A brief drive along a rocky dirt track showed us the Tucson can manage light off-highway duty.
We drove both four-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive models on pavement, and somewhat to our surprise found that we liked the ride and handling of the 4WD versions slightly better. This might seem counterintuitive, but it was probably because the 4WD models pack a little more weight over their rear wheels, making them better balanced overall, even though they are slightly heavier. What's more, the 4WD models didn't spin their front wheels on wet and slippery roads, as the front-drive models tended to do. Four-wheel-drive models also boast slightly larger rear brake discs, at 11.2 inches vs. 10.3 for front-drive models. All told, the 4WD option is worthwhile and we recommend getting it.
The four-wheel-drive system is a part-time setup, but once engaged it operates more like full-time all-wheel-drive, automatically routing power to the end of the vehicle that can use it best. (Unlike all-wheel drive, traditional part-time 4WD, the kind associated with older pickup trucks, does not alter the torque split according to conditions.) Most of the time the electronic brain sends most of the power (up to 99 percent) to the front wheels. If road conditions deteriorate, the system diverts up to 50 percent of the power to the rear wheels. An additional mode allows the driver to lock in a 50/50 torque split for really slippery conditions, just the thing for big snowstorms. Called Electronic InterActive Torque Management, Tucson's Borg Warner system is essentially the same system Hyundai installs in the AWD Santa Fe. The lock automatically disengages above 20-25 mph, or when the ABS is activated.
The base Tucson comes with a modern four-cylinder engine, with four valves per cylinder and Hyundai's continuously variable valve timing. Still, it produces only 140 horsepower at 6000 rpm, and 136 pound-feet of torque at 4500. Judging from the modest performance of the V6-powered Tucson, we would expect relatively poor acceleration performance from the four-cylinder. And at 20/25 mpg city/highway, its EPA ratings are not dramatically better than the FWD V6's 18/24. So the main advantage to the four-cylinder lies in the purchase price. We think the V6 is the better buy here. Next Page