2012 Hyundai Tucson Trims and Specs

Sure, it’s not the roomiest compact crossover on the market, and its ride may be a little harsh for some, despite some minor suspension tweaks, but the 2012 Hyundai Tucson GL nevertheless flaunts value, efficiency and agility, not to mention a suave and swoopy profile. This base 5-passenger mini-ute comes with a somewhat tight 55.8 cubic feet of total cargo area, as well as 17-inch steel wheels, a rear spoiler and power-adjustable mirrors outside, with cloth upholstery, a height adjustable driver’s seat, split-folding rear seats and simulated alloy cabin accents adorning the inside. Full power accessories also grace the latest Tucson GL editions, with tilt-wheel steering, a trip computer and air conditioning standard as well. Entertainment, meantime, is offered via a 160-watt system with an MP3-capable single-CD player, 6 speakers, satellite radio and a USB port.

Optional equipment again includes remote engine start, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a trailer hitch, a roof rack with cross rails, splash guards and carpeted floor and cargo mats.

Powering the front-wheel-drive (FWD) Tucson GL is a 165-hp variable-valve-timed (VVT) 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine. The four-banger mates with either the standard 5-speed manual transmission or an available 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission for 146 lb-ft of torque and flaunts mileage estimates of 20 mpg city/26 highway with the stick shift, and an impressive 22/29 with the automatic. Low-rolling-resistance tires and a selectable Active Eco mode, both new for 2012, help with mileage, while towing remains maxed out at 2,000 pounds with the available tow hitch installed.

Standard safety features aboard the 2012 Tucson GL include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, and front head restraint whiplash protection, along with a standard remote antitheft alarm.

The midlevel trim in Hyundai’s 2012 Tucson lineup remains the suave and sophisticated Tucson GLS. Though toting a meager 55.8 cubic feet of cargo area with the rear seats folded, this 5-passenger compact crossover nevertheless makes up for that perceived deficiency with a wealth of standard appearance amenities and creature comforts. Outside, the Tucson GLS sports 17-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, heated power-adjustable mirrors and a rear spoiler. Inside, look for leatherette and cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, simulated alloy cabin accents and a tilting and telescoping steering wheel wrapped in leather and mounting standard audio and cruise controls. Leather and simulated alloy cabin accents add to the ambiance, as do full power accessories and manually adjustable air conditioning.

Standard entertainment features, meantime, include a 160-watt system boasting an MP3-capable single-CD player, 6 speakers, satellite radio and a USB connection, all of it bolstered by Bluetooth hands-free technology.

Popular options for the 2012 Tucson GLS include remote engine start, roof-rack crossbars, carpeted cargo and floor mats, splash guards, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a trailer hitch.

Boasting a variable-valve-timed (VVT) 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant and standard 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, this front-wheel-drive-only (FWD) midlevel crossover trim is good for 176 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. Towing remains maxed out at 2,000 pounds with the proper equipment, and mileage, helped by new low-rolling-resistance tires and a selectable Active Eco mode, both new for 2012, is pegged at a respectable 21 mpg city/30 highway. Also new for this year is an upgraded suspension that adds marginally to ride comfort.

Noteworthy standard safety features, meantime, include 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, and front head restraint whiplash protection. Standard turn-signal-integrated mirrors (new for 2012) are also included, as is a remote antitheft alarm.

Hyundai’s value-toting 2012 Tucson GLS AWD not only loads up on the standard creature comforts and appearance doodads, but flaunts confidence-inducing standard all-wheel drive (AWD) as well. Outside, this 5-seat compact crossover sports 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, a roof rack and heated power-adjustable mirrors. Cabin accoutrements, meantime, include leatherette and cloth upholstery, heated front seats, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, full power accessories and a telescoping and tilting leather-wrapped steering wheel mounting audio and cruise controls. Leather and simulated alloy cabin accents, meantime, are embraced by manual air conditioning, with Bluetooth hands-free technology ready to keep everyone connected. The standard 160-watt audio system, finally, boasts an MP3-capable single-CD changer, 6 speakers, satellite radio and a USB connection.

Notable options for the midlevel Tucson GLS AWD include remote engine start, a trailer hitch, roof rack cross rails, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, splash guards and carpeted floor and cargo mats.

A 2.4-liter variable-valve-timed (VVT) inline 4-cylinder engine again powers this traction-savvy crossover, and combined with the standard 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, puts out 176 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. The intelligent AWD system, meanwhile, allows cruising in front-wheel drive and automatic switching of torque to all 4 wheels when roads get slippery. Additionally, a driver-selectable mode allows full-time AWD to be locked in, even on dry pavement. Mileage, meantime, is estimated at a semi-impressive 20 mpg city/27 highway with this year’s new low rolling-resistance tires and selectable Active Eco mode, while towing capacity remains topped out at 2,000 pounds with the proper equipment. Finally, this midlevel trim’s suspension has been tweaked for a marginally more comfortable ride in 2012.

