The Hyundai Tuscan Limited, Takes on the big boys.

Hyundai Tuscan Limited appears to looking a lot sleeker than it ever has before, yet looking at the price tag, you may find that this is some what of a mystery as to why, for it is still lower than many of the main rivals which include Land Rover, Nissan, Honda and of course The Jeep, but price is not the only factor, the Hyundai Tuscan Limited still carries that enormous Five year warranty, five years! Which generally means that when you come to sell the vehicle it will still have the manufactures warranty on it, providing like most you do sell it within the first years, like many car owners do these days.

left>


Of course, we all know that the Hyundai badge is not the first choice of many car buyers, particularly of these machines, yet when you just stand back and look at what you are getting, a potential buyer may be inclined to say “What the hell” and forsake the the image factor in favour for a quality built machine that offer more or less exactly the same in options, looks and design.

The Hyundai Tuscan Limited has clean, crisp, sleek and smooth lines, if that was at all possible, yes it may be a bland possibly very ordinary design, it does grab you by the collar as you pass it by, it is by no means a stunning vehicle that will turn heads as you drive down the high street to your favourite cafe or pick the children up from school, but like with many car designs it does take a couple of times to actually appreciate it, I have experienced this myself when there is a new model realised and though to my self “What on earth is going on there” only to find after the car for a few times, that is actually begins to grow on you. The Hyundai Tuscan Limited is one of those cars.

This car comes with huge 16” alloy wheels for those days when the rain is a little harder than a shower, tinted glass, colour coded bumpers, moulded side panels, door handles and mirror housings, which actually makes for an expensive look to the car, and similar to what the great late Henry Ford famously said, “You can have it any colour you like, just as long as it is black!” well almost it is also available in silver, which in actual fact appears to be the better colour of the two, but does cost an extra £350 ($676) or so.

In the drivers seat, you find that it is comfortable and functional giving good all round visibility and of the dials, which is not always the case with other sports utility vehicles, and all the switches, buttons and other controls are all within easy reach and clearly laid out, making it easy to operate in all sorts of driving conditions. Talking about driving, if you have driven any other sports utility vehicle then you would be pleasantly surprised at how the Hyundai Tuscan Limited handles and drives, close your eyes for a moment and you may think that you are driving a Jeep Cherokee or something similar.

left>


As you would expect the Hyundai Tuscan Limited handles just a well off road as on it, the car can handle all manner of off road situations like steep hills, dirt tracks and deep holes in tarmac, however in proper four wheel drive mode, you would expect to drive across a water logged field with no problem at all, but due to its gear box, it lacks the necessary low gear ratio needed to drive the four wheels at a slow but steady rate, which will pull the vehicle out of the sticky mud and out of trouble. On the subject of carefully applying pressure the accelerator lets the side down as it is not a precision type peddle that allows you to apply the power at a steady slow rate that is needed for off road, the accelerator position leaves a lot to be desired, these are just minor faults, but can be a bit a problem especially if you have bought the car specifically as an off road vehicle.

The standard features of the Hyundai Tuscan Limited are generous and include; Six air bags, Power Steering, Climate Control, Body colour door mirrors and handles, Electric tilt/slide sunroof, Electric operated/heated door mirrors, Electro chrome rear view mirror + compass, Electric front and rear windows, Front windscreen de-icer, Intermittent front wipe with adjustable delay, Rear wash/wipe with intermittent wipe setting, Tinted glass, 16" 6 spoke alloys, Alarm and remote central locking,

Engine immobiliser, Locking wheel nuts, 60/40 split and double folding seats (flat to floor), Driver seat lumbar adjustment, Front/rear adjustable head restraints, Heated front seats, Height adjustable driver's seat, Isofix child seat attachment, and Map pocket on front seat backs. The list can go on and on, so I will place a full list below for for you to view at your leisure.

