Hyundai Tucson

key1cc

My v6 4wd automatic gls from NJ has ~1800 miles. For city driving I get 16-17 mpg with typical NJ aggressive driving. When I switched to the "3000-rule" I got two tankfuls in a row at close to 20mpg (same city driving). Esenntially, I never let the tach go above 3000 rpm while driving or accelerating. It seemed boring at first ....but I figured it was an experiment worth trying. Since my major commutes forces me to stay under ~50mpg and most of the time under 40, it was relatively easy to get use to. I was actually pleasantly suprized at how much acceleration the Tuc still gets under 3000rpm.
Key

mar55

I have the GLS with the mp3 player. I can make a mp3 disk that plays but I would like to know if there is a way of separating albums, such as putting them in separate folders on the CD. I tried but it does not see inside the folder, only the songs outside of a folder. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

mfunkatron

Hey folks, I recently got a 2005 Tucson GLS 2wd 4 cylinder with about 1200 miles on it. I'm averaging barely 19 mpg thus far, and I am a little concerned that this is the best it will get. I'm not sure I believe in the "breaking in period", and I hope that you all have experiences with your Tucson's that will ease my mind.
I am really enjoying the car, but I'm spending too much on gas. Please reply and let me know how your MPG is looking at the 3000-8000 odometer. Thanks.

w2323

I think consumer reports says 20 mpg they are usually pretty accurate. I would go check them out for the actual amount they got. Do you have stick or auto?

The sticker says 24-27 MPG but was told it's not accurate.

mirage5

Consumer Reports hasn't done any official tests yet. I wish they would have before I bought it.

mirage5

I agree. I have the GLS 4WD and I've been spending a little too much on gas. I know it's an SUV, but man... The EPA estimates are off. I've been getting around 14mpg city and 22 mpg highway driving. I'm kind of disappointed. I like the vehicle(besides, but it's costing me an arm and a leg on gas already. I have 1250 miles on it. I like the Tucson, but if I could take it back, I would get the Honda CRV.

maggie4

Can the 4 wheel drive handle the sand on the beach?

stever

Check out the SUV for Beach Sand discussion too. Airing down the tires helps a lot no matter what you drive.

Steve, Host

shane1v

When will the NHTSA(whatever the abbreviation is) or IIHS(insurance industry test?) do their tests?? The Tucson has been out for approx. 8-9 months & people have had to go on faith as to how crash worthy it is.

Anyone have an idea when they might do these tests or why it's taking so long?

maggie4

Thanks! We turned in our Grand Cherokee for the Tuscon to down size a bit. I'll let you know how it goes after our first run on the beaches of southern NJ.

jayjay36

Sorry for not giving complete information on Tucson. Since it is the LX, it is the 6 cylinder. I have AWD. My driving is mostly hwy and getting 21mpg with 1,800 miles on it. I don't know if it went up from 17mpg because it has more mileage on it now OR because the weather has gotten warmer.
Today, I got my recall notice on the stability system. I'm driving with the switch off as was suggested in the letter from Hyundai. Couldn't get an appointment until April 26.

shane1v

Question:
Hyundais offers a $750 cash to customer incentive if you currently own a specific competitors SUV. I have a 4runnner so it applies.

My local dealer has a promo that will give a certian trade in value for any car newer than 1986.
Does using this promo(makes sense for me because its hard to sell my high mileage 94 4runner-they are offering me $2500) exclude my being able to get the $750 rebate?
they are offering me an AWD GLS w/Moonroof for $21,164. Tax, DMV,added later.
This price is not including the $750 rebate but I think they offer this price and buy my trade in for me not using the rebate. Is this at their discretion or should I be able to get the reabte to?
Sorry if this post isn't clear, I'm in a hurry
Thank you!
PS-I believe they wanna add an advertising fee of $500 on top of this. This seems really high. Fair or no?

nortsr1

It is my understanding that all Hyundai dealers are charged the $500.00 fee by the manufacturer and there is no way to get them to delete same from the price (unless, of course, they give you a better price, such as invoice and then take off the $2500.00 offered for your trade-in)

stever

Ad fees are usually legit. They are always irritating. Focus on your out the door price and you can avoid the debate entirely and you also avoid wasting a lot of time negotiating the line items.

