Let's dive into the Hyundai Tucson Sport 2017! This compact SUV was a popular choice, and for good reason. We’re going to break down everything you need to know about its specs, performance, features, and more. If you're considering buying one or just curious, you've come to the right place. So, buckle up and let's get started!

Overview of the Hyundai Tucson Sport 2017

The Hyundai Tucson Sport 2017 represented a compelling option in the crowded compact SUV market. It aimed to blend practicality with a touch of sporty flair, offering a slightly more engaging driving experience than the base models. The Sport trim sat in a sweet spot within the Tucson lineup, providing a balance of features and performance without breaking the bank. It's crucial to understand where this model fits to appreciate its unique value proposition.

When Hyundai introduced the Tucson Sport in 2017, they were targeting buyers who wanted more than just basic transportation. They wanted an SUV that looked good, felt good to drive, and came with a decent array of tech and comfort features. The Sport trim was designed to deliver on all these fronts, making it an attractive choice for young professionals, small families, and anyone looking for a versatile and stylish vehicle.

The Tucson Sport distinguished itself from lower trims with several key upgrades. These included a more powerful engine, sport-tuned suspension, and unique styling elements. The exterior featured distinctive alloy wheels, a sporty front grille, and subtle badging that set it apart from the more pedestrian models. Inside, the Sport trim offered upgraded seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and additional tech features that enhanced the overall driving experience. These enhancements were carefully chosen to create a more engaging and enjoyable vehicle.

In terms of market positioning, the Tucson Sport competed with other sporty compact SUVs like the Mazda CX-5 and the Ford Escape. These vehicles also offered enhanced performance and styling compared to their base models. However, the Tucson Sport stood out with its combination of value, features, and Hyundai's reputation for reliability. It offered a compelling alternative for buyers who wanted a sporty SUV without sacrificing practicality or affordability. The design of the Tucson Sport reflected Hyundai's commitment to providing vehicles that appeal to a wide range of tastes and preferences.

Engine and Performance Specs

When it comes to the Hyundai Tucson Sport 2017, the engine and performance are key highlights. This model boasts a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which delivers a peppy and responsive driving experience. Let's get into the details.

The 1.6-liter turbocharged engine is the heart of the Tucson Sport. It produces around 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This is a significant upgrade from the base engine offered in other Tucson trims. The turbocharger provides a boost of power, especially at lower RPMs, making the Tucson Sport feel quick and agile in city driving and during highway merging. The engine is designed to offer a balance of performance and fuel efficiency, making it a practical choice for daily use.

The transmission paired with this engine is a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. This transmission offers quick and smooth gear changes, contributing to the sporty feel of the Tucson. The dual-clutch design allows for faster shifts compared to a traditional automatic transmission, enhancing the overall driving experience. It also helps to improve fuel economy by keeping the engine in its optimal power range. The combination of the turbocharged engine and the dual-clutch transmission makes the Tucson Sport a fun and engaging SUV to drive.

In terms of performance, the Tucson Sport can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 7.5 seconds. This is a respectable time for a compact SUV and demonstrates the engine's responsiveness. The Sport trim also features a sport-tuned suspension, which provides better handling and a more controlled ride. The suspension is calibrated to reduce body roll during cornering, giving the driver more confidence and control. The steering is also more responsive, providing precise feedback and enhancing the overall driving experience. These performance enhancements make the Tucson Sport a standout in its class.

Fuel economy is another important consideration for SUV buyers, and the Tucson Sport delivers decent numbers in this area. It achieves around 25 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. These figures are competitive with other SUVs in its class and reflect the engine's efficiency. The combination of the turbocharged engine, dual-clutch transmission, and optimized aerodynamics helps to maximize fuel economy without sacrificing performance. This makes the Tucson Sport a practical choice for drivers who want a sporty SUV without paying a penalty at the gas pump.

Interior Features and Technology

Inside the Hyundai Tucson Sport 2017, you'll find a range of features and tech designed to enhance your driving experience. Let's take a closer look at what this model offers.

The Tucson Sport comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen display that serves as the central hub for the infotainment system. This touchscreen provides access to various features, including audio controls, smartphone integration, and vehicle settings. The interface is intuitive and easy to use, allowing drivers to quickly access the information they need. The touchscreen is also responsive, providing quick and accurate inputs. This makes it easy to navigate through the menus and control the various functions of the infotainment system.

Smartphone integration is a key feature of the Tucson Sport, with support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This allows drivers to connect their smartphones to the infotainment system and access their favorite apps, music, and navigation services. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide a seamless and integrated experience, allowing drivers to stay connected while on the road. They also offer voice control, allowing drivers to make calls, send messages, and control other functions without taking their hands off the wheel.

