How Many Miles Will a Hyundai Tucson Last?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you drive a vehicle you really like, you probably hope it will last for a long time. With proper maintenance and care, it likely will. That means regular trips to the mechanic, not driving too aggressively, and getting any concerning noises or warning lights checked out right away. But what if you have a Hyundai Tucson? How many miles can you expect a Hyundai Tucson to last?

Can the Hyundai Tucson last more than 200,000 miles?

The Hyundai Tucson can be expected to last for about 200,000 miles, which can be about 15 years, says Vehicle History. An owner posting to Vehicle History had a 2009 Tucson with 218,000 miles. Another, posting to the Edmunds forum, had a 2007 Tucson with 200,000 miles.

Hyundai is one of the vehicle brands known to have long-lasting vehicles, says The Drive. It joins Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Ford, and Acura as brands that have reliable vehicles that last a long time.

However, the Hyundai Tucson isn’t currently one of the vehicles most likely to reach 200,000 miles, according to a study from iSeeCars.com. The ones that have the most vehicles that reach 200,000 miles are the Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Sequoia, Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition, and Toyota 4Runner. There were 16 total vehicles that were above the average of 1 percent of that vehicle reaching 200,000 miles.

Modern vehicles last a long time

The Hyundai Tucson | SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images

RELATED: Does the 2021 Hyundai Tucson Have a Panoramic Sunroof?

Today’s vehicles do last much longer than those in the past, even compared to just a couple of decades ago, says Car and Driver.  They last in part because their parts are built to hold up longer. These improvements also mean owners end up paying less for repairs throughout the vehicle’s lifespan.

Modern vehicles still on the road have an average age of a little more than 11 years, and people drive roughly 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. However, new vehicles today are all expected to last for 200,000 miles. Electric vehicles have an even longer lifespan, lasting up to 300,000 miles.

A few vehicle design changes have helped increase longevity, says Digital Trends. That includes replacing timing belts with timing chains, using anti-corrosive materials, adding additional computerization in the vehicle, using fuel injection in engines, and switching to synthetic oils. In addition, the robotic assembly of vehicles helps make them all the same and increases reliability.

Possible reliability concerns with older model Hyundai Tucson SUVs

While the Hyundai Tucson should last for 200,000 miles, the model has been around since 2005, and not all model years are equally reliable. With a large enough problem, an owner is likely to decide the vehicle has reached the end of its lifespan.

There are four generations of Tucson models. Consumer Reports didn’t provide reliability ratings for the first generation, but the reliability has been improving in recent years.

The second generation of the Tucson ran from 2010 to 2015. Not all years were rated, but 2012 has a four out of five rating for reliability, while 2015 has a one out of five. Model years 2011 and 2013 both have three out of five.

The third generation lasted from 2016 to 2020. While 2016 and 2017 both received a one out of five rating for reliability, there have been huge improvements since then. Both 2018 and 2020 received five out of five ratings, and 2019 received four out of five. Redesigned for 2021, the new fourth-generation Tucson has a predicted reliability rating of four out of five.

Like many other modern vehicles, the Hyundai Tucson is expected to last for 200,000 miles or more. How long it actually lasts depends mainly on how well the owner maintains the vehicle, but the most reliable Tucson model years are from 2018 and newer.

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Honda Accord: A History of the Perennially Popular Sedan

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Honda Accord has been around for more than 40 years now. We take a look at the history of this powerhouse to see how it’s developed. As tastes change, though, will the Honda Accord remain a best seller?

A brief history of the Honda Accord

The Honda Accord, along with the Toyota Camry, set a new standard for the family car, says Automobile. It arrived for the 1977 model year, joining the already successful Honda Civic.

The first Accord was a two-door hatchback. It had a 68-hp 1.6-liter CVCC engine paired with either a five-speed manual or a two-speed semi-automatic transmission. This engine sometimes had trouble starting.

It offered, “precise steering, sharp handling, impressive fuel economy, and [a] comfortable interior,” points out Automobile. However, it wasn’t a performance vehicle, going from zero to 60 MPH in 13.8 seconds.

Its big features included service reminders and warning lights. It quickly became a popular seller. A model with air conditioning and power steering arrived in 1978.

A larger 72-hp 1.8-liter engine was added for 1979 when a four-door model became available. In 1980, the car gained a three-speed fully automatic transmission, and a model appeared with leather and power windows.

The second-generation Accord was released in 1982. The car was larger, sportier, and more efficient. In 1984, the car got a refresh along with an 86-hp, 12-valve 1.8-liter Prelude engine. The ride was better in some model years than in others.

In 1986, the third generation arrived. It had flip-up headlights and a larger 2.0-liter engine. This generation settled on the good handling that became a trademark for the Accord. It was still available as either a two-door hatchback or a four-door sedan. A two-door notchback was added in 1988.

The fourth generation from 1990 added five inches of length to the Accord and turned it into a midsize car. The engine was now a 16-valve 125-hp 2.2-liter one. The hatchback disappeared, but a wagon appeared in 1991. A 140-hp engine became available that year as well.

The fifth generation, appearing in 1994, was more rounded. It was also wider and shorter than before, but it still came in coupe, sedan, and wagon models. It now had a 2.2-liter engine with either 130 hp or 145 hp. A 170-hp 2.7-liter V6 engine was added in 1995, but it wasn’t well received.

Another new generation was released in 1998. The wagon disappeared, the sedan was larger, and the coupe had a different style. The engine was either a 2.3-liter four-cylinder, generating 135 hp or 140 hp, or a 3.0-liter V6, with 200 hp. Performance was improved, although transmission issues prompted a class-action lawsuit.

How the Accord transformed in the 2000s

The Honda Accord | Ty Wright/Bloomberg via Getty Images

RELATED: 2021 Honda Accord vs. 2021 Nissan Altima: Which Is the Better Sedan?

The seventh-generation Honda Accord that arrived in 2003 was different from the one sold in Europe and Japan. This Accord was larger and had a 160-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a 240-hp 3.0-liter V6 engine. A manual transmission was available with the V6. The Accord Hybrid was introduced in 2005.

2008 saw the arrival of the eighth-generation Accord. It was larger and qualified as a full-size car. It had more powerful engine options, with a 2.4-liter producing 177 hp or 190 hp and a 3.5-liter V6 producing 268 hp. However, fuel efficiency also improved. The coupe continued to have a distinctive style, and the hybrid was discontinued. This Accord began to appeal to an older demographic and started to see declines in sales.

The ninth generation, which appeared in 2013, returned to being a midsize car. The suspension and power steering were redesigned. The engines were a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, producing 185 hp or 189 hp with sport exhaust, or a 3.5-liter V6, producing 278 hp.

The four-cylinder engine came with a CVT or a six-speed manual transmission, while the V6 came with a six-speed automatic. The Accord Hybrid was reintroduced in 2014. Originally both standard and plug-in hybrids were available, but the plug-in was discontinued after two years.

The tenth generation, which appeared in 2018, was only available as a sedan. It had either a 192-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a 252-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Either a manual transmission or a CVT was available for the 1.5-liter engine, and a 10-speed automatic transmission came with the 2.0-liter engine. The hybrid was also available with new tuning and handling improved. For the first time, in 2021, the manual transmission was no longer available.

The best and worst of the Honda Accord

The Honda Accord has certainly grown over the decades. After inching into full-size car territory, it has returned to being a midsize sedan. Enthusiasts feel the third generation, seventh generation, and tenth generations are the best ones.

The large eighth generation was a bit “soft” to drive, except for the sportier coupe version. Most other generations are great to drive as well. Buyers love that this sedan is reliable and affordable and that it has body shape, engine, and transmission options. 

Like all other vehicles, there are also a few model years that aren’t as fantastic. Some years don’t provide the reliability that the Accord is normally known for. The 2003 model year experienced transmission failures, a problem that also sometimes happened in 2000 and 2001. The 2008 model year had issues with brakes, oil consumption, and uncomfortable seats.

The declining sales of the Honda Accord

RELATED: The Honda Accord Has a History of Being Green and Earning Recommendations

Buyers don’t seem to love the Accord as much as in the past. Looking at Honda Accord sales between 2005 and partway through 2021 in the U.S., sales went down between 2007 and 2011 and then went up through 2014.

Since then, sales have seen a steady decline each year, according to GoodCarBadCar. Unfortunately for the Accord, its declining sales are part of a larger trend that has seen new sedan sales drop by half in 10 years as buyers flock to SUVs and trucks. The coronavirus pandemic only accelerated this trend.

The Honda Accord has a long history as a perennially popular sedan. Despite declining sales, the current generation is among the best.

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Tesla Aftermarket Tuner Unplugged Performance Gets First Of Its Kind

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Tesla keeps a tight grip on its everything. It doesn’t have franchise dealers. It doesn’t advertise. And service is done by Tesla authorized service centers that Tesla owns. What all of this means is that going outside of what Tesla has been able to establish is unheard of. Like, the aftermarket

Unplugged is an official aftermarket Tesla service and repair shop

Unplugged Performance Tesla | Unplugged

So it is more than surprising that an independent Tesla customizing shop has been awarded an official Tesla service and repair shop. Unplugged Performance in Hawthorne, California, has gotten Tesla’s seal of approval. “We are always grateful for our eight-year relationship with our neighbors at Tesla and today we announce something very special to us. Unplugged Performance is now directly authorized for Tesla vehicle service and body repair,” the company announced on Instagram.