Good story from Forbes this am:

"Chung's first step: Replace the bean counters in top management with engineers. Then he began working methodically on a strategy to challenge Toyota for leadership in J.D. Power's quality rankings. He hired a raft of consultants and worked closely with J.D. Power experts to benchmark the world's best auto companies. He sent Korean quality task forces to the U.S. to study weather and road conditions, as well as driver habits."

How Hyundai went from punch line to powerhouse

Steve, Host

nortsr1

Steve,
The story in Forbes was very enlightening and "goes to show ya" what can be done with proper management. If GM and Ford read this article...just perhaps...
maybe they will follow suit (of course they are a few years late)...

pcatch135

As a new owner of a Tucson I am very pleased with it. I have read every one of the messages on this site. My two sisters have a 2003 CRV and a 2003 RAV. I have driven both of them and I think I have the better SUV. I know that the cost of gas is out of control, but I look at it, that I am driving an SUV. I have 936 miles on it as of today. I am a snow bird from Boston and spend the winters in Hollywood, Fla. I bought a 2WD GLS. Hopefully we will wont see snow down here. Today I took a trip across I-75 ( Alligator Alley ). From my house in Hollywood to the end of the Alley is 114.5 miles. I filled up at a Mobil station before I got on it. At the end I found another Mobil station. It took 4.55 gals. I was driving at 70 MPH, the tac was on 2500, with the cruise control on all the way. If my math is right that is 25.16 MPG. I was very happy with those numbers. Driving around town I am getting about 19-20 MPG. If the numbers say the same I will be one very happy camper. Around May 4th we will be driving back to Boston I will keep track and report back.
I have have a few questions that I am looking for some answers.

1. The rug hooks -do they work?

2. The floor setting nob - should air come out of the face vents when in the floor mode?

3. The cardboard shelf, can I make anything out of it?

4. I am thinking of getting a set of cross rails - do they make noise at high speeds?

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who has posted a note on this site.

dovid2

I was disappointed to see that the article referenced a JD Power survey showing Hyundai with poor dependability results after 3 years; we have a 5-year-old Elantra that has been virtually trouble-free. Not a bad accomplishment considering how my wife abuses it!
On a lighter note, any of you "Santa Fe, New Mexico" owners have any comments?

307web

It will probably take another year or 2 for the dependability results to reflect the latest improvements. 3 years ago the 90 day JD Power results for Hyundai weren't good either.

The biggest disappointments with the Tucson review is poor fuel economy and poor performance at the same time with the V6. The rear shelf cargo cover is also a problem.
0-60 over 10 seconds and 16 MPG? Will improving one worsen the other and is performance and fuel economy poor because the Tucson is overweight?
I wonder how slow the 4 cylinder will be?
Maybe a new 5 speed automatic can improve both performance and MPG. Then add a rollup cargo cover and it would be near ideal.

key1cc

I'm not a pro but each time I tried the 0-60 I get between 8.7 and 9.1 seconds on my GLS 4WD V6. My numbers agree more with Motorweek who gets 9 seconds flat in the attached link

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2425a.shtml

xg350guy

Your right key1cc.....my Tucson GLS AWD ran at 9.1 when I timed it. Now I'm not a drag racer, but I figure that I can press a stop watch, look at the speedo, and watch the road as well. So if I can do it, 9 seconds is good enough for me. My xg350 did it in around 7.2 seconds with the 3.5 and probably the same weight. Gas mileage is improving, but I still haven't tested it yet with a good highway run. Too much stop and go and on and off highway.

One thing I do like is the off-road ability though. Whoever said this thing can't go off road was certainly trying to down play it's capabilities like so many other posts, reviews and articles. I don't think it would climb Everest, but curbs, soft shoulders and the like is nothing for this beast.

