Topic: 2011 Hyundai Tucson Limited; Day 1

[Autos_Editor]

The compact crossover segment is a crowded place to be, with just about every mainstream automaker fielding a model in it. James drives a Hyundai Tucson this week, in full-jam Limited trim.
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[Factger]

At $34000 that should include the new turbo engine. The GL & GLS AWD @ aproximately $26 & $29 grand that is where the value is for sure. It is a great vehicle. It was on my short list but was a little too small for 5 passengers. (2 car seats)

[Ryan]

Agreed $34,000 is way to much. You could pick up a flex or new explorer for that much. Next, what does it tow? With things shifting towards 4 cylinder CUV's what are people in North America going to do about towing. I do agree this is large enough for most families but their are times when we need to tow for recreation, and I don't want to go to a full size to pull something 6 times a year. For example the similarly sized Ford Kuga is rated at 4600lb towing in EU.

DRyanC

[wing]

Whoa, this is a COMPACT not even a mid-sized and you are talking full-sized already.  This doesn't tow, not anything more than a utility trailer anyways.

[sailor723]

What would the Ford Kuga relate to in terms of North American vehicles?

[Ryan]

"Whoa, this is a COMPACT not even a mid-sized and you are talking full-sized already.  This doesn't tow, not anything more than a utility trailer anyways."
My point exactly. If I wanted something from Hyundai that was practical and got good mileage I would get the Elantra touring, or cross your fingers the Sonota wagon (i40).

"What would the Ford Kuga relate to in terms of North American vehicles?"
The Kuga is comparable to this Tucson. It will hopefully be the Escape replacement but North American regulations will probably kill the towing specs. NA wants you to buy their larger vehicles.

DRyanC

[sailor723]

Agreed $34,000 is way to much. You could pick up a flex or new explorer for that much. Next, what does it tow? With things shifting towards 4 cylinder CUV's what are people in North America going to do about towing. I do agree this is large enough for most families but their are times when we need to tow for recreation, and I don't want to go to a full size to pull something 6 times a year. For example the similarly sized Ford Kuga is rated at 4600lb towing in EU.

DRyanC

Ryan does raise an interesting point. Are North American buyers ready for a (relatively) expensive compact with a high level of features and equipment or do many still equate price with size?

[CanuckG35]

At $34000 that should include the new turbo engine. The GL & GLS AWD @ aproximately $26 & $29 grand that is where the value is for sure. It is a great vehicle. It was on my short list but was a little too small for 5 passengers. (2 car seats)

It was on my short list as well Gerard.  I really liked the Tucson a lot, it just ended up being a little too small for our needs.  Funny we both ended up with an Edge.   

[aaronk]

Agreed $34,000 is way to much. You could pick up a flex or new explorer for that much. Next, what does it tow? With things shifting towards 4 cylinder CUV's what are people in North America going to do about towing. I do agree this is large enough for most families but their are times when we need to tow for recreation, and I don't want to go to a full size to pull something 6 times a year. For example the similarly sized Ford Kuga is rated at 4600lb towing in EU.

DRyanC

Ryan does raise an interesting point. Are North American buyers ready for a (relatively) expensive compact with a high level of features and equipment or do many still equate price with size?

I think if it has a premium badge people are willing to sacrifice on size, but from Hyundai they want value - and at $34K, the value for dollar is getting stretched, even if it is jammed up with luxury features. The only vehicle I think that makes this look 'affordable' is the Tiguan, for which you'll pay almost $40K for the loaded trim, but you're also getting that brilliant 2.0T engine.

[safristi]

Is the Sportage a Hyundai crossov'r with a TUX ON...these iterations are beginning to grate on my nerves.................

[dirtyjeffer]

I think if it has a premium badge people are willing to sacrifice on size, but from Hyundai they want value - and at $34K, the value for dollar is getting stretched, even if it is jammed up with luxury features. The only vehicle I think that makes this look 'affordable' is the Tiguan, for which you'll pay almost $40K for the loaded trim, but you're also getting that brilliant 2.0T engine.

