Used 2005 Hyundai Tucson SUV Consumer Reviews
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6 Year Review
Since the last 5 year review, have solved a few issues. #1) Removing the interior dome lights have solved the battery going dead problem. Maybe its related to the automatic lamp dimmer circuit which activates when you close the door. #2) The trans-axle has not leaked again, and is working fine since repaired a year ago. #3) The door remotes are still intermittent, but I can live with that. #4) Replaced the tires with Kumho tires, and must say they ride nice. #5) I have confidence once again in the vehicle, and now feel the Purchase was worth it.
10 Year Review
LX 2.7L V6 4WD. I have 63K miles on the vehicle as of today. Just replaced the rear brake pads. Change the oil once per year. Vehicle is still running fine with no problems. I still enjoy driving it. This was a good value for the money. During the 10 years, there were only 3 main issues. The trans-axle leaking oil, The battery going dead randomly, and the intermittent door locks is ongoing.
- GLS 4dr SUVMSRP: $3,98530 mi away
- GL 4dr SUVMSRP: $7,990145 mi away
- LX 4dr SUVMSRP: $4,495170 mi away
Best car I've ever owned !
I bought my 2005 Tucson in June 2006 from CARMAX and paid about $16,000 with about 21,000 miles on it. I bought it for the cargo space. I was a bit concerned about a 4 cyl since my husband and I live in the mountains of North Georgia with some serious roads and hills. However, our concerns have never been realized in that this car can hold its own against many other more expensive cars. It takes to the snow with the front wheel drive like no rear wheel drive car can. I did buy chains but only use them when it's really heavy wet snow. Otherwise this car just goes and goes. The mileage is not the greatest and that really is the only flaw. This car now has 78.984 miles on it and has only had regular 3,000 mile oil changes. I have never even had to replace any kind of light bulb ! The back seats stay down most of the time to maximize cargo space. I used it as my pick up truck until my recently purchased Chevy 04 Silverado became my official pick up truck. The cargo space behind the rear seats when up, is poor but then I never have the seats up anyway. The dash board plastics have held up unbelievably well and none of the print to name the items has worn off...not even on the electric windows. The ESC performs beautifully and was a standard installation long before other car makers even offered it ! Tucson was ahead of its time. The seats have worn well although I put seat covers on just after I bought the car. The fact that the back window opens independently of the bottom portion is the envy of neighbors who have SUVs without this option. I can just open the window, reach in the back and pull something out without having to open the whole back door. My Tucson may not be worth much in resale but given how well its performed to date, there is no way I would sell it ! I read about all the recalls on new cars and just smile. No recalls on my Tucson. I just love it !!!
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60,000 miles and now my engine just shuts off
I love my Tucson, and I have not had any issues until I brought it in back in August for its 60,000 mile warranty check up, and Now randomly my engine just shuts off while driving, this is scary. I have read up on many forrums that this is a problem that occurs in the 2005 Tucson. Shouldn't there be a recall???? This is dangerous!
I'm going to miss you.
Durable, reliable and fun. First car I ever had and I loved it. I put that thing down ATV trails and logging routes and it took it like a champ. Quick pick-up, quiet, and very sound-proof. Surprising room when seats folded down. It lacked superior gas milage, but averaging at about 20 mpg, it wasn't too bad. Also wasn't impressed when the back window fell off into my hands after the hinges somehow corroded. Rusting was a problem inside back door. I installed an after market sound system (dash stereo, all 4 speakers and a subwoofer). Stereo installation was a pain in the you know what, but the speakers and sub wired with incredible ease. Got me where I needed to go and had fun doing it.
Going great at 165k
I have the Tucson with the 4cyl, FWD living in a snowy town in the northeast. It lacks acceleration and doesn't have a lot of frills. But it has held up well. No major issues except a transmission repair that cost about $500 in 2013. It had a surprising amount of cargo room. I was able to transport treadmills, large assembled 6 drawer dresser, a futon and many more. Hoping to get another 5 more years out of it
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I'm going to miss the Blueberry!
