Convince me that the 2017 Hyundai Tucson is good

"No, I don't thank you for the fish at all" (notindetroit) 10/16/2016 at 11:49 • Filed to: None

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Image stolen from Forbes

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Every auto pub out there from Car & Driver to right here in Jalopnik have little respect for it or the Hyundai brand in general. Currently I’ve been driving around in Olivia, a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe that I love-hate as much as the actual woman she’s named after. Though lately with the car getting as old as it is it’s been more hate than love, but well...

1.) I hate the idea of giving up Olivia. Maybe I have too much attachment to the car or the woman she’s named after but while it’s far from the perfect car it’s a car I know and it’s hard to complain about the 250 HP even being an old midsize CUV.

2.) I especially the hate the idea of trading it in for another damn Hyundai product but it looks like it’s going to be the Tucson.

Needless to say I much rather have the “Jalopnik CUV special” CX-5. Of the two even remote possibilities I’m stuck with it and the Tucson are admittedly the best looking choices out there (in fact you pretty much have to upgrade to a performance luxury brand to find better-looking). The CX-5 rides and drives much more engagingly, a vast improvement over the one quality of the Santa Fe I detest the most. The Tucson...goes faster if you get the Sport engine and that’s it. I’ve been told if you want to achieve the Eco-spec’s fuel economy you just hit the Eco button on the Sport, and I’ve managed to convince my dad that the 19-inch wheels are worth it because both CUVs look stupid with the smaller wheel size. I’m sorry they just do. In some aspects the Tucson actually manages to look better, although I hate the hood crease, I wish it was more subtle like on the current BMW design language and regardless if it’s a Tucson or CX-5 it’ll become the best-looking car in the family garage right now.

But whatever, it looks like it’s going to be a Tucson, so regale me with all the good qualities that CUV has. But if it were up to me we’d be waiting for the next-gen Impreza which has all the AWD we need but I have to accommodate Baby Boomer hip joints so CUV it is.

Also feel free to school me on how creepy it is to name the family car after an old girlfriend and how I need to get over it. Guh .

gmctavish needs more space > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 12:01

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But, if you like the CX-5 better, why is it looking like you’re gonna get the Tucson?

wafflesnfalafel > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 12:06

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The new Tucson is a good looking, nice sized rig - and don’t the consumer report guys love it too? (But I understand - I still have nightmares about Hyundai Excels...)

Probenja > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 12:07

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Umm... It’s a more vanilla looking Sportage, if that is a good thing or not you decide.

yamahog > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 12:14

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Is it free to you and functional? It’s good.

And if you already know the name thing is creepy and you need to get over it, not much more we need to tell you on that front.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 12:15

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Is it your money buying the car?

S65 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 12:16

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Creep

gin-san - shitpost specialist > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 12:19

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Having just recently bought a new car, while reviews give you a rough idea of what to expect it doesn’t really matter until you actually drive it. Driving feel, speed, and engagement is all so subjective that only you can determine what’s appropriate. I think, for all intents and purposes, you wouldn’t notice a big difference between a Tucson and other options if you’re just driving boring city streets for your daily commute.

Regarding the attitude towards Hyundai/Kia - I think most people are still thinking about the cars of 10+ years ago. I moved from a 2009 Hyundai, which was just before they refreshed all their models with a modern design, to a 2016 Kia and the difference is night and day. The Kia still shows some cheapness in plastics, but overall feels incredibly solid and poised compared to the tin can from 2009.

TL;DR - enthusiasts say a lot of shit, just drive some cars and buy what you like.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 12:27

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I actually worked for Hyundai for the auto shows for a couple years, they seemed very good now, the old ones were not great. However I have a CRV. I would like to find a slightly used RDX turbo, so that’s where my head is. I was surprised to see tons of Hyundai SUVs in Colorado, seems to be a popular choice for people who can’t get a Subaru etc... the Hyundai must be cheaper because why not get a Toyota or Subaru if given the choice.

Wobbles the Mind > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 13:38

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Outlander Sport...Outlander, why not a Mitsubishi? You can just about get into a top trim Outlander Sport for that price and you can get a 4WD Outlander for the same price. If it’s just for farting around in then why not?

wiffleballtony > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 14:15

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I’m sorry but buying a CUV from Hyundai is probably the most depressing choice I can think of.

