2014 Hyundai Tucson Changes: New Engines, More Features
The 2014 Hyundai Tuscon won’t arrive in showrooms for another few weeks, but there is already a lot of excitement generated about the large number of significant changes and upgrades that will be in place when it arrives.
The changes run the gamut from small visual tweaks all the way up to improved dynamics and power under the hood.
Hyundai are sticking with the three-tier lineup for the new 2014 Tuscon, although the names change a little, going from GL/GLS/Limited to GLS/SE/Limited.
2014 Tucson Changes
There are a number of exterior design changes on display, including LED lights in front and back, redesigned wheels that are 17-inch standard and 18-inch optional.
The interior comfortably seats 5 passengers and comes with revised color/trim combinations.
Drivers will benefit from a new steering wheel column that allows the wheel to tilt and telescope.
Technology is also well served, with the base GLS model even coming with the Blue Link telematics system and three years of service. Technology also includes Bluetooth hands-free capability.
Moving up to the SE and Limited trim levels means adding a rearview camera displayed on a 4.3-inch color touchscreen. Limited owners have the option of taking that one step further by adding a navigation system and HD radio on a 7-inch touchscreen.
2014 Hyundai Engine Range Upgrades
Hyundai is giving people a new jolt of power under the hood with a pair of 4-cylinder engines that have the same displacement as the 2013 versions, although they now come with direct fuel injection for more power and lower emissions.
A new 2.0-liter Nu appears in the GLS model and is expected to start appearing in a number of new models.
The 164 horsepower and 151-lb-ft of torque it produces is a little less than the 2.0-liter Theta, although the additional 5 lb-ft of twists it delivers allows it to go lower in the rev range to boost acceleration.
Fuel efficiency in the city also gets a boost from 22 to 23 mpg with the backing of a 6-speed automatic transmission that features Shiftronic manual-style control.
The 2.4-liter Theta II GDI engine under the hood in the SE and Limited models is the same as the one featured in the Sonata and Santa Fe Sport.
The 6-speed Shiftronic automatic is also found here, delivering 182 horses and 177 lb-ft of torque compared to the 176/168 output figures of the port-injected engine found in the 2013 model.
Both powertrains come with Active ECO mode that allows for a 5-7% increase in fuel efficiency.
Tow Ratings, Prices, AWD
The tow ratings on the new Tuscon are the same as the previous year at 1,000 pounds base/2,000 pounds with trailer brakes.
The basic chassis hardware is the same as before, although premium Sachs Amplitude Selective Damping shocks have now been added to the base model for improved ride and handling.
Another new addition to the entry level Tuscon is the ability to choose between front and all-wheel drive configurations. The AWD remains the same, employing an electronically controlled on-demand system in the SE and Limited trims.
The pricing levels for the 2014 Hyundai Tuscon are as follows: $22,305 for the GLS, $24,355 for the SE and $27,055 for the Limited. For an additional $1,500, all-wheel drive can be added.
