2021 Hyundai Tucson Review

　　

2021 Hyundai Tucson Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　There are so many small SUVs on sale today that it can be hard to figure out which one's going to be best for you. The Hyundai Tucson, for example, easily gets overlooked compared to the likes of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. But it's a viable alternative that earns high marks for its excellent infotainment system, comfortable ride and roomy interior. It also costs thousands of dollars less than similarly equipped rivals, ensuring you can get a competitive small SUV at a budget-friendly price.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$150/mo  for Tucson SE

　　Tucson SE

　　SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $23,700 MSRPSE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $25,100 MSRPValue 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $25,150 MSRPValue 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $26,550 MSRPSEL 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A) - $26,100 MSRPSEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 6A) - $27,500 MSRPSport 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A) - $28,250 MSRPSport 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 6A) - $29,650 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A) - $29,400 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 6A) - $30,800 MSRPUltimate 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A) - $32,050 MSRPUltimate 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 6A) - $33,450 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　The Tucson doesn't have many downsides, though both of its available engines are lackluster in terms of fuel economy and acceleration. The Tucson's cargo area is also a bit smaller than some of the more spacious choices in the class. Look for improvements in these areas on the redesigned Hyundai Tucson, which we expect will be released next year.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Tucson drive? If the Tucson had a bit more horsepower, it'd be very difficult to find fault with how it performs. Braking and handling are more than competent and impart a better feeling of control than you find in other SUVs. It even has well-balanced steering — light at low speeds but with enough heft to give you confidence on the highway.

　　Despite a well-calibrated transmission, the engine's lack of power is noticeable. Small SUVs aren't known for rip-roaring acceleration, but even with this in mind, the Tucson feels sluggish. The standard 2.0-liter has even less oomph.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Tucson? If a smooth ride and comfortable interior are what you seek in a compact SUV, the Tucson needs to be at the top of your list of test-drive candidates. It easily equals the best vehicles in the class and is head and shoulders above the others. Indeed, the Tucson is a relaxing place to be during a long drive. It handles road irregularities exceptionally well, suppressing dips and seams without jarring the occupants.

　　Neither overly bolstered nor too flat, the front seats support a wide range of body types. The upper trim offers heating and ventilation — a rarity in this class — and the rear seats are heated too. Though wind noise is present at higher speeds, road and engine noise is controlled. This Hyundai has one of the quieter cabins in the segment.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? There's a good sense of room, and anybody 6 foot tall or shorter will have plenty of legroom and headroom. Taller occupants will want a bit more of each, especially with the headroom-gobbling panoramic sunroof. There's good outward visibility all around with minimal blind spots. That said, the rearview camera is low-resolution and the details are often blurry when backing up.

　　It doesn't take long to get familiar with the Tucson. Every interface is straightforward, and its controls are clearly marked. It seems simple, but as vehicles get more and more complicated, that itself is turning into a bit of a luxury.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Hyundai's infotainment system is one of the more straightforward and easy-to-use systems on the market, let alone in the class. Its display isn't the prettiest, but it's darn functional. Voice controls are similarly easy to operate and don't require exact syntax.

　　Other highlights are a powerful optional Infinity-branded audio system, smart advanced driving aids and an intuitive navigation system. Drawbacks include a small touchscreen with dated graphics, but even this is a minor complaint.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Tucson is hardly impractical, even though it trails some of its competitors in outright cargo capacity (31 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, compared to leaders such as the Honda CR-V with 39.2 cubes). With an agreeable liftover height and quick-folding rear seats, it's at least easy to load the cargo area. The cabin also offers plenty of room throughout to store small items.

　　The Tucson carries a tow rating of 2,000 pounds, which is more than the CR-V or the Subaru Forester. The modestly powered engine means it'll be a little slow when doing so.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? Rated at 25 mpg (22 city/28 highway), the Tucson is thirstier than the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester. A 16.4-gallon fuel tank goes some way toward extending the range, but we were not able to break 20 mpg over a tank of fuel in our time with the Tucson. All-wheel drive would lower the mileage even further.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the Tucson a good value? Value for the money has always been a strong point for Hyundai. And while the Tucson does lag behind in fuel economy and horsepower, its high level of build quality, generous warranties and feature content keep it just ahead of the competitive pack. As with sister company Kia, Hyundai offers a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Roadside assistance is covered for five years/unlimited miles, which is similarly excellent.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　Compact SUVs score points for being so simple to drive and free of frustration that they nearly become transparent in normal use. That's exactly what the Tucson does. With its mix of electronic and comfort-oriented features, the Tucson helps to take the edge off even the toughest daily drives. It's not particularly fun, but it can handle a few bends or on-ramps without falling on its door handles.

　　

Which Tucson does zzdcar recommend?

True to its name, the Value trim offers a fantastic set of features for the money. But we recommend paying just a little more for the SEL. It comes with the Tucson's more powerful engine plus upgraded interior trim and rear air vents to keep backseat passengers happy.

　　

2021 Hyundai Tucson models

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV sold in six trim levels: SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited and Ultimate. The SE and the Value come standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (161 horsepower, 150 lb-ft of torque). The SEL, the Sport and the Limited get a 2.4-liter engine (181 hp, 175 lb-ft). Both engines are paired to a six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional on all trims.

　　SE

　　The entry-level Tucson SE starts you off with:

　　17-inch alloy wheels Automatic headlights Height-adjustable driver's seat 7-inch touchscreen Six-speaker audio system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping assist (steers the Tucson back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)Value

　　The Value trim adds a few convenience and safety upgrades, such as:

　　Heated mirrors Roof rails Keyless entry and ignition Power-adjustable driver's seat Heated front seats Satellite radio Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)SEL

　　The SEL includes all the above features, plus the larger engine and:

　　18-inch alloy wheels Dual exhaust outlets Soft-touch plastic door trim Dual-zone automatic climate control Rear air vents Rear USB portSport

　　The Sport model adds the following to the SEL:

　　19-inch wheels LED headlights Hands-free liftgate Leather-wrapped steering wheel Auto-dimming rearview mirror Eight-speaker Infinity audio system Wireless charging padLimited

　　Near the top of the Tucson lineup lies the Limited. It adds to the Sport with:

　　18-inch wheels Chrome exterior trim Heated steering wheel Power passenger seat Leather upholstery Upgraded trim on doors and instrument panel surround Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Tucson and its surroundings for tight parking situations)Ultimate

　　The Ultimate is the most luxurious model in the lineup. It includes the Limited's features as well as:

　　Automatic wipers Panoramic sunroof Ventilated front seats Heated rear seats 8-inch touchscreen Integrated navigation system Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Tucson and the car in front)

　　

2021 Tucson Highlights

Trim: SEValueSELSportLimitedUltimateSE

　　

Base MSRP	$23,700
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$150/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	31.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles