Judging from the recent launches across a number of brands (and price points), the automobile market is making a major play in the crossover/SUV segment.
More category entrants mean competition is heating up among brands wanting to take a bigger slice of the pie, but that spells good news for browsers looking for an appropriate ute for their budget. It’s all about providing choices and, ultimately, power to the buyers.
Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) is purveying once more its “classic” SUV, the Tucson, we look at five strengths that distinguish it from competitors.
Looks.
Sporting the so-called Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design philosophy (which supplanted the earlier “Fluidic Design,”) the Tucson is headlined by the now-iconic hexagonal front grille and “sleek lines” that serve to accentuate the vehicle’s heft. The design ethos emphasizes organic shapes and flowing lines, and shuns sharp angles.
Diesel power plant.
Modern diesel engines have, by and large, been able to shake off the stigma of yore. They don’t emit foul plumes of smoke or generate a racket when running. Hyundai gives the Tucson such a contemporary motivator: A powerful yet frugal 2.0-liter CRDi engine, mated to an eight-speed AT promising dynamic, responsive control. It delivers a stout 185ps and 402Nm that rivals output of some seven-seater SUVs.
Tough frame.
Hyundai likes to point out a real-world demonstration of the Tucson’s toughness. In May last year, a four-ton boulder hit a passing Tucson in Hualien, Taiwan. Although the windshield, fender, hood, and front pillar of the vehicle were damaged, its frame – made of 51 percent Advanced High-Strength Steel (AHSS) – was intact, keeping the couple inside safe. Despite its toughness, AHSS is light, helping to promote fuel efficiency while being twice as rigid as regular steel.
Safety features.
Parking is made easier and more convenient with a reverse camera, whose feed appears on the infotainment system screen. The Tuscon also has dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, downhill brake control, hill-start assist control, smart key system with immobilizer.
Comfort.
Hyundai says that “knee, head, and legroom are more than enough for five passengers to have a comfortable ride, while its wide and spacious cargo area offers lots of storage space.” This makes it a proper five-seater, not a forced seven-seater. Hyundai also throws in a five-year unlimited mileage warranty coverage for extended worry-free ownership experience.
For more information, check out www.hyundai.ph/cars/tucson or the Hyundai Philippines Facebook. Interested buyers may also request for a quote or apply for an auto loan at the Hyundai Online Market Experience (HOME) Page www.hyundai.ph/shop/HOME.