Spoke with my Hyundai corporate trainer yesterday. He said there are
currently only about 12 Tucsons in the country (USA). He expects to see the
first ones hit the dealerships during the first half of October. Apparently
there was a last minute spec revision (they all come with ABS now, but
that's just a rumor). I also saw a photograph of the 2006 Santa Fe - looks
like a cross between the Tucson and the Toureg, but bigger.
Other tidbits:
2005 Santa Fe has been mildly re-styled. The "scoops" on the side of the
car have been smoothed, the steering wheel is now black, the rear door
handle is chrome, and the rear taillights have been revised. Santa Fe is
all-new for 2006.
2005 Tiburon has a new front end and "gills".
2005 Elantra will feature the 5-door body style but with quasi-GLS trim.
Externally the 5-door GLS will look very similar to the current 5-door GT,
but the interior will be cloth, not leather. Also the 2005 GT will have the
standard CD player, not the 2004's Kenwood. Expect all-new Elantra by 2007.
2005 Sonata is basically unchanged. Expect all-new Sonata for 2006.
2005 Accent is basically unchanged. Expect all-new Accent by mid-model
year. Contrary to popular belief, Hyundai is NOT abandoning the Accent.
2005 XG is basically unchanged. Expect all-new XG by 2007 (or possibly a
replacement for XG).
Pickup truck and minivan - also planned, nothing definite yet.
As always, take these comments with a grain of salt.
Jeffrey Bruss
Salesman
Thomason Hyundai, Gladstone, OR