I purchased this vehicle in 2008, it was 3 years old with 30k miles, traded it at 138k. (It's blue; thus the name "Blueberry). Even at 11 years old this vehicle ran great! I never had any problems with it; always got me where I needed to be. Handled perfectly in all road conditions. Economical on gas. Easy for me to get in and out of, but my husband, who is 6'4" had a bit of difficulty. He was always cramped when driving it with those long legs! Great for loading groceries. Plenty of room in the back, if more was needed we just put the seats down. Being an '05 it didn't have the technology of newer vehicles, but it suited my purpose. I did get spoiled with the heated seats, heated mirrors and wipers! Also enjoyed the 6 cd player and it even had a cassette player. Great sound system. Heat and air never failed. A comfortable vehicle for trips. I only traded because I wanted something newer.
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Strong buy. Love my blue Tucson!
The first Tucson I bought was a 2006 gls 0 miles and I loved it! Then gave it to my mom and bought a BMW 325i 2006 after taking care of the bimmer and dealing with "way to expensive" service and maintenance fee decided to sell it and I did. I feel so much better now I bought an used 2005 Hyundai Tucson gls 4wd and I love it! I feel so good driving my car and going to Mexico 650 miles roundtrip from Las Vegas! With 70,000 miles on it it drives and feel like new. I would definitely buy another one and definitely recommend it to family and friends and you guys! Peace of mind, Hyundai never let me down!
5 year review
Battery will go dead at infrequent random times. I installed a new battery, but same problem. Dealer has no idea how to fix it. The trans-axle began to leak oil and make a burning smell. The dealer repaired it alright. Front tires are already worn out at 38k miles. The door remote control function is intermittent. I find myself shifting in manual mode most of the time, to obtain the most power and gas mileage. Also, the warranty may appear good at first, but the required maintenance schedules should be reviewed before buying. Would I buy this vehicle again? I don't think so. Mostly because of the battery issue.
Amazing Vehicle
This car rides and handles like a luxury vehicle, has superior technology for the price, and has been one of the most reliable and dependable cars I've owned. I've had the car for 11 years and 90,000 miles and don't want to let it go. The interior amenities are exceedingly well engineered for comfort and convenience. In fact I have had only two complaints: the original tires were junk and didn't last even 20,000 miles. And the road noise is excessive. Excellent suspension. I paid $20,000 and it has recently been appraised for $5,000 for sale to a private party. Only $15,000 depreciation over 11 years. Hyundai is an exceptional company and manufactures an exceptional automobile.
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Bad experience
I bought this car when it was only 2yrs old. After 3 months, the engine light came on. I went to different mechanics including the dealer and all said front catalyst converter needs changed. I spent $1200 to fix it. A week after that, the engine light came back on, this time the rear catalyst converter needed changed, so another $1200 needs spent. I couldn't even pass emission test. Another problem is the radiator fan. I'm driving on the freeway and i see smoke coming from the engine, this time it's radiator fan, $500 and to make the matters worse, most parts have to be bought from the dealer and it's damn expensive. Now it's the front brakes that needs fixed. Most interior parts breaks.
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Love my Tuson
My wife and I both own Tusons 2005&2011 and we both love them.We have had no issues other than normal Maintenance (Battery,Tires,Oil changes,Tune ups)The 2005 just turned over 100,000 miles and is still going strong. In 2010 I hit and killed 3 deer and I did not get a scratch !! Everything during the crash did what it was designed to do.I did not have any problems getting parts (Grill,both head lights,radiator ,fog lights both front fenders and a door skin to repair the $5000.00 in damages.I would buy another One in a heart beat I just found out that BOTH axles are badly rusted through .Not good news at all
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7 Year review
LX 2.7L V6 4WD vehicle has been running fine. I only have 48K miles on the vehicle. I just replaced the front brake pads. I change the oil once per year. Hard to believe, but I enjoy this SUV more and more with each passing year. I like this original body style more than the new Tucson design. It has better visibility and allows less sun on your face. Also, I prefer a V6 engine. It still has more torque than the new Turbo 4 cylinder engines.
Tough little SUV
The car was well assembled. I is over 11 years and everything works fine. I recomend this liitle SUV for everybody. It is not a gas saver in town. But great gas milage on highway. Engine position (V6) hurts DYS little maintenance.
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Better than Expected
I've come to enjoy this buggy more and more. It's an adult car! Even the back seat is adjustable for adults. You set the controls and it does what you'd expect. ESP off and 4 Wheel lock work up to 25 mph then go to normal safety mode. When you're bogged down below 25 it kicks back in.. Great bad weather car!
Terrific Tucson
Love the visibility, ease of getting in and out, and storage capacity. Back seats easy to fold and go completely flat. Passengers comment on good leg room in front and back. Drawback: cabin noise on highways.
