The GLS ($16,895) comes with power windows, door locks, heated power mirrors, an 80-watt AM/FM/CD audio system, remove keyless entry, roof-rack side rails, and 16-inch alloy wheels. However, air conditioning is optional ($900). It comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission, but is also available with a four-speed automatic ($18,895), which includes the air conditioning. The CD/MP3/cassette audio system is an option packaged with cruise control ($450). The four-wheel-drive GLS ($18,395) comes with the five-speed manual transmission only.

The SE comes with the V6 and front-wheel drive ($20,895) or four-wheel drive ($22,395). The SE also features upgraded cloth trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, a more powerful audio system with cassette and MP3, a trip computer with two modes, air conditioning, front wiper de-icer, illuminated vanity mirrors, gray lower body cladding, a tire pressure monitor, cruise control, fog lights, and wider tires. Mirrors and door handles are body color instead of black. Options include a power tilt-and-slide sunroof, heated front seats, upgraded 200-watt audio system ($1,650).

The Limited comes with front-wheel drive ($22,245) or four-wheel drive ($23,745) and features leather seats and door trim, heated front seats, automatic climate control with outside temperature display, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, windshield wiper de-icer, and a 200-watt sound system with a six-CD changer. Lower bodyside cladding is body-color rather than gray. A power tilt-and-slide sunroof and a 200-watt CD changer package ($1,300) is optional.

Safety features on the Tucson include electronic stability control, four-wheel antilock disc brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), and traction control. It comes with side-impact airbags for torso protection and side curtain airbags designed to provide head protection for passengers in both rows. Tucson has earned a five-star safety rating from the U.S. government (NHTSA) in front and side impacts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which conducts crash tests differently than the government, has rated the Tucson quot;acceptablequot; in its frontal offset and side-impact crash tests. The system rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal or poor.