Cars Gallery: May 2011

Hyundai Tucson 2011

The 2011 Hyundai Tucson is a shapely rival for the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. It hails from the only automaker that’s thrived during the recession. Hyundai and its partner division, Kia, enjoyed double-digit sales increases while nearly every rival declined or merely held steady. In bit of gamesmanship, the South Korean carmaker introduced this second-generation Tucson as an all-new 2010 model in December 2009. The 2011 Tucson follows quickly and even adds a new entry-level GL model equipped with a smaller and more affordable 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

hyundai tucson 2011

hyundai tucson 2011 Mechanical:
The biggest change for 2011 Hyundai Tucson is introduction of the GL trim level with its “Theta II” engine. This 2.0-liter four-cylinder is rated at 165 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. The 2011 Tucson GLS and Limited continue with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder rated at 176 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque. (Think of torque as the force that gets you moving and horsepower as the energy that sustains momentum). A six-speed automatic transmission is standard on the GLS and Limited and optional on the GL in place of a five-speed manual. The six-speed automatic has a separate gate for its floor shifter that allows manual-type gear control.
Notably, this most affordable version of the 2011 Tucson -- the GL with a five-speed manual transmission -- is the least fuel efficient, at 20/27 mpg city/highway. Order the GL with the six-speed automatic transmission, and it merits the highest fuel-economy ratings in the 2011 Tucson lineup at 23/31 mpg city/highway.

hyundai tucson 2011

hyundai tucson 2011 Features:
With the 2011 Tucson GL added at a lower price point, Hyundai moves the 2011 Tucson GLS up a notch with added features. New standard equipment includes a telescopic steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, driver power window with auto up/down, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, privacy glass, roof side rails, illuminated vanity mirrors and glove compartment and steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls. Heated seats are now standard on all-wheel-drive models.
This five-passenger crossover comes with torso-protecting front-seat side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags for both seating rows. The curtain bags are designed to deploy in side collisions and when onboard sensors detect an impending rollover. Power windows and locks, tilt steering wheel, fold-away mirrors, and remote keyless entry with alarm are standard on every 2011 Tucson
hyundai tucson 2011Pricing:
Value pricing is a Hyundai hallmark and the 2011 Hyundai Tucson still begins below $20,000 for the GL model with a five-speed manual transmission. That keeps the 2011 Tucson among the lowest-priced crossovers in the compact class. (All base prices in this review include the manufacturer’s mandated destination fee; Hyundai’s fee for the 2011 Tucson is $795.)
Base price for the 2011 Tucson GL is $19,540 with the manual transmission and $20,540 with the automatic. The 2011 Tucson GLS has a base price of $22,640 for the front-drive model and $24,290 with all-wheel drive.
The 2011 Hyundai Tucson Limited begins at $25,490 with front-wheel drive and at $26,990 for the AWD version. Adding the Premium Package to the Limited AWD (it includes the panoramic sunroof, navigation, rearview camera and premium audio), Tucson pricing tops out at $29,840, keeping this Hyundai below the $30,000 mark with all the trimmings.

hyundai tucson 2011