generation (LM; 2009)

In most markets outside South Korea and North America, the Hyundai Tucson name was retired in favor of Hyundai ix35. Vehicles sold in the U.S. continued to be called Tucson. The ix35 was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The power output, fuel-efficiency, comfort and safety features have been all upgraded. Known by the project name LM, it took 36 months and 280 billion won to develop.

Chinese market

In China, the first generation Tucson was sold alongside the ix35, and was replaced by the third generation Tucson directly while the ix35 spawned its own successor, the ix35 II. The Hyundai ix35 II was revealed on the 2017 Shanghai Auto Show in China; it was available to the Chinese car market in Q3 2017.

Design

The ix35's styling was reported to be based on Hyundai ix-onic concept.
The ix35 was penned by Hyundai designer Cha Il-Hoei in 2007, under the guidance of former BMW designer Thomas Buerkle at Hyundai's Russelsheim design studio in Germany and continues the company's styling language, marketed as "fluidic sculpture". The compact crossover vehicle has sweeping coupe-like lines, a premium vehicle feel and comes with features unavailable on its predecessor.
Pre-facelift styling
Post-facelift styling

Powertrain

The Tucson/ix35 is available with several engines: an all-new 2.0-litre diesel R engine, one of two Theta-II petrol engine variants, 1.7-litre UII diesel and 1.6-litre Gamma GDI petrol. The later two only in Europe. The automatic transmission is Hyundai’s all-new six-speed design. The manual transmissions available in Europe is a 6-speed for 1.7-litre and 2.0-litre diesels and 1.6 Gamma and a 5-speed for 2.0 Theta. The 2.0-liter diesel engine, available outside of North America, meets the Euro-5 emissions standards and achieves fuel economy with maximum power output of. The 2.0-litre petrol engine has a fuel economy of with. In South Korea, the diesel engine is offered in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel drive configurations, while the 2.0-litre petrol engine is available only in front-wheel-drive. The North American versions are powered by either the 2.0-litre producing or a 2.4-liter four-cylinder petrol engine producing mated to the six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.4-litre engine makes almost the same power as the previous generation V6 engine while managing 20% better fuel economy than the previous generation four-cylinder.
The Tucson sold in the United States came in three trims: GL, GLS and Limited, with All-Wheel Drive available for GLS and Limited trims. The GL comes with a standard manual transmission, but a 6-speed automatic transmission is available and is standard on GLS and Limited. Features include available steering wheel-mounted audio controls, hands-free Bluetooth phone connectivity, navigation system, and a standard iPod interface system including iPod cable. An array of advanced safety equipment is standard, including Hillstart Assist Control and Downhill Brake Control. A Proximity Key and Push Button Start system is available in the Korean market but not the North American. The North American version uses a different gauge cluster design than the Korean version.
2014 model Tucson for North America have been upgraded with GDI direct injected Theta II engines that obtain more power and better emissions, LED tail/head lights, more stylish alloy rim designs, and a few minor improvements to the interior/audio system.

2011

The 2011 Tucson offered in the U.S. a new GL trim which replaces the 2010 GLS model as Tucson's base trim. The GL is powered by a new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to either a five-speed manual or an available six-speed automatic transmission in order to obtain better fuel economy than the 2.4-liter engine. The 2011 GLS trim includes the features of the 2010 "Popular Equipment Package" and an automatic transmission as standard equipment. Limited models now include standard electrochromatic mirrors with Homelink and has received Sachs dampeners to provide a smoother ride. The electronic stability control and motor driven power steering systems have been enhanced for improved performance. All AWD models now receive standard heated seats. This model was a prominent vehicle used by the survivors in The Walking Dead.

Equipment

Some of the notable features of Tucson are as follows:
The second-generation Hyundai Tucson earned 'Top Safety Pick' award from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the U.S.
Moderate overlap frontal offsetGood
Small overlap frontal offsetPoor
Side impactGood
Roof strengthGood

Third generation (TL; 2015)

On February 17, 2015, Hyundai released the first details about its next-generation Tucson ahead of the crossover's official debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 3, 2015. This model arrived in showrooms in the second half of 2015, as a 2016 model year, and for the first time will use the Tucson name in all markets where it is sold.
During the Geneva show Hyundai also unveiled two concept variants, a Tucson hybrid electric and a diesel-powered plug-in hybrid. The 48V Hybrid combines a 2.0-liter diesel model with 134 hp and a six-speed manual transmission along with a 14 hp electric motor; combined system performance is 148 hp and 413 N·m of torque. This boosts system power by 10% while emitting only 109 g/km. The concept plug-in-hybrid is also based on the all-new Tucson platform, is equipped with a 1.7-liter diesel engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The engine generates 113 hp and is accompanied by a 67 hp electric motor and a 10.7 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, which delivers an all-electric range of more than. Combined system output is a maximum of 180 hp with 474 N·m of torque, with estimated emissions of less than 48 g/km.

Powertrain

2019 refresh

First shown at the 2018 New York Auto show, the Hyundai Tucson for the 2019 model year received a facelift and significant changes to the powertrain options. Exterior updates included a new cascade grille, reshaped hood and tailgate design, rectangular fuel door, new rim designs, and an updated LED headlight design for higher trim levels. The interior received a major update to include a newly designed dash with lower centrally-placed air vents and a high-mounted head unit display. A new safety feature named Driver Attention Warning system is standard across all trim levels, and both the Lane Keeping Assist departure/correction system and Front Collision Avoidance Assist system are now also standard across all trim levels. The manual and dual clutch transmission options were dropped in favor of the 6-speed Shiftronic automatic used in previous model years and is available with Front-Wheel-Drive or All-Wheel-Drive. The 2.0L Nu GDI engine continues in the SE and Value trim levels but for other trims the 1.6L I-4 turbocharged engine was dropped and replaced by a 2.4 Liter I-4 GDI naturally aspirated engine which produces 181 hp at 6000 rpm and 175 lb-ft with a slight loss in fuel economy. For the Chinese market, the Tucson was given an alternate facelift for the 2019 model year with the single model name known as 280TGDi and 6 separate trim levels. The 1.6 litre G4FJ engine is available paired to a 7 speed dual clutch gearbox. Pricing ranges between 155,900 and 239,900 yuan.
In spring 2019 Hyundai started selling the sportier variant N-Line.
Pre-facelift styling
Post-facelift styling
Chinese market post-facelift styling

Sales

Calendar yearUnited States
20047,074
200561,048
200652,067
200741,476
200819,027
200915,411
201039,594
201147,232
201248,878
201341,906
201447,306
201563,591
201689,713
2017114,735
2018142,263
2019137,381