Revamped 2010 Hyundai Tucson has better value

LThe 2011 Hyundai Tucson has just a few improvments over... — LThe 2011 Hyundai Tucson has just a few improvments over the 2010. (Undated) Credit: Handout

By TOM INCANTALUPOtom.incantalupo@newsday.comOctober 7, 2010

Little SUVs have become the modern equivalent of the compact or midsize station wagons of days gone by -- mainstay family vehicles that nearly every carmaker now offers. Hyundai's smallest is the Tucson, and it got a revamp for 2010 that makes it an even better value for a reasonable price.

As noted, the tester was a 2010 model but changes for 2011 are few, including the addition of a budget "GL" model with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive -- for $19,540 with freight and a stick shift. The least expensive 2010 model began at $19,790.

Hyundai says the redesign for 2010 improved cornering and overall agility and, indeed, while the tester's ride could be harsh on a bad road surface, there was a payoff in handling, especially at highway speeds, helped by a new steering system.

A "smart" automatic transmission is programmed to spend as much time as possible in top gear for better fuel economy, yet doesn't "hunt" between gears on upgrades, as do some competitors' automatics.

The 2.4-liter, 175 hp. engine offers more than enough power; the only time you might wish for the predecessor's no-longer-available V-6 is when hauling up a long interstate upgrade with a full load of passengers or gear. The Tucson is rated to tow a 2,000-pound trailer - 500 pounds heavier than the heaviest a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V will tow, according to their respective manufacturers. But the CR-V and RAV4 are longer vehicles and, so, can carry more cargo inside.

Hyundai says the 2010 Tucson is 3.3 inches longer and 1 inch wider than its predecessor, yet 61 pounds lighter.

My Tucson tester's attractive and functional interior had just one flaw that I could find: The rear seat backs don't fold down far enough to provide a flat load floor.

The tester stickered at $28,000 - not cheap, but including leather upholstered seats, power everything, a sunroof, navigation system and an upgraded audio system.

A 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and six year/60,000-mile coverage of everything else are selling points. Other competitors to consider include the Subaru Forester, Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue, Mazda CX-7 and the Jeep Compass and Patriot.

The federal government hasn't published a safety ranking yet for the redesigned Tucson, but the private Insurance Institute for Highway Safety calls it a "top safety pick" for its protection of occupants in front, side and rear impacts.

Consumer Reports, which has five Hyundais on its "recommended" list, hasn't weighed in yet on the new Tucson's reliability but, just for the record, the magazine's editors don't like the Tucson's ride and deem the vehicle noisy.