2019 Hyundai Tucson

Overview

As Hyundai's products get more refined with each passing model year, Kanye West's immortal lyrics about winning the Vince Lombardi Trophy and then commuting home from the Super Bowl in a car bearing the flying H logo become far less derogatory. Take the Tucson for instance: It 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 versions. That the Tucson undercuts its rivals by thousands of dollars is no surprise; a key tenet 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 2019?

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson sees a host of changes that starts with updated styling in the form of a revised grille and headlamps, new wheel designs, and three new colors (white, brown, and blue). The turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is no longer offered and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder takes its place in SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate models. The cabin also sees some updates, such as a new dashboard design, new optional leather upholstery for the seats, and a new rearview mirror. Hyundai has also made additional driver-assistance features standard, including automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist; more advanced features such as adaptive cruise control and a driver-attention monitor are now optional.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Refined ride, nicely balanced suspension, two engine choices.
Dislikes: Underpowered base engine, soft brake pedal feel.

Two different four-cylinder engines are on tap to power the Tucson—a 164-hp 2.0-liter or a 181-hp 2.4-liter; both team with a six-speed automatic. In our testing, the base 2.0-liter delivered lethargic performance in all of our metrics. Unfortunately, we haven't sampled the upgraded 2.4-liter engine, but expect it to deliver slightly better acceleration times.

Handling isn't all that noteworthy in the Tucson; it's competent but not sporty. Body roll is well controlled, the steering is well weighted, and overall the Tucson changes direction with confidence. It also offers a very smooth and refined ride, and the suspension soaks up all but the harshest bumps nicely. This lack of bias to either the sporty or floaty ends of the handling spectrum strikes us as the kind of balanced nature that crossover shoppers will find appealing.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Tucson's two four-cylinder engines earn EPA ratings that are merely average for this segment. Since the last time we tested the 2.0-liter engine was back in 2016 before we started doing our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test, we aren't yet sure how the Tucson's fuel economy stacks up against its rivals in the real world; the 2.4-liter is new to the Tucson lineup and we expect to be able to update this with test results soon.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: First-rate interior design, high-tech infotainment features are standard, good ergonomics.
Dislikes: No Wi-Fi hotspot, average-size cargo bay, class-average small-item storage.

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. It's a bit on the monochromatic side with the all-black color scheme but opting for the beige upholstery adds some contrast. Cloth seating is standard, provided by YES Essentials; Hyundai claims the fabric resists staining, repels odors, and reduces static. For those who prefer leather, the Limited and Ultimate models 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 with a built-in air ionizer.

A full-fledged infotainment system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto is standard. Stepping up to either the Limited or Ultimate adds an extra inch to the touchscreen size plus in-dash navigation.

Drop the Tucson's rear seats, and it should have enough cargo capacity for most buyers as it offered room for 22 of our carry-on suitcases; with the seats up, it held seven. Overall cargo volume is average for the segment, and its interior cubby storage is adequate but not exemplary.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Hyundai's compact crossover earns accolades from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its strong showing in crash tests; newly standard driver-assistance features such as automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist add an extra layer of protection. Additional features are optional. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

It's no secret that Hyundai and its sister company Kia offer the most competitive warranty coverages in autodom, with the longest powertrain coverage. Hyundai even outdoes Kia here, with longer corrosion and roadside-assistance terms, but be advised that the Tucson's warranties apply only to the original owner. Subsequent owners will receive much shorter policy timelines.

• Limited warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance