2018 Hyundai Tucson

Overview

The Tucson boasts a stylish exterior, a well-made cabin, and plenty of features, presenting an upscale, near-luxury appearance inside and out—especially the top two trims. That the Tucson undercuts its rivals by thousands of dollars is no surprise; a cornerstone of the Hyundai brand has always been its ability to offer more for less. Add to all of that the longest powertrain warranty coverage in the business, and the Tucson is one crossover that’s prepared for the long haul.

What's New for 2018?

New to the Tucson lineup this year is the Sport trim, which comes with its own exclusive 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Some trim names have also been shuffled. Last year’s SE with the Popular package becomes the SEL, the SE Plus trim is renamed SEL Plus, and the Eco and Night trims are discontinued.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Three different four-cylinder engines are on tap to power the Tucson, and all three can be had with front- or all-wheel drive. The base 164-hp 2.0-liter delivers lethargic performance, and although the turbocharged 1.6-liter turns up the fire with 175 hp, it suffers from a languid initial throttle response followed by a sudden surge when the turbo kicks in. The 2.4-liter is exclusive to the new Sport trim, and its formidable 181 horsepower helps the Sport live up to its name. Both of the naturally aspirated engines team with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbo has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic unit. Handling isn’t all that noteworthy in the Tucson; it’s competent but not sporty. Body roll is well controlled, and the steering is well weighted. It also offers a very smooth and refined ride, and the suspension soaks up all but the harshest bumps nicely.

Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest and most accurate fuel economy numbers on current and older vehicles, we use the U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov website. Under the heading "Find & Compare Cars" click on the "Compare Side-by-Side" tool to find the EPA ratings for the make, model, and year you're interested in.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside the Tucson’s dapper cabin, occupants are treated to well-built surroundings with tightly fitted panels, user-friendly controls, and a European-style design. Cloth seating is standard, but for those who prefer leather, the SEL Plus and Limited trims offer it as standard equipment. Ratcheting up the luxury quotient a notch are available premium features such as heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and dual-zone climate control. Finding a place to stash belongings throughout the Tucson’s interior is no problem at all. Drop the rear seats, and it should offer enough cargo capacity for most buyers. Overall cargo volume is average for the segment, and its interior cubby storage is adequate but not exemplary.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The base Tucson SE comes with a quick-responding but dinky 5.0-inch touchscreen, and its abilities are limited. For those who want something more modern, the SEL and Value trims offer a full-fledged infotainment system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Stepping up to either the SEL Plus or Limited adds an 8-inch touchscreen plus in-dash navigation and three free years of Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics service. All models have Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, and an auxiliary jack.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

For more information about the Hyundai Tucson’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.