Hyundai tweaks Tucson

HYUNDAI Australia has specified electronic stability control across its full Tucson compact SUV range for the 2009 model year, while reducing prices by $500.

Previously, the three SX models in the Tucson range came only with traction control while the upper-spec Elite two-wheel drive model came with ESP.

Prices of all models in the range have dropped by $500 and they all come with various other extra features and equipment, including Bluetooth audio.

This enables wireless streaming of music directly from compatible mobile phones or music players as well as phone calls. In addition, the system includes a phone book that stores up to 78 numbers and names, and provides integrated USB and auxiliary sockets so that music can be played from an iPod or memory stick.

Tucson sales increased by 37.2 per cent in 2007 and in the first half of this year they have raced further ahead, increasing by another 57.9 per cent and exceeding 1000 units in June.

Hyundai Australia therefore hopes that the latest moves will continue that growth curve, claiming the lower prices and extra equipment “ensure that Tucson retains its position as Australia’s best value compact SUV”.

The Tucson range kicks off with the 2.0-litre petrol 2WD City SX five-speed manual at $25,490 and tops out at $31,490 for the only four-wheel drive model in the range, the 2.7-litre V6 petrol-engined SX auto.

In between is the four-cylinder City Elite, which is more highly equipped than the SX and comes with a standard four-speed automatic transmission.

Each of the facelifted 2009 models feature a revised grille with a thicker and slightly V-shaped horizontal bar, orange indicators in the lower part of the headlights, a revised rear tailgate garnish and a darker charcoal black interior colour.

There are also “all-new” 16-inch alloy wheels that look similar to the previous five-spoke designs.

Available now, Tucson City SX variants come with a full-size spare alloy wheel, ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, dual front airbags, foglights, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, and roof rails.

New for 2009 is a trip computer and automatic headlights in the base model, in addition to the ESP and Bluetooth compatibility.

The upper-spec Elite model, due in showrooms by early September, gains full leather upholstery for 2009, replacing the previous ‘moquette’ and leather combination. Over the City SX, the Elite has front side airbags as well as front and rear curtain airbags, an extra couple of speakers and an electric glass sunroof.

Hyundai has also introduced a new safety pack for the City SX and SX V6 models called ‘Protectz’, which is priced at $700 and includes the driver and front passenger side (thorax) SRS airbags and front and rear passenger side curtain airbags that come standard in the Elite.

As well as the new charcoal black interior, four new exterior colours are available for the 2009 Tucson range – Sleek Silver, Iron Blue, Silver Grey and Dark Bronze – all of which are metallic and therefore cost an extra $320.

All of the four-cylinder models come with the same 2.0-litre petrol engine that develops 104kW of power at 6000rpm and 184Nm of torque at 4500rpm, returning fuel consumption figures of 8.0L/100km with the five-speed manual (only available in the City SX) and 9.2L/100km with the four-speed automatic (that is a $2000 option for the City SX but standard in the Elite and SX V6).

The 2.7-litre V6 fitted to the all-wheel drive SX V6 delivers 129kW at 6000rpm and 241Nm at 4000rpm, with consumption rated at 10.9L/100km for the auto-only model.

The Tucson SX V6, due on sal ein September, is distinguished from the four-cylinder model by its different wheel design, twin chrome exhaust outlets and body-coloured protective cladding on the lower part of the doors and wheel-arches.

2009 Tucson pricing:
City SX 2.0 petrol 2WD	$25,490
SX 2.0 petrol 2WD (a)	$27,490
City Elite 2.0 petrol 2WD (a)	$30,490
SX V6 2.7 petrol AWD (a)	$31,490

2009 Tucson options:
Protectz pack (SX and SX V6 variants)	$700
Metallic paint	$320