DynamicWeight > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 14:38

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You’re saving up for the Impreza? Can you offer to pay the 1500 difference to get the car you want? Also, another angle is to look at depreciation. When you sell the mazda in five years I bet that 1500 will be worth it.

Cé hé sin > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 15:09

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In Tucson news, I live in a place where the best selling car every month this year has been the Tucson.

PS9 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 15:14

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Your measure of what is good and what is bad in terms of transportation is severely skewed if you have room in your life to complain about a perfectly fine NEW car you are getting for FREE . Allow me to adjust your good-bad scale a bit.

Excellent (because you are getting it for free)

Great (if you were paying for it)

Good

Average

Below Average

Bad

Worst possible option. Note that because you live in an industrialized nation with a healthy economy, this is a safe thing to do.

Now does any of that stuff feature a high strung european V12? World class handling? Record breaking 0-60 times? A high ‘ring time? Top ranking on Top Gear’s power laps? Jeremy Clarkson’s blessing? The respect of your peers and neighbors? Great reviews from the automotive press in general, with lots of words like ‘passion’ and ‘soul’ used to describe it? No to all of that. But those things are not the default . They are extras. Their absence does not make perfectly fine transportation options terrible.

Steve in Manhattan > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 15:58

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An Australian automotive writer - Cadogan is the last name, I believe - loves these things. He’s on YouTube - watch his review, then let us know what you think. And Hyundai now achieves Japanese levels of quality, as far as I can tell.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 17:40

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It kinda lol like a BMW just imagine it had a double kidney grille

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 17:51

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Because of the throttle calibration and the dual clutch on the Sport and Limited 1.6T models, they feel fairly quick. Sedona Sunset and Caribbean Blue are the only colours really worthwhile on it (Ruby Wine is oddly dull).

Get it in one of those, and enjoy a perky, efficient, roomy CUV that you’ll never lose in a parking lot again.

Deadhead493 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 19:32

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I test drove 6 cars in this category and found the cx5 to feel super cheap. I ended up with a fully loaded Tucson and love everything about it. Just wish it had driver seat memory. The panoramic roof is awesome and if you drop it in to sport mode it has enough acceleration for me. Not too concerned about handling and feels fine to me. Couldn’t recommend this car enough.

greenagain > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 22:15

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No.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 22:24

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Drove Tuscon if it was larger I would have seriously considered it.So cx5 in my near future, hurry up vw.

North Idaho Girl > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/16/2016 at 23:08

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Just handed down my 2005 Tucson with 250,000 miles. Only repairs were some module and a power steering pump. Still had origin battery.

Didn’t think twice about buying 2016 Tucson last March. Love new safety features and rides more comfortable than old 2005. Gas mileage much better with the 4 cylinder turbo versus v6. Sedona sunset rocks!

Oh, and I drive at least 64 miles daily. Seven days a week!

Forrest > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/17/2016 at 02:14

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Why don’t you just get the CX5?

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/17/2016 at 10:14

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nah. buy something worthwhile instead.

Tapas > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 10/17/2016 at 11:26

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I love those colors :)

Tapas > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/17/2016 at 11:29

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Do you have to get a Tuscon or CX-5?

Get a CPO A7 for the same price, if you neeeeed to carry more people and want a giant trunk. It looks amazing!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/17/2016 at 11:40

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No

MotoMan23 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/17/2016 at 13:11

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It’s good

CaptDale - is secretly British > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/17/2016 at 18:35

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NO! HYUNDAI is shit. Their cars are shit. They suck. Please let this brand die

S65 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/17/2016 at 20:33

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Have you considered 500X?

mazda616 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 10/17/2016 at 21:07

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We have had a 2013 CX-5 since it was new. It was built October 2012 and we bought it in December of 2012. It has 39,000 miles and to date, the only problems we have had are a software update being needed for the transmission control module and a tailgate latch replacement. Other than that, it’s all just been regular maintenance.

It drives well, rides well, looks good, and has plenty of room. Honestly, it drives like a car - not a CUV.

Get a CX-5! :)