Tesla just doesn’t go outside of its own established business practices to authorize outside vendors. Unplugged Performance isn’t the first independent shop to get such authorization, but it is exceedingly rare in the Teslaverse. 

Having Unplugged modify your Tesla won’t void the warranty

Unplugged Performance Tesla Model 3
Unplugged Performance Tesla | Unplugged

RELATED: Does the Latest Tesla Model 3 Performance Update Preview a Faster Cybertruck?

But it is the first that specializes in modifying Teslas. The salient point of that is having Unplugged modify your Tesla won’t void the warranty. So you’re probably wondering what Unplugged Performance does to Teslas? 

They’re mostly known for aftermarket performance and suspension improvements. Bigger brakes and exterior aerodynamic improvements are some of their most popular mods. It will also install racing seats with either a four- or six-point harness and sell 4-point roll bar systems for Model 3, Model S, Model X and Model Y Teslas. 

Unplugged doesn’t modify the performance of motors or batteries

Unplugged modified Tesla
Unplugged Performance Tesla | Unplugged

Interestingly, what Unplugged doesn’t show in their catalog is anything to do with typical aftermarket power mods. You know, like modifying the performance of the motors or batteries. No power booster modules or dual-motor conversions are available. Anything that might void the warranty is not part of Unplugged’s program. 

This goes back to what we said in the beginning about Tesla wanting a tight grip on all aspects of its cars. If it authorized aftermarket power boosters then many buyers might opt for the lowest-power Tesla thinking they can upgrade to a booster later. Tesla loses the extra money from higher-tiered models.  

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What Do Tweeters Do in a Car?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When you get in your car and turn on the radio, you’re most likely accustomed to hearing the sound come from all around you. This is due to the speaker setup that your car has. And although most of the sound that you hear comes from the larger speakers near the floor and behind you, some credit needs to go to the tweeters. But what are tweeters and what do they do?

Tweeters make songs sound sweeter

Car tweeter | Autoguide.com

RELATED: 3 Luxury Cars With Premium Audio Systems

Any stereo system will have a subwoofer and mid-range speakers to cover the low and mid-range of a song. However, the tweeter – which is typically placed higher on the car’s door panels or dashboard – takes care of the high tones in any song.

According to car sound pro, a tweeter is a speaker that has been “uniquely designed to produce high-frequency sounds from 2,000 to 20,000 Hz.” DS18 notes that tweeters are essential for sound separation, and without them, the music in your car will sound like it’s just coming from around your feet.

Tweeters are more important than you think

Titanium Tweeters
Titanium Tweeters | Amazon.com

RELATED: 6 Cars That Have Surprisingly Great Factory Sound Systems

Have you ever heard a symphony without the flutes or the brass instruments? That’s kind of what your car audio system would sound like if you don’t include the tweeters in the mix. According to Car Sound Pro, if you want crisp, clear sound then you’ll need to be able to hear treble for that, which is what tweeters provide.

Treble is the sound that is produced by vocals, guitars, cymbals, horns, and other drum effects. And if you skip out on a good set of tweeters, you could be skipping out on and important pieces of every song you play. Tweeters fill in the missing, high-frequency sounds in music and they also provide “stereo imaging.” Stereo imaging is when the listener is given spatial cues as to where the instruments are placed in the recording process.

Placement of tweeters

Bang and Olufsen tweeter in an Audi
Bang and Olufsen tweeter in an Audi | Audi

Most tweeters are placed higher in the cabin from the factory. If you look in most newer cars, especially luxury cars, you’ll typically notice that the tweeters are mounted on the upper parts of the door panels or on the sail panels. The sail panels are the little triangular panels located on the corners of the front windows.

Some manufacturers team up with premium audio manufacturers in order to provide drivers with a high-end auditory experience. For example, Audi has had a long-standing partnership with Band and Olufsen, which provides premium audio systems for its vehicles. On those equipped with a B&O system, you’ll notice that the tweeters are placed on the dashboard and actually rise up out of it.

Don’t forget the tweeters

If you’re planning on building a customized audio system for your car, or just looking to complete its current setup, don’t forget to add tweeters. They may be small, but they are a specialized piece of any good audio system.

So, if you want to listen to music the way that the artist intended, invest in a good set of tweeters. In some cases, they’re more important than that massive subwoofer that you’re planning on sticking in the trunk.

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