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The Buzzing Tucson-We Can't Hear It
My Tucson has been a nightmare since I bought it. Within the first thousand miles,I noticed a loud buzzing/whirring sound from the engine. At idle it was very annoying. I took it back to the dealer on two occaisions and was told:"We can't hear anything like you describe". I even requested that a new Tucson be started alongside my Tucson for comparison. The difference was dramatic but I got the same response:"No difference here!". I tokk the SUV to an independent mechanic who used a stethescope and made a diagnosis of a timing belt problem. The dealer refused the diagnosis of course and basically said:You'll get that". Not worth the hassle of going through customer service.
Great Value, for the price
Bought the 05 Tucson in October and so far so good. The exterior is flashy and the interior isn't half bad either. the small v6 is good on gas and still has the pep that it should. Gear timing could be spaced a little more but i use the manual power shifter most of the time anyway. Good stock 6 speaker sound system with good midrange. Seat adjustment knobs are a little funny to play with; haven't quite found that perfect setting. 6 airbags are wonderful and give me peace of mind. Decent MPG. A great little sport cross for the price. I am impressed.
200,000 and still going strong
This was a great little car I had no trouble with it the entire time I had it the seats weren’t even wore out when I traded it in I just needed a third row seat
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lemon is too nice for this car
bought at 116,000 miles. i go beyond recomended maintenace. changing all fluids , etc. currently have 163,000 on car. have replaced purge control valve, transmissions cooler lines, have misfiring #5 cylinder, rear plugs are too hard to access, timing belt and related parts replaced 3 times. all problems started about 150,000 miles. would not buy another hyundai again.
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Poor resale /Trade-in value
I love my Tuscon, but having a few problems, when you go through standing water you lose power steering and a battery light comes on. Scared I will lose control. Also off and on the power locks will not work have to unlock each door manually.
SUV that drives like a car
This vehicle is far superior to my RAV 4 except for one thing - gas mileage. doing all city I get 17mpg and during the best possible driving conditions I only get about 21.8. That was a huge disappointment to me. It is a smooth ride, fun to drive, and feels great. Too much plastic in the interior but still well worth getting. Except for the mileage and now at over $3/gl that is a big deal, it is a great little car.
Best Mid-size SUV out there
It is fun and drives very well. The suspension is great and it handles better on curves than other SUV's I've driven. The engine is smooth runing and the automatic shifts VERY smoothly. My only complaint is wind noise at 55 MPH. It could be a little quieter.The sound system is great! And best of all, the seats are comfortable. I'd have no trouble recommending this car to anyone who is unsure about buying a model in its first year on the market.
Not so manly??
Ok, so I have been dogged out for buying a NOT SO MANLY vehicle. I don't need to put the manly in the vehicle, I have enough of my own. ha ha ha. I used my manly brain with this purchase and my brain muscles flexed well. This has been a smart buy. Good performance, excellent design inside and out, and a pretty smooth looking vehicle as well. It certainly doesn't hurt to have a great warranty too so I don't have to flex my bank account muscles.
So Far So Good
I have about 1900 miles on my Tucson, So far it's been fun to dirve, a little bigger feel to maneuver than my previous Forester, but I am getting used to it. I could use a touch more mpg which is hovering just under 20 mpg (mostly city). I don't expect that to improve though some have said it will. I believe it is a well-made vehicle with a lot of extras for the money. As other have mentioned, a little less engine noise would be appreicated, but it's not a problem. The wind noise on my Forester was horrendous so this ride is much quieter. Handles and feels like a car, comfortable to ride and drive. Recommended for any seeking an economically-priced reliable, versatile vehicle.
I love it!
I absolutely love this car! I bought it almost two years ago and I can't wait to upgrade and get the new Tuscon! The design is sleek and the size is perfect for a family of 4, with a lot of storage space in the back. I've only had to complete basic maintenance. The interior design isn't a 10, but it serves it's purpose. My mother in law drove my car (she travels a lot and gets rental cars fairly often) and she loves my car compared to many others that she's driven.
Best Vehicle I've Owned
I'm in my mid 40s & I have owned many cars over the past 25 years. This Tucson is by far the best vehicle that I've ever had the pleasure to drive. I currently own a 2005 Toyota Matrix AWD, too. The Toyota is not in the same class as the Hyundai. I have no interest in driving the Toyota if the Hyundai Tucson is available. The problem is my entire family chooses the Tucson if they need to go anywhere. The car is very reliable, great in ice & snow, has very good visibility, plush & supportive seating, good power, smooth & comfortable ride, the sound system is second to none - What else can I say?
