2014 Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is available in 4 trim levels for the 2014 model year that are named GLS, SE, Limited, and Walking Dead Edition. The Walking Dead Edition inspired by the famous TV series ‘The Walking Dead’ has been introduced to target the huge fan following to give them a chance of owning an SUV inspired by their favorite TV series. The GLS trim level is the new base trim level and has replaced the GL trim level that was available for the previous model year Tucson. All the trim levels except the ‘Walking Dead Edition’ are available in both FWD and AWD drivetrain configurations.

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Considering the price point and the host of features and creature comforts, the ‘Limited’ trim is the best option to go for in the Tucson lineup with its bigger engine and several added features that make it worth the price. You can go for the FWD or the AWD drivetrain option depending on your requirements. It offers all the features that you will need for your daily drives and more.

The 2014 Hyundai Tucson comes with two engine variants. A modest 2.0 L naturally aspirated engine powers the lower GLS trim level. It produces 164 horsepower and 151 lb-ft. of torque. All the higher trim levels get a larger 2.4 L naturally aspirated inline-4 motor that produces 182 horsepower and 177 lb-ft. of torque. Although the increase in power might not create much of a difference in terms of ride quality, it does increase the top speed to a humble 121 mph and decrease the 0-60 mph timing by a fraction of a second. The base GLS trim manages to get a 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds and covers a quarter-mile distance in 16.7 seconds, mainly because it is the lightest SUV in its class. The base engine delivers a top speed of 110 mph. 

The 2014 Tucson’s base engine might seem underpowered when compared to what its rivals offer, but it manages to deliver impressive performance figures, all thanks to the clever suspension system and the lighter curb weight. However, the firmer suspension doesn’t translate into a very comfortable ride quality. The Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape offer very identical acceleration figures and are very slow compared to the Hyundai and the Kia rival.

Apart from being impressive in the performance criterion, Tucson is also one of the most efficient SUVs in terms of fuel economy. With a city, highway, and combined fuel economy figures of 23 mpg, 29 mpg, and 25 mpg, respectively, the Tucson seems to be a worthy SUV to go for. Its 15.3 gallons of fuel tank capacity helps it manage a combined fuel range of 382.5 miles, which is definitely impressive for an SUV in its class. With these modest fuel economy figures, driving the Tucson for your daily needs and weekend getaways is blissful, and there isn’t much to worry about when it comes to the mileage.

The only drawback with the 2014 Tucson’s part is the fact that its rivals such as the Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape offer a tad bit more fuel economy despite having engines with higher displacement when compared to the base Tucson GLS. However, there is not much of a difference in the overall range on the highway. When comparing the combined range, Honda offers the most at 397 miles.

The interior design layout of the 2014 Hyundai Tucson might be the same one from the previous model year version, but it doesn’t look old. The features inside the cabin look and feel new compared to what the rivals offer. The curvy lines in and around Tucson’s interior are Hyundai’s design traits and can be seen mainly on the driver’s display, dashboard, and steering wheel. The dashboard looks simple yet intriguing with the infotainment display and HVAC vents’ placement. Having a touchscreen display means that there are fewer buttons on the center console.

The front bucket seats are 8-way power-adjustable seats with heating. They provide a good amount of comfort and confidence on turns and are available in cloth as well as leather upholstery depending on the trim level selected. The dual-zone automatic climate control and features like armrests and cup holders inside Tucson’s interior add convenience and practicality to the interior. The second-row seats are 60-40 split flat-folding bench seats that have the best headroom and legroom to offer in the segment. Folding the second-row seats completely flat also helps to increase the cargo capacity by a whole lot when needed.

The standard cargo capacity of the 2014 Hyundai Tucson is 25.7 cu-ft, and on folding the second-row seats, you can avail a maximum cargo capacity of 55.8 cu-ft, which is rather impressive. The tailgate opens nice and wide and has remote access. The Honda CR-V is the SUV with the best standard cargo capacity in the segment. But considering the overall interior space, comfort and practicality, the Tucson proves to be worth the money being spent. Some of the notable interior features are:

• Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Heated front seats
• Cruise Control
• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
• Keyless start
• Day/night Auto-Dimming rearview mirror
• 8-way power-adjustable front seats

How intuitive is the 2014 Hyundai Tucson’s infotainment unit?

Hyundai cars are always ahead of their competition when it comes to infotainment features, and the 2014 Tucson packs some decent ones. The dashboard hosts a 4.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display unit that has a variety of infotainment controls but seems slightly slow to respond. The audio system is a modest Autonet 160w 6 speaker audio system with features like satellite radio and iPod/USP Auxiliary jacks. The 2014 Tucson also gets Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity in the 2014 model year version as standard. Some of the notable infotainment features are:

• Satellite Radio
• USB port
• 4.3-inch multi-information infotainment display unit
• Autonet 160w 6-speaker audio system
• Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity as standard

The exterior bodywork of the 2014 Hyundai Tucson does look like it has the right aesthetics and proportions, but it turns out to be lacking the modernistic design touches in it when compared to its rivals. The split grille front fascia with the projector halogen headlamps and the flowing side profile has an unmistakable Hyundai touch to it. The wheels available are 17-inch alloys in the base GLS trim and 18-inch alloy wheels are available in the higher trims.

The Hyundai Tucson’s biggest advantage lies in the fact that it has a lightweight body with a short wheelbase and a clever Sachs suspension system that helps its dynamic ride quality and comfort. The Kia Sportage also seems to have similar exterior traits because they share the same platform. When comparing the ground clearance, Ford Escape offers the most at 7.9 inches, coming out to be the most practical of them all. Some of the notable exterior features are:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Rear Spoilers
• Projector halogen headlamps
• Optional trailer hitch receiver

The 2014 Hyundai Tucson has an impressive overall safety rating of 4 stars as per the NHTSA records and has similar results from agencies like the IIHS as well. It does house some basic and modern safety features that make it a safe and promising SUV in its class. The safety features include side-impact beams, Traction Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) along with some new-gen safety features such as Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Restricted Driving Mode, Blue Link Emergency SOS, and a backup camera. Some of the notable safety features are:

• Traction Control
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Engine Immobilizer
• Side impact beams
• Restricted Driving Mode
• Blue Link Emergency SOS
• Backup camera

The 2014 Hyundai Tucson is one of the most preferred SUVs in its segment and for all the right reasons. Its modest powertrain unit, comfortable ride quality, impressive fuel economy, and adequate amount of interior space and cargo capacity make the Tucson a worthy choice for small families who need the practicality of a compact SUV to go about their daily lives. The Tucson tends to be one of the best value for money SUVs in the segment that has a long history of happy customers, but it certainly could have done with some revisions in the exterior design as it feels outdated.