I have taken it into sand and gravel pits, cement plants, huge puddles five times the size of the vehicle, up to the undercarrige, and it just plows through them all. I will change the tires though, probably up to a P245-75 R16 to gain and extra 1 1/2 in height, and pot hole relief.

This was a very smart purchase for my needs, as I never know where I am going to go, and I'm not too concerned that I won't get out. Sure a 70K landrover would probably outperform it somewhere. But for 70K you think it should, right? But I bet they'd cringe at taking into a cement plant.

It sure gets lots of looks from many other SUV and car owners though, just like the xg did. Everyone loves the look, moreso than a CRV, RAV or others. Maybe Hyundai will seduce them all slowly with such an intriguing combination of well styled vehicles, cause really, I think were all bored seeing another Honda and Toyota blah car. The only other lower priced car companies that is offering some unique styling is Nissan, and Chrysler. But I guess against the so called leaders they too have something to prove.

latotucson

Brought my Tucson in for the recall work. First, they said something like, "yeah, the recall on the airbags." That did not inspire me with confidence. It took a half hour for them to do the work. On the way to work after I left there I noticed that now the engine malfuction light is ON. (Obviously a result of their wonderful work on the computer system.) So, I have to take it back to service again! AAARGH!!!! Check all your dash lights when you pick your car up from recall work!

bobg26

I just brought my Tucson (LX, V6, AWD) in for the recall work last Friday. I also had them change the oil as it was just under the 3000 mile mark. It appears the work was done properly .... no dash lights so far.

I also wanted to report a significant improvement in gas mileage on my last tankful. I averaged 20 MPG on mixed city/highway driving .... I had been averaging about 16-18 MPG previously. Not sure if it's due to the breaking-in of the vehicle or the warmer weather here in the Northeast recently - but I'm happy to see the improvement.

mytuc

I was the owner of a 2002 Hyundai Accent for the past 3 years, not one problem the entire time. Yet, I had no power anything...locks, windows....your arm gets tired after a while....lol. So I decided I needed something with a bit more.I figured I would bypass the Elantra nd Sonata and fellin love with the Tucson.

I bought one yesterday. I am so happy with my purchase. I have a Nautical Blue, Beige interior, 2WD GLS with the chrome package. It has beautiful chrome accents and detailed pinstripping in blue and beige.

I have named "him" Tuck (since I have heard it referred as the little brother of the Santa Fe) .

I am so excited and can't wait to take Tuck on a road trip.

Happy Driving.....



Jessica

stever

Sounds nice! Congrats.

Steve, Host

key1cc

I too took my V6 AWD Tucson in for the recall work on saturday and have not had any issues. Also I noticed that my mileage has increased from ~17mpg to ~20mpg city driving. I think it may be weather related.

Additionally I bought a scan guage and it appears my Tuc's speedometer is reading 4 mph to low.
Key1

pierreb

Can Iswitch back and forth between shiftronic and Automatic transmission while driving.
Or must you the vehicle be stopped before switching?

flytedhy

Only had the vehicle 1 month and just 400 miles on it, but stand-out impressions are these:

1. Engine sounds like a diesel, very loud even at idle and low rpm's. Anyone else notice that?

2. During first drive of the day, every day, at about 10-15 mph there is a defined clunk front the engine area. Not the transmission shifting, but like 2 metal parts being pushed together. Doesn't do it the rest of the day. Weird, but can plainly be heard.

3. Engine smells like hot oil after shutdown. All fluid levels are normal and I see no leaks. Maybe normal during break-in, but never had that in any other new car I've owned.

Going to the dealership for the VSC recall and I'll mention these things while I'm there. Any of these situations seen by other owners? Thanks

axsom

I am looking to down size from a '02 Explorer - reasons: MPG and it's just too big for me.

