For those of you who have seen the most recent model of the Hyundai Santa Fe will tell me that it is a "mimi-me" version of that SUV. Yes it is, styling is almost identical but smaller. It is clearly targeted to the European and Asian markets. Although here in Canada it's a very popular model and there are still plenty of older Tuscon models on the road. As you can see from the pictures the front grill is very "Hyundai like", Mazda has also followed this same styling idea with almost all their vehicles having the same front fascia.
Hyundai has released the European specifications. Built on an all new platform the 2016 Hyundai Tuscon has 18.5 cubic feet (524 L) of cargo space with the second row up. Overall length of 2016 Tuscon increases to 176.1 inches (447 cm), 2.6 inches (6.6 cm) longer than the previous model.
There are two four cylinder engines available: a 1.6 liter normally aspirated gasoline engine offering 130 hp and the turbocharged version producing 170 hp. Three diesel options will be available in Europe ranging from a 1.7 to 2.0 liters in displacement.
Transmissions choices: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic or 7-speed dual clutch automatic.
Car and Driver states that non European markets get a direct-injected 2.0 L four cylinder which they expect would be the U.S. market’s standard engine. Currently the 2.0 L GDI engine produces 173 hp @ 6500 rpm on our crappy North American 87 Octane gasoline.
On the safety front, Hyundai's Autonomous Emergency Braking with three modes, pedestrian, city and inter-urban. "Automatic braking is engaged whenever an unsafe closing speed with a person or vehicle in front, from low to high speeds, is detected. Other safety features include Lane Keeping Assist that proactively corrects the steering to avoid unintended lane departure, and Rear Traffic Cross Alert, which has radar to scan a 180-degree area behind the vehicle, alerting the driver to cross-traffic. Other drive assists include blind spot detection and an information function that alerts the driver to the local speed limits."
Hyundai has come a long way since the introduction of the Pony. In my opinion Hyundai has improved the most from all the major auto manufacturers, well done Hyundai keep it up. I will definitely take a look at this all new 2016 Tuscon if it offered in manual with AWD here in Canada. Unfortunately here in Canada (North America) in order to get the AWD version you have to take the auto box, pity.
Full article as well as further photos can be found on the Kelly Blue Book website by following this link: http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2016-hyundai-tucson-previewed-at-geneva/2000011726/
Car and Driver full article: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2016-hyundai-tucson-official-photos-and-info-news
Lane Keeping Assist sounds like an awesome feature for long trips. I can't tell you how many times I've felt that little bit of lane drift kick in after hours of highway driving. Although this is a sign I need to pull over and get more coffee, having a car fix it for me would be phenomenal.
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