In terms of audio, the Tucson Sport comes with a 6-speaker audio system that delivers clear and balanced sound. While it may not be a premium audio system, it provides a decent listening experience for most drivers. The system includes AM/FM radio, satellite radio, and USB input, allowing drivers to listen to their favorite music from various sources. The audio system is also easy to control using the touchscreen display or the steering wheel-mounted controls. This allows drivers to adjust the volume, change tracks, and select different audio sources without being distracted from the road.

Other notable interior features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, sport seats, and automatic climate control. The leather-wrapped steering wheel provides a comfortable and tactile grip, enhancing the driving experience. The sport seats offer additional bolstering, providing better support during cornering. Automatic climate control allows drivers to set their desired temperature and maintain a comfortable cabin environment. These features add to the overall comfort and convenience of the Tucson Sport, making it a pleasant place to spend time.

Safety Features

Safety is paramount, and the Hyundai Tucson Sport 2017 includes a comprehensive suite of features to protect you and your passengers. Let's explore the safety aspects of this SUV.

The Tucson Sport comes standard with a rearview camera, which provides a clear view of the area behind the vehicle when backing up. This is a valuable feature that helps to prevent accidents and make parking easier. The rearview camera displays the image on the touchscreen display, providing a wide-angle view of the surroundings. It also includes dynamic guidelines that move as the steering wheel is turned, helping drivers to accurately position the vehicle. The rearview camera is a standard feature on all Tucson Sport models, reflecting Hyundai's commitment to safety.

Blind-spot monitoring is another important safety feature that is available on the Tucson Sport. This system uses sensors to detect vehicles in the driver's blind spots and provides a visual alert in the side mirrors. If the driver attempts to change lanes while a vehicle is in the blind spot, the system will provide an audible warning to prevent a collision. Blind-spot monitoring is a valuable feature that helps to reduce the risk of accidents and improve overall safety. It is particularly useful on highways and in heavy traffic.

Rear cross-traffic alert is also available, which helps to detect vehicles approaching from the sides when backing out of a parking space or driveway. This system uses sensors to monitor the area behind the vehicle and provides an audible and visual warning if a vehicle is detected. Rear cross-traffic alert is particularly useful in situations where visibility is limited, such as when backing out of a crowded parking lot. It helps to prevent accidents and improve safety.

In addition to these features, the Tucson Sport also includes standard safety equipment such as anti-lock brakes, stability control, and a suite of airbags. Anti-lock brakes prevent the wheels from locking up during hard braking, allowing the driver to maintain control of the vehicle. Stability control helps to prevent skidding and loss of control by applying the brakes to individual wheels. The airbag system includes front airbags, side airbags, and curtain airbags, providing protection for all occupants in the event of a collision. These safety features work together to provide a comprehensive level of protection for the driver and passengers.

Pros and Cons of the Hyundai Tucson Sport 2017

Every vehicle has its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of the Hyundai Tucson Sport 2017 to help you make an informed decision.

Pros:

• Peppy Engine: The 1.6-liter turbocharged engine provides a noticeable boost in power compared to the base models. This makes the Tucson Sport more enjoyable to drive, especially in city traffic and on the highway.
• Sporty Handling: The sport-tuned suspension and responsive steering enhance the driving experience, making the Tucson Sport feel more agile and controlled.
• User-Friendly Tech: The infotainment system is easy to use, and the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto makes it simple to stay connected on the road.
• Stylish Design: The Tucson Sport features unique styling elements that set it apart from other Tucson trims, giving it a more sporty and attractive appearance.
• Comprehensive Safety Features: The inclusion of features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert enhances safety and provides added peace of mind.

Cons:

• Fuel Economy: While decent, the fuel economy is not class-leading, especially compared to some of its competitors.
• Ride Quality: The sport-tuned suspension can make the ride a bit firm on rough roads, which may not be ideal for all drivers.
• Interior Materials: While the interior is well-designed, some of the materials feel a bit cheap compared to other SUVs in its class.
• Limited Cargo Space: The cargo area is smaller than some of its competitors, which may be a concern for those who need to haul a lot of gear.
• Availability of Features: Some of the advanced safety features are only available on higher trims, which may require buyers to spend more to get the features they want.

Conclusion

The Hyundai Tucson Sport 2017 is a solid choice if you're looking for a compact SUV with a bit of sporty flair. Its turbocharged engine, sport-tuned suspension, and user-friendly tech make it a compelling option. While it has some drawbacks, its strengths make it a worthwhile consideration in the competitive SUV market. If you value performance, style, and technology, the Tucson Sport could be the right SUV for you. Always consider your priorities and driving needs to ensure that the vehicle meets your requirements.

Ultimately, test driving the Tucson Sport and comparing it to other SUVs in its class is the best way to determine if it is the right fit for you. Consider factors such as your budget, driving habits, and the features that are most important to you. With careful research and consideration, you can make an informed decision and find the perfect SUV to meet your needs.