Even though Tucson doesn’t have satisfying handling or fast acceleration, most SUV buyers will like its smooth ride and calm attitude. Entry-level models are good because they come with more than just the basics. Those who want more comfort can find it in Tucson’s SEL and Limited trims, which give the feeling of a luxury car without the price tag that usually comes with it.
Even better, these trims have features that peers like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Volkswagen Tiguan don’t have. This makes Tucson a natural choice if you want a high-end SUV in this class.
Unless you choose one of the two hybrid models, the Tucson only comes with one engine. Every Tucson that only runs on gas has a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine that doesn’t have a turbo and makes 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. The engine uses an eight-speed automatic to send power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive (AWD) is a choice for most trims and comes standard on the off-road-oriented Tucson XRT.
The power numbers are fine, but Tucson’s 9.3-second time to 60 mph is slow for the segment. This is partly because of how heavy it is. The car also gets less gas mileage than a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.
Standard features include automatic emergency braking, monitoring for blind spots, back cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Lane centering and remote smart parking assist are added to the top-of-the-line Limited models.
The base SE and SEL trims have an infotainment system with an 8-inch tablet, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. You can get a 10.3-inch touchscreen on the SEL, which comes standard on all higher trims. This system has better voice recognition and can be updated over-the-air. Unfortunately, the big screen needs a wired link to mirror a smartphone, and it has touch-capacitive buttons instead of real HVAC controls. Top-of-the-line Limited models have Bose premium music, and XRT and Limited trims have a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
The dashboard of Tucson is simple but still modern. It has a digital display for the gauges, a push-button shifter, and a touch-sensitive control screen for the climate control and entertainment system.
Hyundai’s top-of-the-line Palisade SUV and the newly redesigned Sonata and Elantra sedans were a turning point for the company’s interior designs. The new Tucson continues this trend with a well-designed interior of high-quality materials and luxury features.
Both the room behind the back seats and the space for cargo is bigger in Tucson than in the model it replaces. This makes the car more comfortable and useful for passengers. Behind the back row of seats in the hybrid, we could fit nine carry-on bags. With the seatbacks folded down, we could fit 22 bags.
The dashboard has a standard 8.8-inch tablet with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 10.3-inch screen with built-in navigation is available as an upgrade, as are features like SiriusXM satellite radio and a better Bose stereo system. The Hyundai digital key smartphone app lets you lock and open the car and allows you to start it from a distance.