New Car Overview of the 2006 Hyundai Tuscon Small Sport Utility Vehicle

Description: Small Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: $17,495 - $23,195
Invoice Price Range: $16,446 - $21,734
Where built: South Korea

The small-class SUV from Hyundai -- riding on the platform of a car and rigged with commendable standard safety features including ESC with TCS -- presents a shapely sheetmetal package and a flexible passenger compartment with seats for five riders plus room in the rear for gear. The back bay has an easy-to-clean composite floor and multiple tie-down points to secure a load of cargo. Standard items for Tucson include air conditioning, power windows and a keyless entry system.

Tucson also brings four-cylinder and V6 powertrain options distributed across three levels of trim -- base GL, upgraded GLS and new deluxe Limited. The SUV also supports two traction formats with FWD or AWD. Tucson GL employs Hyundai's 2.0-liter four-in-line with CVVT. It produces 140 hp and ties to a five-speed manual or optional four-speed Shiftronic automatic. Tucson GLS and top-trim Limited rate Hyundai's 2.7-liter V6 for 173 hp.

Hyundai, largest car company in South Korea, invests in North America with its new Alabama assembly plant, a technology and engineering center in Michigan, research and design studios in California plus a test track in the Mojave Desert. As a result, many of the vehicles in Hyundai's extensive lineup for 2006 skew directly toward the American market -- such as Sonata, a mid-size sedan with V6 power that comes together at the Alabama plant. Azera pops up as Hyundai's elegant new flagship sedan for the USA, and Accent, smallest car in Hyundai's fleet, rolls out in a new design with segment-leading standard safety systems aboard.