I am getting almost 17mpg now (in town), do you all feel the Tucson would be worth the not too much better mileage I am reading from your comments. I believe I would be satisfied w/the 2wd 4cyl.

I don't really NEED the SUV type vehicle for the cargo room. I just like sitting a little higher in the vehicle. I was looking at a Vibe but decided it was too small and chincy on the inside.

I haven't even test driven one yet. I may do that this evening. I love the standard option list that hyundai offers along with their warranty. Very hard to overlook!

Comments and suggestions welcome!

axsom

This is in addition to the previous posting that belongs to me.

I just read info on the recall for the Tucson. Has anyone had any problems and how much of a concern is this recalL?

danf1

You can change to Shiftronic and back at any speed.

flytedhy

Dealer said engine noise normal for the 4cyl. OK, for those considering the 4cyl, expect it to sound loud like a diesel. Clunck from engine area not located, at least nothing was falling off. Was told the hot oil smell is normal during break-in. The VSC recall took all of 20 minutes. I bought an oil filter while I was there and its the smallest filter I've ever seen. Half the size of other 4 cyl filters I've owned. Very bad idea and engineering on Hyundai's part. It is so cheap to put a normal filter into the design which filters the oil better, provides more cooling and will be much less likely to clog and open thereby providing no filtering. Very difficult to believe that with the warranty they offer, they went as cheap as possible in oil filters.

csandste

Generally they're a lot bigger than a corresponding Fram or ST. Maybe the dealer was substituting, unless Hyundai has gotten cheaper or the filter is different than what I had on my Elantra. ST used to have larger filters, but changed to Fram sized a couple of years ago. The only UOA I ran on the car showed borderline particulants but good results otherwise (SuperTech 10w30). If you go to bobistheoilguy there's some discussion about Hyundai oem v. SuperTech. Worried about Champion Labs going the route of Fram in order to compete on price. Purolator getting a bit marginal as well.

Many people think Korean cars stink to high hell for several hundred miles until all the cosmoline-type stuff they slop on for shipping burns off.

flytedhy

Yeah, it was a Hyundai filter. I will explore better filter designs. My biggest concern right now is that "clunk" sound I hear from the engine compartment at 10-15mph only on the first drive of the day. I can even feel it vibrate through the gas pedal. It doesn't coincide with a shift and it does it on light acceleration. Not normal. If you got a 4cyl, auto 2WD, anyone else notice that or had it fixed? Plan to change oil/filter at 1000 miles. Manual says to use 5/20 or 5/30, the Hyundai website says 10/30 or if expecting 100F, use 10/40? What is everyone else using.

epimper

I have a FWD, 6cyl with the MP3. All you have to do is save the files onto your disk as files rather than just songs. In doing so, you will see your file name change from ROOT to the name assigned. Hope this helps! i love using mine, I can get 300 plus songs on a disk!

mar55

Thanks for the reply epimper. I’m trying to separate the songs into different file folders (albums) on the CD so I can go to the album then open it and play it or go to a particular song inside the album so I don’t have to scan through 300 songs to find one. I have placed songs on the CD in MP3 format with the song title. Are yours separated into albums? Can this be done? Thanks, mar55

tower0000

I just bought the GLS 4WD, and I am as happy as you.

tower0000

I just bought a GLS 4wd, with the single cd and casset. No one can answer this question at he dealership. How many watts per channel is the system?

medic4tx

This is from the Hyundaiusa.com website....
Tucson Specs...near bottom of page
GLS: AM/FM stereo, cassette and MP3-compatible CD player with 6 speakers, 140 watts.
Hope this helps...I know that it rocks!!

mikezak

I am researching the Tucson GLS. I drive about 25K miles a year. As a result, I change my own oil (Mobil 1) every 5K miles or so. My question to the group is, "how easy is it to reach the oil filter"? Does the vehicle need to be on ramps, or is it accessible and have enough clearance to reach from underneath the car?

