2014 Hyundai Tucson Limited
Base Price: $27,075
As-Tested Price: $29,835
Drivetrain: 2.4-liter I4; FWD, six-speed automatic
Output: 182 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 177 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,294 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 21/28/24 mpg
AW Observed Fuel Economy: 23.0 mpg
Still, I couldn't help but sincerely enjoy my time in the 2014 Hyundai Tucson Limited, if only because it does everything right. Not the Toyota Camry's idea of right, mind you, which leans more to the I-don't-have-to-actually-use-my-brain-to-drive side of things. Rather, the Tucson takes a genuinely logical approach to making it as easy as possible for the driver to do the job at hand, while still providing easy, safe control of all those things we like to do while driving. Power is surprisingly decent, even if it doesn't look like it on paper. Merging onto freeways, passing slower traffic, pulling away from stops, part-load stabs of the gas, the Tucson responds to every situation without hiccup.
Maybe just as important as how it moves is how easy it is to navigate the cabin. The Hyundai has just the right combination of buttons, touch-screen commands, dials and switches for controlling all the comfort, informational and entertainment features. Seriously, it annoys me to no end to have to adjust the fan speed by accessing the touchscreen (I'm talking to you, Lexus GX 460, and others I can't think of right now). More than that, the Tucson puts everything in just the right place, and surrounds the whole thing with a comfortable, moderately stylish package. I approve.
ROAD TEST EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: The 2014 Hyundai Tucson Limited is a pretty good alternative to the key players in the segment like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue and Ford Escape. However, if you look at sales numbers, the Tucson lags well behind the other four, selling a little over 16K units through the first four months of the year, while Nissan pushed out 65K Rogues, Toyota moved nearly 72K RAV4s and Ford and Honda both sold around 96K Escapes and CR-Vs respectively during the same period.
Maybe it's because the Tucson is the oldest entry among that group of small SUVs listed above, but even still the Hyundai remains a respectable ride. In front-wheel-drive trim, the 2.4-liter pulls the Tucson around just fine with 182 hp on tap. Of course, it's not an NHRA dragster, but giddy up is sufficient to blend in with expressway traffic and get off the line in a brisk manner when needed. The six-speed automatic gearbox performs smooth, but leisurely shifts.
The Tucson does fall a bit short in the suspension department with a crashy ride quality on the terrible roads Michigan's beautiful landscape is graced with. On smooth pavement it rides fine and corners confidently with some roll. Steering has some play off center but tightens up with you dial in more angle. Brakes are grabby with real responsive pedal, which I always appreciate.
I still like the Tucson's cabin layout. It remains fresh looking, but more importantly, functions extremely well. Climate controls consist of standard buttons and knobs, while infotainment features are operated by traditional hard buttons and a touchscreen. Buttons are large and clearly marked and the touchscreen respond quickly to inputs.
Some soft-touch materials are placed in strategic areas, and the hard plastic surfaces feature respectable finishes. The only change I would really like to see is larger side bolsters on the front seats. As is, the seats are too flat. Another small annoyance popped up when I drove into work during a heavy rain storm. I have to say, the rear wiper motor in this Tucson is the loudest one I've heard in a car.
It's also remains good looking when comparing it to others in the segment on the outside. The swoopy front end and character lines that run along the side of the car are stylish yet subtle. The 18-inch wheels and chrome accents around the grille and on the door handles also offer just enough visual pop.
With an as-tested price of $29,835, our test car is priced on par with others in the segment when you consider models with navigation and a premium audio system. For those of you who insist on having all-wheel drive, it's another $1,500 for that option on the Tucson, which is reasonable.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR GRAHAM KOZAK: It'd be logical to think of the Toyota RAV4 as the crossover equivalent of the Corolla compact. But this Tucson Limited is so blandly inoffensive -- read: perfect for its target audience -- that it'll do just fine in the role.
Whipping it up to expressway speed elicits some four-banger droning, but it doesn't want for power. With the 265-hp 2.0-liter turbo in the Santa Fe Sport 2.0T, the Tucson might even feel downright peppy. Alas, this 2.4-liter is the most powerful option on the table. I think that's the motor you're going to want here -- you're going to have to flog the base 2.0-liter fairly hard.
Steering was tight, but it wasn't matched by a suspension as sporty as, say, the CX-5's. There was also some deadness toward the center, possibly something common to Hyundais and their electric power steering -- our long-term Santa Fe had a slightly “notchy” feel to it as well.
As-tested, on paper, this is Hyundai is a ringer for the Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring FWD. We tend to like the Mazda offering a lot around here, but I question whether the average crossover driver will notice a difference between the two. If memory serves me correctly, the Ford Escape Titanium packs a slightly more premium-feeling interior for a few thousand dollars more.
All in all, the Tucson Limited represents a respectable, though not particularly thrilling, entry into a competitive segment packed with vehicles following a well-established formula. That's a long way of saying that I don't think they'll have any trouble selling these.
Source : http://www.autoweek.com/article/20140530/carreviews/140529794#ixzz33E6XM4TV
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