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

Description: Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: Not Yet Available
Invoice Price Range: Not Yet Available
Where built: Not Yet Available

Give credit to Hyundai, the largest automaker in South Korea, for curvy car styles, an alluring price strategy and generous warranty coverage. All of these points are apparent in Hyundai's latest product, a new small-class sport-utility vehicle. Hyundai calls it the Tucson.

Riding on the platform of a car, Tucson presents a shapely sheetmetal package and a flexible passenger compartment with seats for five 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.

Tucson also brings four-cylinder and V6 powertrain options distributed across three levels of trim -- base GL, upgraded GLS and deluxe LX. The wagon supports two traction formats for both engines and every trim with front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) grip.

The optional AWD system by Borg-Warner normally directs all power to the front wheels. When front wheels slip, however, the device can divert some of the power to run the rear wheels. A driver-activated locking switch for the center differential fixes the torque split evenly at 50/50 front-to-rear for tackling slippery dirt trails.

Hyundai also laces all versions of Tucson with extensive standard safety features, including anti-lock brakes, a traction controller and eight air bags.

Tucson marks the second SUV in Hyundai's line, following the compact-class Santa Fe.