Thanks.

maverick1017

well, I guess it would be yesterday now. Test drove the LX 4WD with Moon roof in Alpine Frost. Really like the color! The drive was short but I came away with these observations; engine is more rough than I thought it would be, that may just be because it's still new, it also was making a clicking sound, sales guy said it was because the cylinders have not fully seated yet. Don't remember having this problem with other new cars I have test driven. Radio sounds good, actually it's one of the best OEM I have ever heard, rear visibility wasn't great but its acceptable. seats were supportive in general, although I wish it had more lumbar support, wish it had power seats too. leather seems pretty soft, good quality. controls are intuitive, nice ergonomics. Fit and finish was fantastic. suspension was compliant, ride was quieter than expected. the Tucson is definitly a strong candidate, wish I could have taken it on the highway though, I wanted to see how it handles at passing speed, on ramp acceleration, and pothole absorption.

After the test drive I had a couple of questions the sales guy couldn't answer, so I am asking here now, does the Tucson come with an in cabin air filter, it's important as I have really bad allergies and want to filter out as much pollen/allergents as possible. the other is that the interior picture shot on Edmunds shows a shelf like area below the steering column while on the actual car, that area is solid? kind of disappointing actually, I was hoping there is a shelf there.

Then I went to the KIA dealership down the road to check out the Sorento at first but bumped into a sportage instead. The sportage actually looked better in person than it did in pictures. the rear of that one remind me of the Volvo XC90 rear. while the front still remind me of Ford/Mazda front fascia, kind of a weird combination. The Kia sales manager quoted me a price of 19.5K for an EX 4WD with leather! Nuts, now my decision just got harder, another variable enters the equation. Wanted to do a test drive but they were puting plates on the last one they had in stock, it was just sold. I guess I'll have to schedule a test drive at another dealer next weekend. I know what I'll be doing every weekend in May!

Mike

mtice1979

When using the shiftronic shifting system the vehicle can be in motion. What it does when shifted in to the plus-minus area, the engine shows what gear the vehicle is in and at that point you can up shift or down shift at your pleasure. keep in mind that the system is dummy proof and will not let you redline the vehicle.

238000

I just got back from a trip from Connecticut to Hutchison Island, Florida, leaving at 1,633 miles, and returning at about 4,707 miles. The Tucson proved to be a great road car. In Georgia we hit such a down pour about 6p.m.,visibility was terrible. I felt safe in the car since it is so solid and imparts a feeling of security. I could even handle the Delaware Memorial bridge which used to terrify me. Prior to this trip, driving in snow, in a parking lot I tried to induce a skid, but it wouldn't budge and kept going straight. On the Florida trip I think I got about 22-24 mpg but didn't monitor the gallonage. Another way to look at is is cost per mile. It cost me about 11.5 cents per mile. 1. Rug hooks - they work. 2. floor setting knob, I'm not sure about the air. 3. cardboard shelf - it's not really card board but comes in handy if you're tailgaiting at a football game or something like that. 4. Cross rails you thin would generate wind noise. The side rails don't. The Tucson has solved a problem that Honda and my 2003 Sonata couldn't which was having to use the air conditioner to de-fog the windshield. The Tucson has a setting which accomplishes that.

238000

I found out on the forum discussion board that there was a recall to recalibrate the electronic stability control. When I called the agency they said the recall notice from Hyundai was to be sent out around April 30th (2005). I had the recalibration done, and that was that - no charge, of course. I don't fully understand how the ESP works, but I don't envision ever using it.

pcatch135

">Thanks for the input. I am half way back to Boston, in North Carolina. The tucson has run like a dream. At many rest stops, many people have come up to me to talk about my UTE. They are very impressed by it. I have stopped checking my MPG, it has been the same 24-25 MPG. I did find a Mobil Station in South Carolina, the price was $2.03 per gallon. I wish that I had 500 gal. gas tank. I will write again when I get back home. Thanks for the information.

mtice1979

I completely understand your feelings about the clicking noise you heard in the engine. It is very typical in the 2.7 liter Hyundai engine, but only when they are brand new.

