March 22, 2010 by Jon Alain Guzik, Editor-in-Chief What's to Like The interior is of the highest quality in its class, with soft-touch plastics, silver accents and a simple center stack layout. An optional panoramic roof is rare in a car in this price range. A lockable center differential and the availability of either a manual or automatic transmission provide more choice for those who wish it. Let’s not forget the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. What's Not to Like There is not a lot to dislike about this car except for a slightly lacking four-cylinder engine, which is sure to leave some wanting a six-cylinder, à la RAV-4 . A somewhat harsh all-wheel drive suspension setup may deter would-be buyers as well. The Drive: DriverSide Driving Impressions We like both the look and feel of the new Tucson, and the drive is also a big step up from the pervious version. The Tucson more than holds its own against the big boys in the segment, such as the somewhat long-in-the-tooth Toyota RAV-4 and Honda CR-V . Like these two, the Tucson goes for a smooth and quiet ride, a well-balanced feel and a confident command position when driving. While we bemoan the lack of a 6-cylinder (the CR-V doesn’t have one either), the Tucson is more than capable of bringing you, your stuff, some friends and a dog from point A to point B in comfort and style. Engine and Drivetrain A V-6 is no longer an option on the new Tucson, but the new 2.4-liter develops more power than the outgoing engine at 176 horsepower and 168 lb-ft of torque. One can choose between either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, coupled to either front or all-wheel drive, the latter of which will send all power to the front wheels to reduce drag and improve gas mileage, until it detect... |