The Hyundai Tucson is the car for people who want something safe, efficient, and practical, but are tired of buying the same ol’ CR-V time and time again. What do you need to know before you buy a Hyundai Tucson? Don’t worry, we’ll tell you everything right here in our Buyer’s Guide.
Getting lots of sleep, drinking a bunch of coffee, and blasting the radio are all three very good ways to prevent yourself from falling asleep behind the wheel. But even these three mechanisms won’t prevent a bunch of ever-enlarging Zs from hovering above your head if you’re driving a Hyundai Tucson. Yes, it’s boring. But it’s good. Wait, what?
Yes, it is possible for a car to be both simultaneously boring and good, so long as you say the word “good” with a caveat. That caveat being that the Tucson is “good” when you consider its segment and its intended function.
Crossovers are A to B cars. They’re not tire-shredding Hellcats, and they’re not off-road monsters — they’re just cars with taller top hats.
So after you’ve put the Tucson in context, you realize that, all things considered, it’s a good vehicle. It’s got tons of safety features, offers a smooth ride, and delivers solid fuel economy. And it’s not bad looking, to boot.
What’s New About The 2016 Hyundai Tuscon
The 2016 Hyundai Tucson is all new. It rides on a new, longer, wider platform. It’s got updated sheetmetal, a new interior, fresh engine options, a segment-first dual clutch transmission, and tons of new gadgets like lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking. It’s a nice update from the last generation Tucson, not only in terms of efficiency, but also in terms of available options.
Which One We’d Buy
The 2016 Tucson comes in four different variants: SE, Eco, Sport, and Limited. If it were us, we’d buy the Eco for $25,045. Why? Well, the SE comes with the wrong engine and transmission (2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine with 6-speed slushbox), and choosing the Sport or Limited trims means you’re giving up a whopping three MPG on the highway. Three! And since you only bought this crossover to do four things — be reliable, be safe, be efficient, carry your 2.2 kids to soccer practice — you really can’t give up three MPGs. You just can’t. [Build Your Own]
Important Facts At A Glance:
MSRP: $22,700 - $29,900 Max Advertised Towing Capability: 1,500 pounds
MPG: 26 city/ 33 hwy / 29 combined [2wd ECO] Engines: 1.6-liter turbo I4, 2.0-liter I4
Curb Weight: ~3,325-3,710 pounds IIHS Rating: NA
Transmissions: 6-speed automatic transmission, 7-speed dual clutch automatic
Drivetrain Layout: Front engine, FWD/AWD
Photo credit: Hyundai