In 2014, Hyundai swung a deal with the producers of The Walking Dead to make their Tucson Crossover SUV the show’s official car and the primary way its characters got around while mowing down plenty of zombies.
I don’t know how natural marriage a friendly urban Crossover and The Walking Dead was, but one extended test drive confirms that the 2015 Tucson offers a stack of features and a reliable drive for one of the lowest MSRPs in the market.
The entry level trim market on the Tucson is just north of $22,000. Compare that to the similarly sized and popular Mazda CX-9 starting at just under $30,000 or the $28,000 Toyota Venza. The Tucson’s direct competition would probably be the Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape with both starting out at a similar price point.
Related: 2015 Hyundai Sonata Takes on Its Rivals
This Hyundai Crossover stays in the fight against its hot-selling Ford and Honda rivals by packing its affordable frame with an impressive set of features throughout the trim levels. The entry level Tucson seats five with ample cargo room. It holds a 164 horsepower inline four cylinder engine with a six speed automatic transmission (with optional manual shifting). Four wheel independent suspension keeps the ride smooth, while an optional Eco driving mode manages power and fuel economy.
Without moving up the trim tree (which introduces leather seats, improved sound systems, etc.), $22K gets you height-adjustable driver’s seat, remote keyless door locks, power windows with one touch movement, Bluetooth and a dash display featuring multiple modes (trip counter, external temperature and tachometer).
All expected safety features comes standard, including four-wheel ABS, front and rear airbags, alarm system, stability control and traction control. All totaled, that’s a lot of vehicle for a price tag a savvy buyer could probably talk down below $22,000.
The ride quality is carefree. The drive is a little softer be necessity in Eco mode to save on gas, but in its normal state the Tucson handle properly and securely — avoiding too high a center of gravity that often plagues these vehicles.
Complaints might include a slight power problem. In a vehicle this side, it’s not uncommon to have a four cylinder engine, but a couple more cylinders would do wonders. Of course, that would immediately up the price. Also, the transmission feels a little lazy. While it never misses a shift, the transitions feel a little late.
If you want to spend more, you can find beefier, faster, more luxurious Crossovers. Still, for the price we’re talking, the Hyundai Tucson is well placed as an entry level step into the small SUV market.
