Wilson Hyundai

What's New for 2011

After a redesign last year, the 2011 Hyundai Tucson adds a new, more affordable GL trim level with a smaller 2.0-liter engine. Among the other trim levels, only a few changes in available features have been made.

The 2011 Hyundai Tucson is a five-passenger compact crossover SUV that is offered in three trim levels: GL, GLS and Limited.

The GL comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels, a hill-holder feature, hill-descent control, a trip computer, air-conditioning, full power accessories, keyless entry, a tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat and a six-speaker stereo with CD player, satellite radio, auxiliary audio jack and a USB port.

The GLS adds 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels, roof rails, heated side mirrors, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, leatherette vinyl door trim and seat inserts, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and Bluetooth. All-wheel-drive GLS models also get heated front seats. An optional Navigation package adds a touchscreen navigation system, a rearview camera, an upgraded audio system with a subwoofer, and automatic headlights.

The Limited trim goes the extra mile by adding 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels, outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, automatic headlights, foglights, upgraded suspension, front wiper de-icer, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver seat with lumbar adjustments, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview

Powertrains and Performance

The 2011 Hyundai Tucson GL comes standard with a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine that produces 165 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. The GL comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission and a six-speed automatic is available. Only front-wheel drive is available for the GL.

Stepping up to the GLS and Limited models will get you a 2.4-liter inline-4 that makes 176 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. In California-emissions states, this engine receives partial zero-emissions-vehicle (PZEV) status and produces 170 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is the only transmission offered, but buyers can choose between front- and all-wheel drive.

EPA-estimated fuel economy for the GL with a manual transmission is 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. The automatic improves these figures to 23/31/26 mpg. The front-wheel-drive GLS and Limited models are expected to get 22 city/31 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined, while AWD models make slightly less at 21/28/23 mpg.

In a recent Edmunds test of an AWD 2011 Hyundai Tucson GLS, we found its acceleration to be just about average among other compact crossovers, with our test vehicle requiring 9.6 seconds to reach 60 mph.

Safety

Standard safety equipment for the 2011 Hyundai Tucson includes antilock disc brakes (with brake assist), stability and traction control, active front headrests, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, hill holder and hill descent control.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named the Tucson one of its Top Safety Picks, awarding this Hyundai its top rating -- "Good" -- for frontal offset and side impact protection as well as roof strength tests. In Edmunds brake tests, the Tucson comes to a stop from 60 mph in 123 feet, which is about average among crossover SUVs.

Interior Design and Special Features

Unlike many of the humdrum interiors found in other crossover SUVs, the 2011 Hyundai Tucson offers a contoured twin-cowl dash that's available in two-tone color schemes. It's quite a bit more appealing than the plain, truck-style treatments seen in the competition, and more functional to boot. The controls are simple and within easy reach, including those for the optional touchscreen navigation system.

The Tucson provides a comfortable driving position for drivers of almost any size. We suggest opting for the GLS trim, though, as it includes a telescoping steering wheel along with other welcome items like Bluetooth, audio controls mounted on the steering wheel and high-quality leatherette/cloth upholstery.

source: Edmunds