Disapointed
Steers like a truck. Transmission shifts to many times, when not needed! Poor gas mileage. Large blind spot in rear side windows. Black fender molding chips easily and shows white.
Most Worthless Best Built Vehicle
If you're looking for a vehicle that will get you 8 - 12 MPG City and no more than 21 Hwy (at 60 MPH), a concealed cargo area of no more than 8.4 cubic feet, tepid acceleration and a slow shifting transmission, the Tucson is for you. This is one of the most useless vehicles I have ever seen. You can't carry anything over 15" tall under the parcel shelf (or 24" deep with the back seats up). Four people can not take a Tucson on a trip and hide their valuables. In real world driving, a 350 HP Escalade gets better gas mileage than this underpowered piece of crap. It is however, extremely well built. If you want great build quality with no cargo space and pathetic MPG, this one's for you.
Hesitate - BUT Love My Purchase
Even though Hyundai has come a long way, I was a little hesitate to go to the dealership to look. Once I looked, I was sold on it. Took car to the mountains, and it climbed those hills like a champ. I have had no problems at all. Sure I would like better gas mileage but this is a 6 cycle SUV. Can't have both. Would definitely recommend to everyone. Love the warranty and extended warranty. I'm covered for 10 yrs 100,000 miles bumper to bumper and have free oil and filter changes for 3 years from the dealership. I'm sitting pretty on the maintenance!
Nice little SUV with a BIG warranty
Nice little SUV with a GREAT warranty. The 4WD doesn't get great gas mileage, bu the thing is sure footed in rain or snow. Dealerships are friendly and service is very pleasant. It's no wonder people are not treating these vehicles lightly, anymore.
No Problems at all
Have been completely satisfied. No repairs needed, only routine maintenance. Love the roomy interior and the standard features
Tuscon 2005
Very fun-to-drive car. Very comfortable and good looking (makes good impression, especiall while it's snowing ). It's easy to drive (in winter as well), very powerful engine. Very reliable!
Tuscon SUV I Love It
I traded in a gas hog Ford Expedition. This Tuscon is more fun to drive. Easier to park, and twice the gas mileage. I love it. Very peppy acceleration. Fits into my garage. Has every accessory I wanted included in the price. Six airbags. Antilock brakes. 4 wheel disk brakes. Very safe. I am very happy.
Tucson 2005
The Tucson drives nicely with good handling charistics.
First Time Buyer
The Hyundai Tucson is a great buy for typical commuter driving. Lots of standard features especially safety. Mileage could be better but it is taller than a sedan and with wider tires and I prefer to sit higher up. If you have a typical 30 minute commute, go Hyundai! No problems to speak of. Car is well built.
3 month impression
Handles very nice. Light steering, good road control and power in the mountains. Handled very well in snow and sand. Gas mileage no better than my 95 chevy blazer (17 -21 mpg). Dealership has poor sales service, don't go to Bob Lewis! Paint easily damaged by bird droppings. Good stereo system. Relatively quite ride. Good cargo space for a small suv. Driver and passenger seats very comfortable. Not too many blind spots. Can get 4 full grown men in the care with golf clubs! Recommendation: fix gas mileage and dealership.
LOVE MY TUCSON
I took my 2001 Hyundai Elantra to the dealership for oil change, tune up, etc. I left with a 2005 Hyundai Tucson. I absolutely love this car. I love the look, the style, the interior. This car is my baby. One week after I bought it my best friends husband backed in to the front bumper and SMASHED it all in. Did $1200 work of just cosmetic damage. Good thing is the engine is placed far enough back that it didn't touch it, bad thing is the bumper really CRUMBLED. I was only parked 5 feet away from him and it did that much damage. Hard to get parts in for this car right now b/c it's so new (took 2 weeks to get front bumper)....SO DON'T WRECK THEM!!!