In conclusion, the Hyundai Tuscan Limited is a good all round vehicle, it is a great car for driving around town, going shopping and on holiday etc, but the off road side appears to lack that of the other cars in the same sort of size and market place, yet it has to said, how many of these off roaders would actually be driven off road? I think that answer would be not many, not many al all. Having said all that, the Hyundai Tuscan Limited is a great value sports utility vehicle, with the looks of a higher end of the market car and the price tag and warranty that is hard to beat, this should be the “Entry Level” sports utility vehicle, but in reality it is much more than that.

left>


Specifications;

Body Glass for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Electric front+rear windows

Front windscreen de-icer

Intermittent front wipe with adjustable delay

Rear wash/wipe with intermittent wipe setting

Tinted glass

Brakes for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

ABS/EBD

Traction control

Driver Aids for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Cruise control

PAS

Driver Information for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Digital clock

Rev counter

Speedometer

Tailgate open warning light

Trip computer

Trip odometer

Water temperature gauge

Driving Mirrors for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Electric operated/heated door mirrors

Electro chrome rear view mirror + compass

Embellishment Trims for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Metal grain centre console

Entertainment for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

RDS radio with single CD player + 4 speakers

Exterior Body Features for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Body colour door mirrors and handles

Electric tilt/slide sunroof

Mud flaps front and rear

Roof mounted aerial

Roof rails

Skid plate protection

Exterior Lights for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Front fog lights

High mounted rear brake light

Heating/

Cooling/

Ventilation for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Climate control air conditioning

Interior Features for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

12V power point front/rear

Adjustable steering column

Ashtray

Cigar lighter

Cup holders in centre and rear console

Front and rear door pockets

Front under seat storage trays

Height adjustable front armrest with stowage

Leather seat facings+door trim

Leather steering wheel/gear lever

Load cover

Lockable glove box

Luggage net

Overhead console with sunglasses holder

Rear armrest

Seat back hooks

Interior Lights for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Door courtesy lamps

Paint - Solid for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Solid- Ebony Black

Safety for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

3x3 point rear seatbelts

'Childproof' rear door locks

Driver and passenger air bags

Height adjustable front seatbelts

Seatbelt pre tensioners with load limiters

Seatbelt warning

Side + roof air bags

Seats for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

60/40 split and double folding seats (flat to floor)

Driver seat lumbar adjustment

Front/rear adjustable head restraints

Heated front seats

Height adjustable driver's seat

Isofix child seat attachment

Map pocket on front seat backs

Security for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Alarm and remote central locking

Engine immobiliser

Locking wheel nuts

Trim - Leather for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Leather - Grey

Wheels - Alloy for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

16" 6 spoke alloys

Wheels - Spare for Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Full size spare wheel

Engine information for Hyundai Tucson Estate 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Fuel Type Petrol

Fuel Delivery MULTI POINT FUEL INJECTION

CC 1975

No. of Cylinders 4

Cylinder Layout IN-LINE

No. of Valves 16

Transmission information for Hyundai Tucson Estate 2.0 Cdx 5dr

No. of Gears 5 SPEED MANUAL

Performance information for Hyundai Tucson Estate 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Top Speed 108mph

Acceleration 0-62mph 11.3

BHP 139

Max Torque 136

Fuel Consumption information for Hyundai Tucson Estate 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Urban MPG (km/litre) 26.6 (9.42)

Extra MPG (km/litre) 41.5 (14.69)

Combined MPG (km/litre) 34.4 (12.18)

Fuel Tank Capacity 58 litres

Emissions information for Hyundai Tucson Estate 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Co2 Emissions (g/km) 194

Catalytic Converter Yes

Dimensions / Weights information for Hyundai Tucson Estate 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Luggage Capacity (Litres) 644

Length (mm) 4325

Width (mm) inc Mirrors 1830

Height 1680

Wheelbase 2630

Kerb Weight 1678

Towing Capacity (Braked) 1600

Towing Capacity (UnBraked) 750

General information for Hyundai Tucson Estate 2.0 Cdx 5dr

Insurance Group 11

NCAP Rating 4 Stars

Prices Start at £14,820 ($28,650)