 2008 Hyundai Tucson GL FWD. Click image to enlarge |
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Manufacturer’s web site |
Review and photos by Michael Clark
Photo Gallery:
2008 Hyundai Tucson
With apologies to the estate of Dr. Seuss: Today’s ‘ute is not a brute, though it does scoot, and it’s practical to boot. More and more SUV customers are starting to give a hoot about the operating costs of their heavily-updated interpretations of the Country Squire. You can’t hit a button on the remote lately without seeing some industry analyst warning Joe and Jane Public about impending increases at the pump this summer. Here’s the problem; our lives aren’t getting any less active. An active player in the frugal ’sport-cute’ segment for the last few years has been the Hyundai Tucson. This week’s tester is finished in the popular GL trim level livery, settling in at a relatively painless MSRP of $24,295.
  The Tucson’s simple instrument layout (top); The GL includes breakaway power heated mirrors. Click image to enlarge |
It’s a crisp and simple layout for the Tucson pilot, with tachometer, coolant temperature, and trip odometer readouts. The four-spoke wheel gets manual tilt, with a genuine need for a telescopic thrust. The cruise control stalk is found at the 4 o’clock position. Power windows include a driver’s side Auto-down, while the power breakaway mirrors are also heated. Speaking of heat, there’s a front windshield de-icer switch found to the left of the driver, next to the Traction Control cancel switch.
HVAC control knobs are oversized, an easy mitten-grip for the frostbitten. The single-CD audio head unit includes an auxiliary jack for the MP3 system of your choosing. The ash/coin tray extends automatically with a push of the tray door. A 12-volt powerpoint/lighter is located alongside, with a non-removable rubber bed in front of the 4-speed SHIFTRONIC shifter.
   Locking glove box (top); Adequately-sized overhead sunglass tray (middle); Rear seats fold flat and can be reclined individually. Click image to enlarge |
Unique to the Tucson is the existence of bottle holder provisions for both front and rear doors, with sizable pockets. Rear seatbacks receive see-through mesh pockets. The locking glove box has a removable divider for organizational ease. There are no additional powerpoints in the centre console, which has a unique spring-loaded elevator for the elbow cushion. The rear of the console gets a tiny drop-down tray, with a 12-volt powerpoint above. Front cupholders use four spring-loaded cinchers per cavity. The rear centre armrest uses rubber tab cinchers, though the tale worth telling here is the squared section, paying homage to drinking boxes and snack containers.
There’s a sunglass drop-down tray that actually looks like it can hold today’s gargantuan styles. Visors get unlit vanity mirrors, with sun-blocker extensions.
The GL bump’s popularity must have a smidge to do with the standard one-step control heated front seats. The driver’s seat gets manual eight-way controls, as well as lumbar boost. The front passenger seat can fold flat for Road Warrior workstation space. The 60/40 rear seats can flat-fold, as well as recline individually. Child seat tether points are clearly marked throughout.
  The Tucson features plastic floor and side panels in the cargo hold (top); The Tucson’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Click image to enlarge |
A space-saver spare is found below the cargo floor. Hyundai will change it for you, for the first three years of ownership, with no mileage limit.
There are surprisingly few manufacturers who still employ a two-part rear tailgate, though the practical magic makes the lease payment that much sweeter. The handles on the tailgate are clearly labelled as to which piece you’re opening. The Tucson cargo hold opts for plastic floor and side panels, as well as the rear seatbacks. This makes for an easy-clean hold, though you’ll go squirrelly in a week, after listening to your items slide around with reckless abandon. Cargo nets and cargo area covers are all optional. Cargo tie-down points are easy to access. The rear seatbacks get grocery bag flip-down hooks. Cargo rails are standard, with usual optional hold-down systems available. Before you reach the spare, you’ll find a foam organizer biscuit.
 2008 Hyundai Tucson GL FWD. Click image to enlarge |
The 140-horsepower 2.0-litre four is a comfy fit for the Tucson engine bay, with few concerns for future serviceability. All fluid level checkpoints are clearly marked, with elongated fill necks where needed. Interesting to note is the existence of the automatic transmission fluid dipstick, which has disappeared from numerous makes.
While the styling may still be reminiscent of the last-gen Santa Fe, there’s plenty of think within the Tucson that is intent on continued ownership enjoyment, without ever feeling gimmick-thick. Five stars.
Thanks to Focus Hyundai of Winnipeg for this week’s Inside Story test vehicle.