If you feel like you've already seen the 2010 Tucson already, you aren't that far off. Hyundai's popular Euro-market ix35 crossover lends a lot of its styling and shape to the American-spec Tucson -- but that's not a bad thing. The previous-generation Tucson, while trusty and capable, looked rather odd and never really separated itself from the more popular Kia Sportage that it shared (everything) with. This all changes for 2010, though. The new Tucson is more powerful, more economical, and much more appealing on the eyes. Sure, the Chai Bronze might not be the most striking color in photos, but trust us when we say that it looks worlds better in person.
Like the last Tucson, both front- and all-wheel-drive versions will be available, but this time around, no six-cylinder engine will be offered. On top of that, the mid-grade SE trim has been ditched, leaving only GLS and Limited models. All Tucsons are powered by a 2.4-liter inline-four, good for 176 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque. Limited models come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, while GLS models are outfitted with a six-gear manual box (the auto is optional).
Curiously, Hyundai is not offering its new 2.4-liter direct-injection four in the Tucson, but we wouldn't be surprised if that mill makes its way under the Tucson's hood in future years. Hyundai has, however, confirmed that a "Blue" Tucson will come out later next year, using a 2.0-liter engine trumpeting high fuel-efficiency. Even so, the standard 2.4 allows the Tucson to achieve up to 31 miles per gallon on the highway (23 in the city), which bests the numbers of the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, and Ford Escape (non-hybrid). We're willing to bet that the Tucson will be quite fun to drive, mostly thanks to its Euro-influenced suspension geometry. Eighteen-inch wheels and a longer, wider body will surely give it a more planted feeling on the road, as well.
As for the cabin, there's a lot of good stuff in here. Much like the 2011 Sonata, high-quality materials and a very sleek design are present inside the Tucson, as are new features like a premium sunroof, navigation with XM data packages, a rear-view camera, and optional heated, leather seats.
The 2010 Tucson will hit U.S. showrooms near the end of 2009, and we'd expect pricing to be around the $18,000 mark, just like the outgoing model. Scroll down to read the full press release and specifications.
