New, Bigger Hyundai Tucson Debuts in New York

The third-generation Hyundai Tucson makes its U.S. auto show debut today in New York.

On sale in July, the new Tucson, which had its global coming out at last month’s Geneva Motor Show, is key to Hyundai growing sales and market share in the U.S.

“Tucson, Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport represent about 25% of our volume, and that’s second-lowest (CUV mix) in the industry next to Volkswagen,” Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai Motor America CEO, told WardsAuto in January of the brand’s small portion of CUV sales in the U.S.

It’s a situation he and other Hyundai officials blame on lack of inventory, but the current Tucson is smaller than many of its CUV competitors, which started as compact CUVs but now lean closer to midsize proportions.

For instance, the ’15 Tucson is 173.2 ins. (4,399 mm) long. The best-selling small-midsize CUV in the U.S., the Honda CR-V, measures 178.3 ins. (4,529 mm) in overall length.

The new Tucson still is shorter than the CR-V but grows 3 ins. (77 mm) in length from ’15, and has a 1-in. (25-mm) longer wheelbase. Cargo room jumps 5 cu.-ft. (2.3 cu.-m) from the outgoing ’15 model.

The engine for the base Tucson SE grade continues to be Hyundai’s Nu 2.0L direct-injected 4-cyl., making 164 hp and 151 lb.-ft. (205 Nm) of torque, the same specifications as in ’15 2.0L models, mated to Hyundai’s 6-speed automatic transmission.

The upgrade engine for the Tucson now is Hyundai’s Gamma 1.6L turbocharged DI 4-cyl. from the Veloster and Sonata Sport, making 175 hp, a downgrade of 7 hp from the current Tucson’s 2.4L naturally aspirated DI 4-cyl. However, torque rises to 195 lb.-ft. (264 Nm) from 177 lb.-ft. (240 Nm) in the 2.4L model.

The 1.6L hits peak torque as low as 1,500 rpm, Hyundai says, and holds it through 4,500 rpm.

The turbocharger has an electronic wastegate control, to more precisely control manifold pressure, and the Gamma engine has a new water jacket insert. The latter automatically prioritizes cooling in the upper level of the cylinder block, allowing for leaner air/fuel mixtures, Hyundai says.

A new transmission is introduced with the Tucson, a 7-speed dual-clutch unit, which Hyundai touts as able to handle “more torque with minimal power interruption throughout the powertrain operating range” than competitors’ continuously variable transmissions.

Hyundai estimates the 1.6L results in a 5-mpg (2.1-km/L) improvement in combined fuel economy in the Eco front-wheel-drive grade of the ’16 Tucson, and a 3-mpg (1.3-km/L) gain in Sport and Limited FWD grades, vs. the former Tucson 2.4L engine.

Tucson: Stiffer Body, More Aerodynamic

The new CUV will offer an all-wheel-drive system co-developed with Magna Powertrain and which allows a differential torque split between front and rear wheels, as well as has Active Cornering Control, Hillstart Assist and Downhill Brake Control.

Hyundai says the new Tucson has a stiffer body than previously, thanks to increased use of advanced high-strength steel (50%-plus content in the chassis vs. 18% previously) and tailor-welded blanks, which combine different thicknesses of steel with laser welding and stamping to achieve an optimal stiffness-to-weight ratio, limit body weight and enhance crash-energy management.

Noise, vibration and harshness is limited through larger engine mounts, bushing-mounted rear crossmembers, redesigned door-latch mechanisms and greater use of sound insulation in the inner fenders, underbody, transmission tunnel and instrument panel.

Hyundai says it is using a world’s-first shock-absorber mounting structure, with a dual-reinforcing rear wheelhouse design. This “optimizes panels that are prone to vibration, resulting in a 109% increase in rigidity, reduced road noise levels and ride and handling improvements.”

Underbody panels, a redesigned A-pillar and a rear spoiler side garnish help cut the Tucson’s coefficient of drag by 0.02 to 0.33.

Hyundai uses the buzzwords sculpted, sporty and bold to describe the ’16 Tucson’s exterior. The CUV wears a hexagonal-shaped grille and has available LED twin-projector headlights and 19-in. wheels with asymmetrical spokes.

Z-shaped character lines and twin, bevel-cut chrome exhaust tips decorate the rear of the vehicle.

Hyundai calls the instrument panel “extra-wide” and says a leather-wrapped IP will be available. Soft-touch materials and refined switchgear are other updates to the CUV’s interior.

The Korean automaker says segment-first ventilated front seats will be available. Also optional are heated rear seats, navigation and the next-generation of Hyundai’s BlueLink telematics system, with many of its features controllable via the latest Android Wear smartwatches.

To comply with ’16 model-year regulations in the U.S., the Tucson has a rearview camera as standard, while a slew of advanced safety equipment is available, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

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