2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON The Tucson is a compact sport-utility ...

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2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON ... cylinder or a V6 engine, the latter with the V6 only. ... The manual transmission is well geared, with very smooth clutch action.
2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON The Tucson is a compact sport-utility vehicle built on the platform of a car, the Hyundai Elantra, to be precise. It is available in two- and four-wheel drive, the former with either a fourcylinder or a V6 engine, the latter with the V6 only. All models come with anti-lock brakes and with slip and skid control. The Tucson is 10 cm shorter but a bit wider than its main rivals.

Interior and cargo area The front seats are very comfortable. They do not have adjustable lumbar support, but the driver’s seat has two knobs to adjust the cushion angle. The driving position is good. Both backrests fold down, which is unusual. The back bench provides comfortable seating for two adults, with generous head- and leg room. Both sides of the 60/40 split backrest fold and have five rear reclining positions. The backs are finished in plastic to avoid damaging them when carrying a load. The roomy cargo area is accessed by lifting the entire, wide-opening hatch or just the window. The cargo area has a plastic floor and several tie-down rings. Convenience and safety The Tucson is well finished in good-quality materials, but soundproofing is deficient, be it for road, wind or engine noise. There is a fair amount of storage, including a roomy, two-level centre console. All instruments and controls are well laid out and lighted at night. The heating and air conditioning systems are efficient. You don’t have to worry about turning off the outside lights, because they switch off automatically with the engine.

Photos: Hyundai

Small grievances include the roof rails, too short because they end at the B-pillars, and the roof antenna, small but still big enough to get in the way of objects carried on the roof. Safety features include dual front air bags and five locking head restraints. The front restraints do not adjust high enough for tall people whereas the rear ones are too low, even for people of average height. On the other hand, the Tucson is equipped not only with ABS brakes but skid control as well. Visibility is very good on all sides, and the headlights are bright. Engine and transmission Two engines are available, a 2.0-litre Four, which develops 140 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.7-litre V6, which produces 173 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. The fourcylinder is short on power and torque; you have to tramp the accelerator to keep up with traffic. The V6 is better adapted to the vehicle, providing palpable staring and passing acceleration. In both cases, the accelerator could be smoother. The manual transmission is well geared, with very smooth clutch action. However, the shift lever has a rather imprecise and rubbery feel to it and its shift pattern sometimes feels off. The well-geared automatic transmission is very smooth and allows you to start off in second gear for better starts on slippery surfaces. The four-wheel-drive system can transfer 50% of torque to the rear wheels when the front wheels slip. In the LOCK position, torque is divided 50/50 between the front and rear wheels up to 40 km-h, after which the system reverts to automatic. The system shifts seamlessly from one mode to the other. On the road The fully independent suspension is calibrated to provide a smooth ride that is comfortable in most situations but can get bouncy on some bumps. Road holding is adequate, with fairly pronounced lean in curves. The suspension gives the vehicle a sturdy feel. The power steering is well weighted, with a bit of road feel. Steering is stable, precise and reasonably quick, and the turning circle is short. The four-wheel disc brakes are powerful and fade resistant. At a CAA-Quebec inspection centre, we noted that the Tucson is well assembled, except for a few details. The ABS wires are exposed to damage in the front fenders, and the lower part of the gas tank filler pipe is not protected. Rustproofing is very good.

Photos: Hyundai

Conclusion Well-designed and assembled and well-equipped, safety and otherwise, the Tucson is comfortable and pleasant to drive. The fact that all the seatbacks fold down is an unusual feature that people who want a versatile interior will appreciate. Some buyers, however, may be put off by the poor soundproofing. PROS: roomy interior, comfortable front seats, handling, choice of models, roadability, well-adapted V6 engine CONS: perfectible manual gearbox, deficient soundproofing, short roof rails, underperforming 4-cylinder engine, antenna on roof, rear head restraints do not adjust high enough 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON Engine: 16-valve, 2.0-litre 4-cyl.; 24-valve, 2.7-litre V6 Horsepower: 140 hp @ 6000 rpm; 173 hp @ 6000 rpm Torque: 136 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm; 178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm Transmission: 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic Suspension: fully independent Brakes: 4-wheel disc Length: 432.5 cm Width: 179.5 cm (V6: 183 cm) Height: 173 cm Wheelbase: 263 cm Weight: 1,470 to 1,609 kg Tires: 215/65R16 Towing capacity: 907 kg (4 cyl.: 680 kg) Air bags: standard front Fuel consumption with V6 engine and 4X4 drive system: − Transport Canada rating: city: 12.3 L/100 km (23 mpg); highway: 8.8 L/100 km (32 mpg) − Test result: 13 L/100 (22 mpg) − Test drive temperature: 7oC to 18oC Fuel tank capacity: 58 litres (V6: 65 litres) Acceleration with V6 engine: 0-100 km/h: 10.2 seconds

60-100 km/h: 6.9 seconds

Competition: Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda Element and CR-V, Kia Sportage, Mazda Tribute, Nissan X-Trail, Saturn Vue, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota RAV4

Photos: Hyundai

Warranty: − Full basic coverage: 5 years/100,000 km − Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km − Surface corrosion: 3 years/60,000 km − Perforation damage: 5 years/unlimited kilometrage − Emissions control system: 5 years/100,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module and onboard diagnostic device) Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $603 Brake pads: $119 Front fender: $225

Front brake disk: $119 Muffler: $384 (with rear tailpipe)

Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, male or female driver 30 to 40 years old): $1,040 to $1,721 Price according to trim line: GL: $19,995 GL V6: $24,865 GL V6 4X4: $27,145 GLS V6 4X4: $28,725 Main options: Trailer hitch: $491 Air conditioning: $1,984 (GL) Luggage cover: $324 Price as tested: GL: $21,415 GLS: $28,725 Freight and preparation: $1,295 Dealers: Quebec: 56; Canada: 144 CAA-Quebec, April 2005. All rights reserved.

Photos: Hyundai