And that $19,500 price on a loaded '05 Sportage.....Did you get that on paper? Go buy it....RIGHT NOW!!!!! Something smells fishy....Lents over, I think that you might of got low balled. :surprise:

iluvmysephia1

up immediately, I agree. A friend bought the new Sportage and it looks solid and awesome. He loves it. He mentioned a program through his dealer where you pay an extra $20/month on your payment and when you are ready to trade-in again on a new Kia they will completely waive any negative equity on your trade-in. In his case it's the '05 Sportage! The thing looks so good it seems weird to try and imagine it losing its value quickly. It is time that both Kia and Hyundai hold their collective values like Honda's and Toyota's do. HyunKia has arrived and The General, Ford and DCX had better improve their cars and lower their prices quickly or they will be forced to look for other work. Seriously.

maverick1017

I am pretty sure it was a low ball quote, but then again I was only curious, the dealer ship was closed anyways, the only reason I was able to browse the sportage was because they were waiting on the license plates. The manager had a sleeze feeling to him from the get go, dude was dressed like he was out of a Travolta movie but updated. No offence but I like to deal with either guys in suits and a tie or jeans and a polo shirt. Presentation is key, guy dressed for boogy nights just don't scream confidence. I'll be doing my seriouse shopping at other KIA dealerships, trouble is there aren't that many around here. May have to go to NJ...ROAD TRIP!!! I have to take my best friend along on the next test drive, she'll set me straight if I am too pigeon holed into an idea, and she don't do it gently either! Plus she'll be riding shotgun most of the time I want to make sure she'll be comfortable in it too and also get her assesment. I am a car guy, sometimes I can't think straight when I get excited about a car, she on the other hand is not into cars and will look at things objectively (man, I hate that sometimes).

Anyways, Tucson exterior design is more distinct, where as the Sportage's design is more muted and conventional. Interior wise, I haven't decided which on I like more, I like certain aspects of both designs but I'll need to sit in the Sportage before I can truthfully compare both. I may like the Sportage's guages better, the Tucson gauges feels too cramped together. Instrument cluster feels too small. looks like it belongs on the Toyota Echo, doesn't seem to go with the rest of the design theme.

Mike

238000

I was in South Carolina last week (April 27th) and I saw that same statioin $2.03 per gallon, and next to them there was one for $2.14. We stayed at a Days Inn in the area.

zhao4

Hi mtice1979

I am really curious about the "clicking noise" you guys were talking about. Is "clicking noise" the best description of the sound? I have kept a GLS V6 FWD for 4 days. I do notice a ticking sound of high frequency (possibly the "clicking sound" you mentioned), during acceleration, especially when the speed is low. I can hardly notice it when the car is running fast or at a relatively constant speed.

If it is normal, when will the noise be gone? My car is currently at 300 miles.

zhao4

I bought a GLS V6 FWD a few days ago and I am pretty happy with it. The handling of the car is even better than my old toyota corolla. A V6 engine just give enough power for acceleration. The interior room and exterior look are also right for us. However, I just got two questions about the car, any suggestions and thought are very appreciated.

1. I notice a ticking sound (possibly the "clicking noise" some people mentioned before) during acceleration from engine, especially at low speed. When driving at roughly constant speed, the noise is not obvious any more. Is this typical for a new V6 2.7L engine? During test drive I did notice it too, the salesman told me that because the car needed be broken-in. I am currently at 300 miles, when the noise will go off?

2. According to the manual, during the break-in period, one should keep engine speed between 2000 to 4000 rpm. Does this actually mean keep it below 4000 rpm? Becuase the V6 engine is so powerful, that on highway it is really difficult to keep the car speed less than 55 mph but the engine more than 2000 rpm.

3. When should I do my first oil change. I plan to do it at 1000 mile. Any special points I should pay attention for the first maintenance?

This is my first new car. Please share with me your suggestions and thoughts. I appreciate it.