First New Car
I'm an army guy and I just bought my Tucson fully loaded 3,000 miles ago. It has been wonderful. I moved from GA to upstate NY and needed the winter features and 4WD. I love the car, the price and the warranty. The SanteFe I drove did not fit my 6'4 frame as well as the Tucson does. I got the extended warranty option which is 10 years bumper to bumper and its transferable! The price was the same as the sunroof. I testdrove all of its competitors and thought it over for couple weeks. I love the car.
neat car
have 2k miles on car it handles beautiful-very well built-i drive it sometimes just for fun-my first non american car-had 22 new u.s. cars over the years got tired of them nickel diming me on repairs after 50k miles or so.i enjoy this car almost as much as my 67 gto{restored}-thank you
Excellent All-Purpose SUV
I absolutely love my new Hyundai Tucson. It drives beautifully, is comfortable, is good on gas, and is very stylish. My only disappointment is that it is sluggish on hills even though it has a 6-cylinder in it. It often has to shift down, just to maintain driving speed when going up inclines. Otherwise, I haven't found a small SUV that fits my own personal needs as well.
Love this SUV
This is a great truck. It meets my needs for something fun to drive, comfortable, and with a good basic sound system. It meets my husband's needs for something that looks "rugged" that can handle hauling all of our camping equipment for our trips to the North Shore. It handled great through the MN winter and is a fun truck to zip around in.
Hungry at the Pump
I have put my first 3000 miles on this truck. So far no problems. Comfortable for me and enough room for those Home depot trips. Rides quiet and smooth. Good handling with nice turn radius.
Happy Tuscon Owner
We had waited for the Tuscon to come out for a year. Just wanted to see what it looked like and how it drove. After seeing a commercial at our local theater a couple of months ago, (I was hooked). I tend to hold on to a vehicle for many years reluctant to trade but after seeing and test driving the Tuscon I had to have it. I reluctantly gave up my Elantra of five years, but I am very happy with the change. The Tuscon is very easy to drive and everything is very easy to operate. My first tank of gas showed the vehicles performance at 22 miles to the gallon. I expect it will get better after engine break-in. Thank you Hyundai for coming through with another great vehicle.
2005 Tuscon(or is that a Lexus or BMW?)
I've owned the Tuscon for a month and have put a 1,000 miles on it.The fit and finish of this vehicle is very impressive. The interior is quiet; no squeaks or rattles and you do not have that cheap plastic feel surrounding you as you drive. It feels like your driving a well thought out solid vehicle. If some people have not heard...HYUNDAI has arrived. These are not the same throw away Hyundai's of the past. They have really improved in every aspect.
Great Buy.
Overall I think it's an excellent mid entry suv. It's defintely not the largest, but it does manage to be rather spacious and comfortable considering it's smaller size. Not cramped like most small suvs. With all the standard features and optional upgrades, I think I made a great purchase.
Comfort and Style
Comfortable ride! It's like sitting at home on my sofa. The independent 4 wheel suspension, leather seats, and low noise all add up to a smooth driving experience. The V6 engines performance is fine! Nobody buys one of these for a race car. Also, as a previous original owner of a 1989 Jeep Wrangler, and current owner of a 2000 Mustang, I have experienced many bumpy rides down the freeway during long vacation trips. We no longer have this inconvenience!
Hyundai Tucson LX
I have been a car owner since 1952. This is the most fun to drive of any car I have had. The front wheel drive is adequately powered to make the steering delicious, especially with a small turning radius. This gives outstanding control. In other words, you go very clealy to whereever you point the vehicle. You have to try it to feel it! The interior is "vanilla" in good industrial esthetic taste, but for this price, considering every other luxury feature, I can't complain.
Love my 05 Tucson
I've driven 05 Tucson for 4+ years now, and I've been very happy. So far just changing wears and tears like tires, breaks, oils, wipers, belts, etc. No major problems at all so far after 71,000 miles. My old Volvo usually cost me annually $2-3000 for major repairs with constant halts on highways. Happy to get rid of it. Living in East coast, went through a few big snow storms, and no problems at all with 2WD(front), and ETS always helped me staying on the road. I also took many long trips to Chicago, Main, Virginia, etc, and very comfortable with 5 people in the car with luggage. I also used this car a lot for moving, excellent when frnt&rear seats completely go plat, lots of cargo space.
Great vehicle, bad mgp
When I purchased the Tuscan, I was looking at the Santefee.... I was drawn to the Tuscan for more leg room ... (I am 6'3") I have enjoyed the comfort up front, but the mpg is not that good. I have taken it thru snow, responded well, I have taken it on vacations, good too. I have never had to replace anything other than the drive belt. This car is really a reliable vehicle. It just stinks when it comes to mpg.