The 2010 crossover sport-utility vehicle (SUV) sweepstakes in the Philippines actually started late last year, in December to be precise, when Hyundai Motors’ distributor in the country officially introduced the second-generation, 2010-model year Hyundai Tucson to what I presume was an appreciative audience of company executives, press representatives, and other important guests.
The Hyundai Tucson was first launched in 2006 and, like its competitors, is based on a car platform, in this case that of Hyundai’s Elantra. It was the Korean company’s first time to venture in the crossover SUV market. In 2009 the second-generation Tucson was introduced. The fruit of the company’s German design studio, this significantly revamped vehicle now embodies what the Korean automaker calls “fluidic sculpture” in its styling. If you ask me, what this has achieved is to make this SUV look even more closely like its Japanese cousins.
On to the pictures of the 2010 Hyundai Tucson then!
As sold in the Philippines, the 2010 Hyundai Tucson only comes with one powerplant choice: the Theta-II four-cylinder, 16-valve, double overhead cam 2.0-liter gasoline engine (actual displacement: 1,998 cc.) with dual variable valve timing. It has a maximum power output of 166 ps., or about 163.73 hp., at 6,200 rpm. On the other hand, the Tucson sales brochure I have in my hand right now also mentions a vehicle equipped with a Theta-II motor but one with a bigger displacement, 2.4 liters to be exact (actual displacement: 2,359 cc.), producing 177 ps., or about 174.58 hp., at 6,000 rpm., but it looks like this particular variant will not be sold here, at least for the time being.
For comparison’s sake, the engine that propels the 2.0-liter version of the Honda CR-V produces 150 ps,, or 147.95 hp., at 6,200 rpm.
A diesel-fed version of the Tucson may be sold in this country some time in the second quarter of the year.
Here is a panoramic view of what the driver’s and front passenger’s positions of the 2010 Hyundai Tucson looks like.
I might as well add that the Tucson is sold in this country with two trim levels: the base GL and the premium GLS.
The 2010 Hyundai Tucson comes with either a five-speed manual transmission or an all-new six-speed gate-type “H-MATIC” automatic gearbox. As for the drivetrain, it comes in either 4X2 or full-time 4X4, or so what the Hyundai salesman told me.
Now here is a view of the driver’s position of the 2010 Hyundai Tucson. The parking brake is foot-actuated, a method I first encountered on Mercedes-Benzes.
The Tucson comes equipped with the usual safety systems built in. You get airbags on the GL and GLS, but an anti-lock braking system is only standard on the GLS platform, as well as electronic brake-force distribution system and what the brochure calls an “electronic stability program.”
Note the asymmetrically-shaped conical cowls that shield the gauges of the 2010 Hyundai Tucson from bright sunlight, including one instrument that calculates this SUV’s instant fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, distance to empty, trip distance, driving time, and average speed. Note too that the tachometer on the left redlines at about 6,500 rpm.
Incidentally this same design also graces the instrument cluster of the Hyundai Genesis coupe.
One innovative feature of the Tucson is what is dubbed as a safety rear-view mirror. In this case, shifting the transmission to reverse activates a camera at the back of the vehicle. The image is then transmitted to an LCD screen embedded into the rear-view mirror. This item is apparently available on the GLS variant only.
This is the 2010 Hyundai Tucson’s center console. Its six-speaker audio system supports both iPods and USB drives, as evidenced by a very visible and easy-to-reach auxilliary jack and USB port located in the shelf just below the airconditioning controls.
The rear passenger’s seats of the 2010 Hyundai Tucson. Note the speaker mounted on the rear door.
The cargo compartment of the 2010 Hyundai Tucson. The vehicle’s spare wheel and tool kit are stored under the floor boards of this SUV.
ENGINE VARIANT
- 166ps 2.0L Dual Continuous Variable Valve Timing Petrol Theta II Engine
- 4WD 177ps 2.4L Dual Continuous Variable Valve Timing Petrol Theta II Engine
STANDARD FEATURES:
- Driver Airbag (2.0L GL M/T & 2.0L GL A/T)
- Driver & Passenger Airbag (2.0L GLS)
- Driver, Front Passenger, Side & Curtain Airbag (2.4L GL 4WD A/T)
- Back Warning Sensor
- All Disc Brakes w/ *ABS (*2.0GLS 2WD & 2.4L GLS 4WD)
- 6 Speed with Sports Mode (A/T), 5 Speed (M/T)
- MacPherson Type Front Suspension
- Dual Type Air Condition Control
- Keyless Entry, Glove Box, Luggage Side Tray, Rear Center Armrest
- MP3 6 CD Changer Player (Subwoofer, Tweeter, Amp for 2.4L GLS 4WD A/T)
-Elec Heated w/ LED Type Side Repeater (2.0L GLS 2WD & 2.4L GLS 4wD A/T)
-17" Alloy Wheels (18" 2.4L GLS 4WD A/T)
PRICES:
2.0L GL 2WD 5 speed M/T -
P1,110,000
2.0L GL 2WD 6 speed A/T -
P1,160,000
2.0L GLS 2WD 6 speed A/T -
P1,280,000
2.4L GLS 4WD 6 spped A/T -
P1,580,000
2.4L GLS 4WD 6 spped A/T Premium Varaiant (Panorama Sunroof, Push Start Button, Cruise COntrol, 8-way Power Seat) -
P1,750,000
AVAILABLE COLORS:
- Vanilla White
- Sleek Silver
- Gray Titanium
- Phantom Black
- Silky Bronze
- For inquirires, test drive, bank financing, or straight cash transaction text/call
MARK RYAN at
0933-4059051 (Sun Mobile).
The All New 2010 Hyundai Tucson Review
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