This week, I bring you the 2024 Hyundai Tucson, a crossover with bold looks and a tech'd-out interior that was redesigned in 2022.
My test vehicle wears an absolutely gorgeous Deep Sea blue hue and rides on 19-inch alloy wheels. The look is super sharp. The dark chrome accent grille is flanked by LED headlights and daytime running lights. Heated outside side mirrors feature chrome accents. The Limited also features chrome upper door window molding, gloss black B&C pillars, silver-painted front and rear lower fascias and black side sills. In back you find LED tail lights and an integrated rear spoiler. On top, roof side rails along with a panoramic sunroof.
The Tucson lineup offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid models but this is the gas-only version. Under the hood you find a 2.5-liter 4 cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters. The powertrain delivers 187-horses and 178 pound-feet of torque, which isn't as powerful as the HEV/PHEV models. Idle Stop/Start is standard. All-wheel drive is optional.
In the cabin, you find the upscale interior you'd expect of the top of the line Limited model. The roomy interior is a mix of soft touch and plastic materials along with satin silver and glossy black trim.
The leather-trimmed 8-way power front seats are wonderful. They're very comfortable with great cushiony seats and headrests. Plus they're also heated and ventilated in the Limited which also comes equipped with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. (For 2024 the steering wheel adds new haptic feedback to Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist.)
I'm a fan of the slim center console design with its sleek silver trim. It's clear designers spent time on ergonomics. Controls for some of the climate and other functions are within reach of your fingertips ahead of the shift-by-wire transmission. There are also large cupholders and controls for the drive modes, parking brake, auto brake hold and to turn of Idle Stop/Start.
The 60/40 split fold-down & reclining rear seats are also comfy. You lose a little bit of headroom due to stadium seating but not a lot. You'll get basic A/C vents but no digital A/C controls. Though you do get heated rear seats in the Limited. There's also a drop-down center armrest with cupholders that may be some of the smallest I've ever encountered. A very expansive panoramic sunroof lets plenty of natural light in which makes the space feel even more open.
Cargo space, including the dual level cargo floor, is impressive. You can access it via an available hands-free smart power lift gate. The cargo area is also where you'll find a remote release to fold down the 2nd-row seats.
Other standard Limited features include a wireless charger, ambient interior lighting, dual zone climate, rand rain sensing front wipers.
The Tucson is a very tech-forward SUV. It's equipped with two 10.25 inch screens - one for the digital cluster and another for the multimedia system. Both are bright, easy to read and display great graphics. The digital display's coolest feature is the available Blind Spot Monitor Camera view that displays when you use your turn signal.
The 10.25-inch Navigation multimedia screen with Dynamic Voice Recognition is responsive and easy to use. And I'm super impressed with the natural conversation provided by the voice system. Maps looks great as does the backup camera quality. Hyundai's multimedia system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It's also equipped with HD Radio and Bluetooth. You can also look up nearby gas station info and so cool for a weather buff like me - you can access a weather dopplar radar map! Other features include Quiet Mode and Valet Mode, but not Sounds of Nature.
The Limited is also equipped with a great-sounding 8-speaker Bose Premium Sound system.
The Tucson Limited is an easy, enjoyable crossover to drive with a smooth and quiet ride. It's also easy to maneuver. It accelerates well for its size though you'll get more power with the hybrid and plug-in models. My Limited AWD model has four different drive modes: Normal, Sport, Smart and Snow. Sport Mode is my favorite.
Standard lineup safety features include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and Safe Exit Warning. New for 2024 - rear side airbags are also standard.
The Limited is also equipped with Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Reverse, Parking Distance Warning – Front & Rear, Surround View Monitor, Highway Driving Assist, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Curve Control, and Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert (Ultrasonic ROA).
The Limited is also equipped with Remote Smart Parking Assist that allows you to back in and out of a parking space remotely via the key fob.
My test vehicle has one option: carpeted floor mats. There's no MSRP on the official vehicle Monroney but according to Hyundai's website the Tucson Limited starts from $36,510.
The 2024 Tucson Limited is an enjoyable SUV with a comfortable, premium-styled cabin design that's entered on technology and ergonomics. I'd recommend going for the hybrid variant to get a horsepower boost, though it comes with a price boost too.
Warranty: 5-year/60,000-mile New Vehicle Warranty, 10-year/10,000-mile New Powertrain Warranty, 7-year/Unlimited Mile Unlimited Anti-Perforation Warranty, 3-year/36,000-mile Complimentary Maintenance/5-year/Unlimited Miles Roadside Assistance
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