..."almost $40k for a loaded Tiguan"?...a loaded VW Tiguan is $44,280.

i agree that $34k seems a little on the "high end" in terms of pricing for a compact CUV, but that's how much they cost, and this is still a great deal, when you compare other "fully loaded trims" in various competing brands and total cost, especially when financed over 5-6 years

take that loaded Tiguan and the Tuscon, $0 down and payments over 60 or 72 months...these figures are directly from the Hyundai and VW websites, so it features the pricing and rates currently available for these two vehicles:

Tuscon - 72 months - $602.19 tax in (1.9% financing) = $43,357.68
Tiguan - 72 months - $881.24 tax in (8.1% financing) = $63,449.28

Tuscon - 60 months - $680.62 tax in (0% financing) = $40,837.20
Tiguan - 60 months - $898.89 tax in (2.9% financing) = $53,933.40

is the Tiguan better??...maybe...is it $13k-20k better??...no way.

because the VW has a poor interest rate for the 72 month term, most people will do the 60 months payment...you can get the Tuscon, which is a very good vehicle, with all the options, a better warranty, and likely lower maintenance and running costs (doesn't need Premium fuel, etc) for $218.27 LESS EVERY MONTH for 5 years...that is a substantial amount of money...many people don't look at the total cost of the car when comparing...saying something like "you can get a loaded Tiguan for almost $40k" makes it sound like it is only $3k-$4k more at most, but that couldn't be any more wrong.

[EV Dan]

I agree if it came with the 2.0 turbo it'd be an amazing deal. But even as it it is it's $100 a month less than a similarly equipped Rav4 I4 4wd with leather and nav.

[northalberta]

I was just in my friend's 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. It's -30 here in northern Alberta and it seems that the door seals are deforming and cracking. The rubber seals are shrinking and falling out of place in both the passenger side front and rear. The cloth seat fabrics are wrinkling and seem like they were not stitched properly. I sat in one of these and can see the leather seats in this model were not put together well. For that kind of money i would recommend another brand, or maybe its just the ones i've seen.

[dirtyjeffer]

I was just in my friend's 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. It's -30 here in northern Alberta and it seems that the door seals are deforming and cracking. The rubber seals are shrinking and falling out of place in both the passenger side front and rear. The cloth seat fabrics are wrinkling and seem like they were not stitched properly. I sat in one of these and can see the leather seats in this model were not put together well. For that kind of money i would recommend another brand, or maybe its just the ones i've seen.

i have a few friends with Hyundai vehicles and none have reported such issues...in fact, their praise of them is what originally lead me to have a peak at them.

[DKaz]

South Ontarian winters don't compare to Albertan winters.

[safristi]

  Of course they DO.........................One is PUMPING gas into the "system" the other is making a GREAT SUCKIN'SOUND............. ......even @ 113 a Litre...wots that a bottle of beer?

[aaronk]

Just went to Hyundai Canada build & price, it's pretty basic but the "Tucson L 5-speed" at $20K is a bargain! Sure it doesn't have nearly the goodies of this loaded model, but it's almost the price of a second Tucson cheaper...

[Jaeger]

Never fails - test the fully loaded version of any car and people wig out over the price.  Nobody is forcing anyone to go for the top model, but if you want every available bell and every possible whistle, it's going to cost you.  This is true of pretty much any car.  Checked out the price of a loaded Cruze lately?

Jaeger

[dirtyjeffer]

South Ontarian winters don't compare to Albertan winters.

while overall, they aren't as cold, they are still somewhat comprable...we have plenty of times where it is -20C to -30C throughout the winter...as well, we have all kinds of freezing rain and salt to deal with, which isn't used in Alberta...if anything, the vast temperature changes and crappier conditions are likely harder on a vehicle.

[CanuckG35]

Never fails - test the fully loaded version of any car and people wig out over the price.  Nobody is forcing anyone to go for the top model, but if you want every available bell and every possible whistle, it's going to cost you.  This is true of pretty much any car.  Checked out the price of a loaded Cruze lately?

Jaeger

Completely agree.  Price out another fully loaded compact SUV on the market and see what the price comes to.