Useful utility, plentiful features

Try as we might, we could not pull or prod any of the Tucson’s interior bits and pieces loose of their moorings. This Hyundai is well assembled. And the quality of the materials is high, too. Take, for instance, the headliner, which is plush cloth mostly free of lint and fuzz. Proof that Hyundai spent time and money getting the details right is in how the headliner meets the sunroof. Instead of a rubber gasket surrounding the sunroof opening to hide the unfinished edge of the headliner, Hyundai has chosen to go the extra step of wrapping the headliner around the lip of the sunroof opening, and adhering it to the roof. That’s how luxury car builders solve this problem, and Hyundai is supplying it on an entry-level SUV priced just above $20,000.

Something else that reminded us of a luxury car was the Tucson’s buttons and controls. Everything operates with the fluidic heft of a Lexus, and at night, Hyundai has seen fit to make sure all of the controls on the door panel are illuminated, not just the driver’s window. Other signs that the company didn’t chintz to eke extra profit out of the Tucson include slick cargo shade extensions that clip onto the headrest supports that allow the seat to recline while protecting valuable from prying eyes; one-touch open control for the power sunroof; and 12-volt power outlets for the front seats, the rear seats, and the cargo area.