Notable standard safety equipment aboard the 2012 Tucson GLS AWD includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, and front head restraint whiplash protection. Further standard safety features include turn-signal-integrated mirrors that are new for 2012 and a remote antitheft alarm.

At the top of the 2012 Hyundai Tucson compact crossover lineup is the flagship Tucson Limited. This 5-passenger mini-ute sports the same lackluster 55.8 cubic feet of total cargo area as its lesser compatriots, but for this year sports a slightly upgraded suspension and loads of standard appearance, convenience and comfort features. The swoopy profile, for instance, comes adorned with 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, a roof rack and heated power-adjustable mirrors. Inside, look for leather upholstery, heated front seats, a height-adjustable power driver’s seat and full power accessories.

Additional goodies offered in this upscale compact people-hauler include a leather and simulated alloy tilting and telescoping steering wheel mounting audio and cruise controls, as well as upgraded leather and simulated alloy cabin accents. A universal remote garage door opener also comes standard, as do front auto climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and Bluetooth hands-free communications.

Entertainment, meantime, includes a 160-watt system complete with 6 speakers, an MP3-capable single-CD player, satellite radio and a USB connection.

Options aboard the 2012 Tucson Limited include roof rack cross rails, splash guards, carpeted floor and cargo mats, and remote engine start. The Premium Package, meantime, is once more available to this flagship trim and flaunts a power sunroof, a navigation suite with 6.5-inch touchscreen and a premium audio system boasting 360 watts of power and 7 speakers.

A standard variable-valve-timed (VVT) 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine again powers this front-wheel-drive-only (FWD) compact crossover and mates with a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission for 176 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. Mileage, helped by low rolling-resistance tires and a selectable Active Eco mode this year, is estimated at an impressive 21 mpg city/30 highway in the I4-equipped Limited, while towing capacity maxes out at some 2,000 pounds with the available tow hitch installed.

Finally, standard safety equipment aboard the 2012 Tucson Limited includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and front head restraint whiplash protection. Secondary safety equipment includes turn-signal-integrated mirrors, front fog/driving lights, dusk-sensing headlights and a remote antitheft alarm.

Should the standard front-wheel-drive configuration of the 2012 Hyundai Tucson Limited not be quite enough for your winter driving, check out the Limited AWD. This all-wheel-drive-equipped (AWD) 5-passenger compact crossover represents the flagship trim of the Tucson lineup and comes complete with 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, a roof rack and heated power-adjustable mirrors, not to mention a suave profile that features plenty of sexy curves. Oh, and this year’s Tucson Limited AWD additionally boasts a slightly re-tuned suspension touting marginally improved ride comfort.

Inside, look for a tepid 55.8 cubic feet of total cargo room, along with leather upholstery, heated front seats, full power accessories and a height- and power-adjustable driver’s seat. Leather and simulated alloy cabin trim complements the leather-wrapped tilting and telescoping steering wheel that mounts audio and cruise controls, with all of this embraced by auto climate control. A universal remote garage door opener is again standard, as are an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and Bluetooth hands-free communications. Finally, entertainment is provided by a 160-watt audio system boasting an MP3-capable single-CD player, 6 speakers, satellite radio and a USB port.

Options in the top-shelf 2012 Tucson Limited AWD include the Premium Package, with power sunroof, voice-activated navigation with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display and 350 watts of audio through 7 premium speakers. Standalone options, meantime, include remote engine start, carpeted floor and cargo mats, splash guards, roof-rack cross rails and a tow hitch.

Powering this traction-savvy Tucson trim is a variable-valve-timed (VVT) 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine that mates with the standard 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission for 176 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. The AWD system, meanwhile allows cruising in front-wheel drive on dry pavement while standing ready to automatically divert torque from the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip when surfaces get slippery. This confidence-inducing set-up also sports a driver-selectable mode to lock in AWD even on dry pavement. Mileage in the Tucson Limited AWD, however, drops to 20 mpg city/27 highway, despite the 2012 edition’s low rolling-resistance tires and selectable Active Eco mode. Towing capacity once again maxes out at 2,000 pounds with the proper equipment.

Finally, noteworthy standard safety equipment includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and front head restraint whiplash protection. Further standard safety features include front fog/driving lights, dusk-sensing headlights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors and a remote antitheft alarm.