Hyundai Tucson City 2006 Review

7-day Test

The Tucson City's reason for existence is what the industry calls a 'high hip point.' Fortunately for Hyundai, this has nothing to do with whether it is a hip vehicle to get around in.

The $26,490 Tucson City starts life as Hyundai's equivalent to a Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute with the AWD Tucson's all-wheel drive hardware removed and its V6 engine swapped for the Elantra's 2.0-litre four. Its auto-only price and comprehensive equipment launch it straight into battle with the small passenger car wagons like the Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi Lancer and Holden Astra.

It follows the Ford Territory where Ford figured that at least half of all Territory buyers would want a Territory without AWD – buying for packaging, not go-anywhere ability. The Tucson City takes this one step further by cutting engine size to exploit the reduced weight although its soft-roader AWD origins still generates a hefty 1467kg, a big ask for the 104kW engine.

Styling-wise, the Tucson has more than a hint of Volkswagen Touareg about it. On its own, it looks substantial. Next to a mainstream softroader like a RAV4 or Honda CR-V, it is actually quite small.

Its bulbous proportions generate a 1795mm width and extra length without any real benefit inside. Cargo length is tighter than the Lancer ES wagon recently on test but that is not why Aussies (many women) are buying it with enthusiasm.

The switch to low-slung passenger cars with door openings that crack your head and low luggage floors that can break your back, have forced people to look for a vehicle that doesn't look like a peoplemover but delivers a loading height that can be accessed while standing upright. A bonus is a driving position that gives great vision -- in other words, it's that high hip point that has underpinned the 4X4 boom for decades.

There is also a rapidly growing population of older people who can't step down or climb up to get in or out of a vehicle easily. The Tucson City is perfect for all these scenarios and affordable to boot.

On paper, the all-independent strut suspension front and rear has everything required to deliver the goods in the under-$30,000 bracket. Indeed, the Tucson City is especially competent on corrugated and broken dirt surfaces providing you keep the speed below 50km/h or so. Around town the same applies but this could be the baggy soft-road tyres doing their thing.

Although four wheel disc brakes and ABS work well on dirt roads, the Tucson's Traction Control is no substitute for all-wheel drive. As I tried to get up a slippery slope and maintain momentum for the struggling engine, the traction control kept hosing out the fire. At one point, reversing up was the only way out. The City badge is best treated literally.  

On the open road at a typical legal 100-110km/h cruise, the suspension is like a ferret as it finds ruts and edges in sealed surfaces that you can't even see.  On new freeway surfaces it is reasonably smooth and quiet but on rural highways it falls into surface joins and dips like an old 1960s Japanese car. I did an extended drive with a load onboard to see if it could function as an only family car but it was not something I would want to do everyday.

The engine with its 184Nm torque peak at 4500rpm is better than expected providing you are not in a hurry. An overall touring figure with some city driving of just on 9lt/100km was commendable. It was also an indicator of how I couldn't be bothered trying to maintain legal speeds up hill and down dale when the noise in league with the suspension jolts would have killed any therapeutic effect of the drive.

The grey interior while better than past Hyundai efforts, can look a little bleak with some oddball angles and creaselines that cheapen it. The latest rotary heating and ventilation controls are a nice touch except they look like they were thrown randomly onto the centre dash.

There is a funny sunken fish bowl effect in the centre of the dash which looks like someone thought it would make a great central storage space but went home without finishing it. With rounded sides and no lining, it launches anything you put there throughout the cabin.

Alas this detail pretty well sums up the car. This unfinished effect in several key areas is puzzling when the money has already been spent on such a good basic package. This includes some really neat touches including the flexible luggage cover that allows you to recline the rear seats, the clever seat folding arrangements, the sun visor extension panels, sunglass holder, front seat back pockets and general storage all reflect sound thinking and detailing.

If you need a small wagon with better than average ground clearance, modern styling, good driver vision, outstanding passenger and load access, the Tucson City has no rival at the price. It is just a shame that it feels so unfinished.