We drive the new 2016 Hyundai Tucson
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| 2016 Hyundai Tucson |
The all-new 2016 Hyundai Tucson will arrive in dealerships as you read this and we were excited to be given the opportunity to test it beforehand. The new Tucson continues with Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design theme that debuted on the 2015 Genesis.
The new styling is not ground breaking but it results in a good looking vehicle. The front is dominated by a hexagonal-shaped grille, a key element of Hyundai’s design signature, enhanced by LED twin-projector headlights, LED headlight accents and integrated LED daytime running lights. The new styling also resulted in a longer wheelbase. Tucson’s wheelbase increases by more than an inch, for enhanced design proportions, interior flexibility and a smoother ride.
The new car is larger than the one it replaces. The 2016 car is three inches longer, one inch wider and has a one inch longer wheelbase. The end result is more interior room. Cargo room has increased from 26 cubic feet to 31 cubic feet. There is now more room in the back seat as well and the rear seats are more comfortable than ever. Part of the reason could be that the rear seats now can recline up to 37 degrees from the old car’s 28 degrees. Those extra few degrees really make the difference.
2016 Tucson powertrain offerings also have been improved with fuel economy as the target. Base models offer a 2.0-liter, direct-injected four-cylinder with 164 horsepower and 151 lb.-ft. of torque, coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine is rated at 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
[adinserter name="GOOGLE AD"]Eco, Sport and Limited models offer the new Gamma engine family which is a 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder with 175 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. Peak torque delivery starts at only 1,500 rpm and holds through 4,500 rpm, for low-RPM responsiveness and performance in everyday driving conditions. The turbocharger features low-inertia turbo-spooling response characteristics and an electronic wastegate control for more precise control of manifold pressure. The Gamma engine also features a new water jacket insert that prioritizes cooling in the upper level of the cylinder block where more combustion heat is generated, resulting in lower cylinder head temperatures and allowing for leaner air/fuel mixtures for better fuel efficiency.
The turbo engine is coupled to a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. This Hyundai-developed dual-clutch transmission offers outstanding efficiency with quick, seamless shifting and brisk acceleration. The combination results in better fuel economy over the base engine. EPA fuel economy for this powertrain is 26 mpg city and 33 mpg on the highway which is a full 5 mpg improvement over last year’s car.
Our turbocharged Limited Tucson felt very quick in everyday traffic. The engine provides quick bursts of power at lower rpms and feels very strong at the speeds that most people will be driving. It runs out of energy if you keep your foot in it but who does that with a Tucson? The 33 mpg number is very sweet and we averaged in the low 30s on the freeway in normal traffic.
Perhaps the best part of the new Tucson is the chassis improvements that make this Hyundai smooth and comfortable when cruising the interstate while it is actually fun to drive when driven at a quicker pace on twisty roads. Hyundai says that the Tucson has bigger and stiffer engine mounts to absorb vibrations better, more sound insulation has been placed everywhere to make the car quieter. Hyundai has even used adhesives, 335 feet worth of adhesives, to insulate the structure for a stiffer and quieter structure.
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| Interior |
Inside, you are treated to a typical Hyundai interior with lots of standard features. Apple Siri "Eyes Free" integration is now available. Popular apps such as Pandora Internet Radio and Yelp are already integrated with the multimedia system. The Yelp app has been optimized for Tucson’s eight-inch touchscreen and will help find restaurants, shopping and more. Once a restaurant is chosen, the navigation system can provide directions to the restaurant without even requiring passengers to input the address. For audiophiles, Tucson also offers an available 405-watt premium audio system with eight speakers. The system offers live traffic, fuel prices at gas stations and much more. The list of features will make many of your neighbors jealous especially when they find out how great the prices are.
The base Tucson starts out at $22,700 for the front wheel drive 2.0 liter. The cheapest turbo 1.6 model is the front wheel drive Eco model going for $24,150. Our top of the line AWD Limited was $31,300 which is a bargain considering all of the technology and the standard features.
The Tucson has really been improved in almost every way and now it is a serious contender if you want a five passenger crossover to haul the family around. It combines good fuel economy, turbocharged engine, luxury features and interior room for a great family vehicle.
