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2017 Hyundai Tucson Road Test and Review

Charles Krome
by Charles Krome
November 21, 2016
4 min. Reading Time
2017 Hyundai Tucson ・  Photo by Hyundai

2017 Hyundai Tucson ・ Photo by Hyundai

The 2017 Hyundai Tucson Limited is a small two-row crossover that comes to dealerships with a sophisticated, turbocharged powertrain and serious momentum from the 2016 Tucson lineup—which was all new that model year. This latest generation is noticeably more premium than the last, and for 2017 Hyundai is bringing out more upscale infotainment technologies, including smartphone integration. The Tuscon’s cabin also has been fine-tuned for increased comfort and convenience. Although the Tucson Limited is sporty, it has a strong focus on occupant satisfaction, thanks to a relatively roomy cabin that also offers numerous benefits for cargo carrying.

Pricing

The 2017 Hyundai Tucson Limited is the range-topping model and has an MSRP of $29,775. That’s a hefty $7075 higher than for the entry-level Tucson, yet thousands less expensive than the highest grades for rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Nor is the Tucson Limited short of luxuries at that price. From its LED headlights to its handsfree rear liftgate to its keyless-entry system, the Tucson Limited knows how to take care of its customers with the kind of premium cues they expect at this price point—and some they might not. For example, Hyundai designers even provide a stitched, soft-touch surface to protect the driver’s right knee “for better comfort during long commutes or spirited cornering."

 Photo by Hyundai

Photo by Hyundai

Exterior Design and Lighting

An imposing front-end treatment sets the tone for the exterior design of the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Limited, complete with a near-vertical chrome grille and aggressive lower intake. Chromed door handles complement the look, as does a sparkling array of LED illumination. The Tucson Limited has LED daytime running lights, taillights and headlights, plus separate LED headlight-accent lights. The fog lights are ensconced in intricately designed, split pockets. Standard 19-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler add further visual appeal.

Shoppers should be aware that the Tucson’s 176.2-inch length splits the difference between many mainstream subcompact crossovers and the compacts. At Honda, for instance, the subcompact HR-V is about 170 inches long, while the compact CR-V is roughly 180.

 Photo by Hyundai

Photo by Hyundai

Efficient Turbo Powertrain

A turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine endows the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Limited with 175 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque, and that power is managed by an advanced 7-speed EcoShift automatic transmission. The first dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in the segment, this gearbox is more durable than the continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) used by some rivals, according to Hyundai. Additionally, its response during acceleration feels more conventional. Also worth noting: Despite being much more powerful than the standard Tucson engine, the Limited’s turbo is a bit more efficient as well, with EPA ratings of 25 MPG city/30 MPG highway/27 MPG combined with front-wheel drive. The entry Tucson engine, a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter, is rated at 23/30/26, while the all-wheel-drive turbo model has these EPA numbers: 24/28/25.

 Photo by Hyundai

Photo by Hyundai

Interior Design and Capacities

Given the nimble exterior dimensions of the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Limited, the cabin is fairly roomy. In fact, there’s more rear legroom than in a longer Ford Escape, and just a tenth of an inch less than in a Honda CR-V. Moreover, the Tucson’s 60/40 split rear seats make room for up to 61.9 cubic feet of storage space when folded, and there’re 31 cubic feet of cargo space in play even with those seats in use. Console-mounted rear climate vents are newly standard above the SE trim. A leather-appointed cabin, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, is standard for the Limited grade, as are premium door sills and heated front seats; the driver enjoys eight-way power adjustability, along with a model-specific instrument panel and dashboard.

 Photo by Hyundai

Photo by Hyundai

Infotainment and Audio Technologies

This is a high point for the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Limited.  Hyundai serves up some impressive standard equipment for owners who like to stay connected. Nunber 1, of course, is smartphone integration, and the Tucson supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. An 8-inch touchscreen makes either easy to use, then enables sharp graphics for the also-standard navigation system. Hyundai also caters to audio lovers in the Tucson Limited: Among the standard apps integrated within the Tucson’s infotainment setup is one for Pandora Internet radio, and the vehicle’s “radio” itself is a 315-watt system from Infinity that leverages Clari-Fi music restoration technology for crystal-clear sound reproduction.

 Photo by Hyundai

Photo by Hyundai

Safety Ratings and Technology

The 2017 Hyundai Tucson Limited has yet to be tested by the IIHS for Top Safety Pick+ honors. However, the 2016 model was, and it had the highest possible scores in all facets of testing—including front crash-prevention technology. The 2017 Tucson has been evaluated by NHTSA, earning a 5-Star Overall Safety Score and recognition for offering three “Recommended Technologies”: a rearview camera system, forward collision warning and lane-departure warning. The Tucson Limited comes standard with blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. Folks also can gain confidence from knowing the Tucson’s automatic emergency braking system was specifically engineered with pedestrian-detection capability. Lastly, the Tucson Limited welcomes a standard Blue Link telematics setup with a one-year complimentary Connect Care package, for automatic crash notification, enhanced roadside assistance, and emergency assistance.

 Photo by Hyundai

Photo by Hyundai

Available Equipment

Yes, the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Limited is a well-equipped choice if you’re shopping for a small crossover. But if you really want to take advantage of Hyundai’s premium content portfolio, you may want to consider the Ultimate package. For $2750, this bundle showcases a power-opening panoramic sunroof that’s long enough to benefit both rows of seating. Also included are the lane-departure and automatic braking technologies, plus rear parking sensors and high-intensity discharge headlights with Hyundai’s Dynamic Bending Light System. With that technology, the headlights are turned in synch with the steering wheel for a better view of the road in turns. An electroluminescent gauge cluster upgrades the cabin, which also adds ventilation to its heated front seats and heating to its rear seats.

 Photo by Hyundai

Photo by Hyundai

Other Cool Information

If the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Limited whets your appetite but you want to stand out a bit further from the crowd, a new Tuscon Night edition will brighten dealership doors with custom-style design upgrades. Fresh from its debut at the SEMA Show—one of the world’s top gathering for the aftermarket industry—the Night model makes an impact with 19-inch RAYS alloy wheels with a black finish, black lug nuts, a branded center cap, red valve-stem caps and four available exterior finishes: Black Noir Pearl, Caribbean Blue, Coliseum Gray, and Dazzling White. Next, gloss-black caps accent the outside mirrors, and for this edition, the vehicle’s panoramic sunroof relies on a dark, black-tinted glass. In the cockpit, aluminum-alloy sport pedals and a steering wheel wrapped in perforated leather are among the fresh details.

 Photo by Hyundai

Photo by Hyundai

Final Thoughts

The Hyundai brand rose to popularity in this country thanks primarily to its high-value car lineup, yet it’s clear from the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Limited that the company can appeal to crossover customers, too. The Tucson’s bold design is backed by robust levels of driver assistance and infotainment technology, and its premium touches, like the vehicle’s hands-free liftgate, climate controlled front seats and panoramic sunroof, aren’t often found in this segment. Shoppers do have to remember that the Tucson fits in between most other mainstream subcompact and compact crossovers in size and pricing. Throw in what Hyundai's excellent warranty, and the Tucson is guaranteed to satisfy a significant percentage of today’s SUV shoppers.

 Photo by Hyundai

Photo by Hyundai


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