Hyundai Tucson Review
Published: 25th November 2005
Hyundai Tucson
How It Drove - Performance
The Hyundai Tucson 2.7 V6 CDX is powered by a 2.7 V6 engine which produces 173 bhp @ 6,000 rpm, delivering 241 Nm/178 Ibs ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm enabling it accelerate from 0-62 mph in 10.5 seconds and continue to a top speed of 112 mph.
The 2.7 V6 engine is very smooth and refined with a nice grunt on acceleration. We would never call it rapid and overtaking does have to be planned and on occasions there was a noticeable pause whilst the Tucson changed gear on kickdown. The 4-speed 'H-matic' automatic transmission is perfectly matched to the 2.7 V6 engine and it is far more relaxed to drive than a manual vehicle. The 'H-matic' gearbox offers the choice of driving in fully automatic mode or a driver-operated sequential manual mode which is great when you need fine control over gear changes or perhaps when towing or off road.
To be honest we left the gearbox in automatic mode, except when covering some more interesting 'B' roads, and then it was more for fun rather than necessity.
The only downside to the 2.7 V6 engine / automatic gearbox combination is the fuel consumption whilst touring our consumption dipped to 19.1 mpg and peaked at 27.3 mpg. However, a diesel automatic Tucson is available returning 39.8 mpg on a combined cycle. Also 2 Wheel Drive versions of the Tucson are available which should improve fuel consumption.
How It Drove - Ride/Handling
We found the Tucson's power assisted, rack and pinion steering well-weighted and when you become accustomed to its high centre of gravity you can make good progress through bends. Levels of grip are good and although body roll is evident, it is kept in check and cornering was quite fluid. Ride quality on the whole was very good with the Tucson feeling very car-like to drive.
The Tucson is Hyundai's first model to use a 'torque on demand' four wheel drive system. In normal road conditions the Tucson's system runs in front wheel drive (2WD) but when a deterioration in road conditions is detected it switches to four wheel drive (4WD) equally split between front and rear when the 4WD lock is applied. When normal road conditions are detected it will revert to two wheel drive. You can switch to permanent four wheel drive at the touch of a button at speeds of up to 21 mph, should it be necessary.
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