2016 Tucson: Features & Specifications
PRICING/PACKAGES
| Pricing | SE | ECO | SPORT | LIMITED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (Front Wheel Drive) | $22,700 | $24,150 | $26,150 | $29,900 |
| Starting MSRP (All Wheel Drive) | $24,100 | $25,550 | $27,550 | $31,300 |
Show package available for : All, SE, ECO, SPORT, LIMITED
- LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
- Fog lights (halogen)
- Roof rack side rails
- Premium side sills (metallic painted)
- Driver’s auto-down/up power window
- Dual illuminated vanity mirrors
- Illuminated glove compartment
- Power driver seat with power lumbar support
- LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
- Fog lights (halogen)
- Roof rack side rails
- Premium side sills (metallic painted)
- Driver’s auto-down/up power window
- Dual illuminated vanity mirrors
- Illuminated glove compartment
- High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with Dynamic Bending Lighting System (DBLS)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection
- Rear parking sensors
- Panoramic sunroof
- Front LED maplights
- 4.2-inch LCD Electroluminescent Gauge Cluster
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated rear seats
EPA MILEAGE ESTIMATES*/FUEL CAPACITY
| EPA Mileage Estimates/Fuel Capacity | SE | ECO | SPORT | LIMITED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City/Highway/Combined (Front Wheel Drive) | 23 / 31 / 26 | 26 / 33 / 29 | 25 / 30 / 27 | 25 / 30 / 27 |
| City/Highway/Combined (All Wheel Drive) | 21 / 26 / 23 | 25 / 31 / 27 | 24 / 28 / 26 | 24 / 28 / 26 |
| Fuel tank capacity (gal.) | 16.4 | 16.4 | 16.4 | 16.4 |
MECHANICAL
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
| Exterior Features | SE | ECO | SPORT | LIMITED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase (in.) | 105.1 | 105.1 | 105.1 | 105.1 |
| Length (in.) | 176.2 | 176.2 | 176.2 | 176.2 |
| Width (in.) without mirrors | 72.8 | 72.8 | 72.8 | 72.8 |
| Height (in.) without roof rack side rails/with roof rack side rails | 64.8 / 65.0 | 64.8 / 65.0 | 64.8 / 65.0 | 64.8 / 65.0 |
| Wheels | SE | ECO | SPORT | LIMITED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Track (in., front/rear) 17-inch wheels | 63.3 / 63.8 | 63.3 / 63.8 |  |
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| Track (in., front/rear) 19-inch wheels | |
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63.1 / 63.6 | 63.1 / 63.6 |
| Weight | SE | ECO | SPORT | LIMITED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curb weight (lbs.) FWD | 3,325 – 3,439 | 3,369 – 3,580 | 3,369 – 3,580 | 3,369 – 3,580 |
| Curb weight (lbs.) AWD | 3,490 – 3,602 | 3,499 – 3,710 | 3,499 – 3,710 | 3,499 – 3,710 |
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
| Interior Features | SE | ECO | SPORT | LIMITED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head room (in., front/rear) | 39.6 / 39.2 | 39.6 / 39.2 | 39.6 / 39.2 | 39.6 / 39.2 |
| Leg room (in., front/rear) | 41.5 / 38.2 | 41.5 / 38.2 | 41.5 / 38.2 | 41.5 / 38.2 |
| Shoulder room (in., front/rear) | 57.1 / 55.5 | 57.1 / 55.5 | 57.1 / 55.5 | 57.1 / 55.5 |
| Hip room (in., front/rear) | 55.6 / 54.5 | 55.6 / 54.5 | 55.6 / 54.5 | 55.6 / 54.5 |
| Interior Volume | SE | ECO | SPORT | LIMITED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total interior volume (cu. ft.) | 133.2 | 133.2 | 133.2 | 133.2 |
| Passenger volume (cu. ft.) | 102.2 | 102.2 | 102.2 | 102.2 |
| Cargo volume (cu. ft.) rear seats up/rear seats folded down | 31.0 / 61.9 | 31.0 / 61.9 | 31.0 / 61.9 | 31.0 / 61.9 |
SAFETY FEATURES
EXTERIOR FEATURES
| Exterior Features | SE | ECO | SPORT | LIMITED |
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| Hands-free Smart Liftgate | |
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| Roof rack side rails |  |
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| Dual fold-away heated power bodycolor side mirrors | |
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| Side mirror-mounted turn-signal indicators | |
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| LED Center High-Mount Stop Light (CHMSL) | |
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| Rear spoiler | |
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| Chrome door handles | |
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| Chrome front grille | |
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| Premium front and rear fascias | |
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| Premium side sills (metallic painted) | |
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| Solar control glass | |
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| Privacy glass | |
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| Variable intermittent windshield wipers/washer | |
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| Front windshield wiper de-icer (Standard on AWD) | |
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| Shark-fin antenna | |
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| Front fog lights | |
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| Halogen Projector headlights | |
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| LED headlights | |
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| HID Xenon headlights | |
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| Automatic headlights | |
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| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | |
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| LED tail lights | |
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| Proximity Key entry with push button start | |
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