Hyundai's head of product planning, Scott Margason, wore a genuine smile as he launched into the specifics of the Korean automaker's new 2010 Tucson crossover.
And with good reason. As Margason points out, the Tucson has "packed up its original boxy shape," and replaced it with a "longer, lower silhouette." Its new "fluidic sculpture" follows the same look of the 2011 Sonata that debuted yesterday at the L.A. auto show, and that's good news all around.
Add in the 2010 Tucson's 23/31 mpg rating, raft of standard equipment (both safety and comfort features) and the Tucson should find some serious buyers, pretty quickly.
On sale this month, Hyundai says the Tucson will be priced "well under $20,000."
Merry Christmas, indeed.
-- Kelly Toepke, News Editor
lostandfound08 says:
12:01 PM, 12/ 3/09
Maybe it's just me, but that bears a striking resemblance to the European Ford Kuga.
http://content.fdds-sniff.trilogy.com/vfs/dealers/05408/2009FordKuga.jpg
But, it's not like Hyundai is known for original designs...
pat1usmc says:
12:04 PM, 12/ 3/09
Looks good. Hyundai is definitely on a roll!
1487 says:
12:47 PM, 12/ 3/09
dont like it. Too much going on out front.
arumage says:
12:49 PM, 12/ 3/09
@lostandfound08:
It does look like the Kuga, but there is some precedent for the style. Hyundai's Genus concept from 2006 looks to have inspired a few of the elements.
dougtheeng says:
01:00 PM, 12/ 3/09
I like it. The front end is unusual, but certainly no worse then the other strange designs we're seeing in similar vehicles - CR-V, Terrain, etc.
rick8365 says:
01:17 PM, 12/ 3/09
Fiesta on 'roids??
stephen987 says:
03:06 PM, 12/ 3/09
Also a resemblance to the Rogue, especially from the side and rear quarter.
mikedrud says:
03:29 PM, 12/ 3/09
Fieta on 'roids. Funny.
That design is certainly a theme for cars and crossovers from both Hyundai and Ford (and the new Chevys?).
Not sure I like it, but I think it could do well in the U.S. Hyundai is among the winners emerging from the financial crisis (along with Ford).
bodyblue says:
03:55 PM, 12/ 3/09
I think I like the Kias more lately than the Hyundais.....I think the Forte is really nice looking.
caroma says:
05:47 PM, 12/ 3/09
Euro spec with round side marker looks better.
jyym says:
06:02 PM, 12/ 3/09
@lostandfound08
Not that the new Tuscon looks much like the Kuga, the design of the Tuscon was heavily influenced by the Hyundai HED-2 and HED-3 concepts from 2006, which predated the Kuga.
http://www.supercarnews.net/hyundai/picture/2006-hyundai-hed-2-genus-concept-scn-net-057-16657/
http://www.supercarnews.net/hyundai/picture/2006-hyundai-hed-3-arnejs-concept-scn-net-6682-19643/
AMTalker says:
06:54 AM, 12/ 4/09
Styling aside, to each is own. The car maker is sure making strides to win the fuel economy battle. I am intrested to see how much better it can get when they add the hybrid to fleet.
cr_driver says:
04:46 PM, 12/ 4/09
I know Hyundais have amazing value, but today looked at the specs of the current tucson, an for less than 20 grand u get a LOT man! Wow, this one will offer even more ,better styling, better engines, less weight, heck this thing will keep selling very well.