2019 Hyundai Tucson

That the Tucson undercuts its rivals by thousands of dollars and comes equipped with a long list of safety features. For 2019 the revised Tucson competes with sales leaders such as Subaru Forester, GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox.

Hyundai is known for offering less in more. The 2019 Hyundai Tucson is available in 6 trim levels which are as follows:

• SE: $24,245
• Value: $25,695
• SEL: $26,645
• Sport: $28,745
• Limited: $29,945
• Ultimate: $32,595

The Hyundai Tucson is well equipped no matter what trim you choose. The SE and the Value come standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 164 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The SEL, Sport, Limited and ultimate gets a 2.4-liter engine generating 181 hp and 175 lb-ft. Both engines are paired to a six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard on all trims, and all-wheel drive is optional. The Tucson starts at $24,245 for base trim and goes up to $32,595 for the top variant.

Trims	SE	SEL	SEL PLUS	VALUE	LIMITED
MSRP (FWD)	$22,550	$23,800	$26,700	$26,550	$29,425
MSRP (AWD)	$23,950	$25,200	$28,100	$27,950	$30,825
Key Features	Automatic projector headlights.	SE+   LED accents and LED Daytime Running Lights	SEL+   LED approach lights (front door handles).	SEL+   Panoramic sunroof (one-touch open and rear shade).	VALUE+   LED headlights. HID headlights with Dynamic Bending Light (Optional).
	Roof-mounted Center High-Mount Stop Light (CHMSL).	Front fog lights. 8-way power driver seat	Side mirrors with turn-signal indicators.	Premium Audio System.   Clari-Fi Music Restoration	8-way power passenger seat
	Heated side mirrors.	Power lumbar support.	Shark-fin roof antenna.	Technology, external amp and 8 speakers (2 front-door-mounted speakers, 2 tweeters, 2 rear speakers, center front, subwoofer) (no CD player). Premium instrument panel.	Ventilated front seats.
	Cloth seating surfaces.	Heated front seats (3-steps).	Leather seating surfaces.		8-inch color touchscreen with navigation and Infinity Premium Audio System
	YES, Essentials cloth (Beige and Gray only).	Android Auto & Apple CarPlay.	8-inch color touchscreen with navigation and Infinity
	6-way adjustable driver seat.	HD Radio/Sirius Satellite Radio	Blue LinkConnected Car System.
	Air conditioning.

 

We Recommend

The Tucson is well equipped no matter which trims you choose. The SEL variant hits the sweet spot, as it adds more features at a cheaper price. You get features such as dual-zone automatic climate control, a rear-seat USB port and swanky exterior styling.

“If you decide to buy a Tucson, we recommend going with the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. Yes, the price is lower on the 2.0-liter equipped SE, but this engine is less refined and just doesn't feel powerful enough for a vehicle of this size. The turbocharged engine is peppy, smooth and respectably fuel-efficient” – Edmunds

The Hyundai Tucson in the SE and Value trims come standard with a 2.0 liter four cylinder engine which generates 164 hp and 151-pound feet of torque. The SEL, Sport and Limited variant are powered by a 2.4 liter inline four which puts out 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. Both of the powertrains are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Front –wheel drive is standard on all trims and you can also opt for all-wheel drive. Power delivery is linear and shifts are butter smooth.

Models	Hyundai Tucson SE suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Subaru Forester 2.5i suv	GMC Terrain SL suv	Mitsubishi Outlander ES suv	Ford Escape S suv
MSRP	$24,245	$24,795	$24,295	$26,195	$25,690	$25,100
Engine	2.0L i4 Regular Unleaded	1.5L i4 Turbocharged gas	2.5L flat4 Regular Unleaded	1.5L i4 Turbo Gas/Ethanol	2.4L i4	2.5L i4 Regular Unleaded
Transmission	6 Speed automatic	6 Speed automatic	Continuously variable automatic	9 Speed automatic	Continuously variable automatic	6 Speed automatic
Horsepower	164 hp@ 6200rpm	170 hp@ 5600rpm	182 hp@ 5800 rpm	170 hp@ 5600rpm	166 hp@ 6000rpm	168 hp@ 6000rpm
Torque	151 ft-lbs@ 4500rpm	203 ft-lbs@ 2000rpm	176 ft-lbs@ 4400rpm	203 ft-lbs@ 2000rpm	162 ft-lbs@ 4200rpm	170 ft-lbs@ 4500rpm

The Subaru Forester produces the highest amount of horsepower and torque because of the bigger capacity powertrain. The Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain are similar in terms of output while the Tucson stands at last.

Acceleration

The Hyundai Tucson with its 2.0 liter engine doesn’t provide brisk acceleration but it is ample grunt for city driving and highway passes. The 2.4 liters 181 hp four-cylinder is a bit quicker in attaining 0 to 60 mark. The transmission shifts smoothly over the rev range and makes most of the horsepower.

Models	Hyundai Tucson SE suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Subaru Forester 2.5i suv	GMC Terrain SL suv	Mitsubishi Outlander ES suv	Ford Escape S suv
0-60 MPH	8.8 sec	7.5	9.6 sec	6.8 sec	N/A	7.1 sec
Quarter mile	N/A	N/A	17.3 sec	15.4 sec	N/A	16.7 sec
Engine	2.0L i4 Regular Unleaded	1.5L i4 Turbocharged gas	2.5L flat4 Regular Unleaded	1.5L i4 Turbo Gas/Ethanol	2.4L i4	2.5L i4 Regular Unleaded
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	6.7	6.3	N/A	N/A	6.5	7.3

The GMC sprints to 60 mph in just 6.8 second because of its low curb weight followed by Chevrolet Equinox. Hyundai Tucson takes 8.8 seconds while Subaru stands at last with 9.6 seconds.

Ride and Handling

The Hyundai Tucson is a capable crossover with two engine options to choose from: the 2.0 liter producing 161 hp and 2.4 liters producing 184 hp. Both of them are teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission. The cabin is noticeably quiet at highway speed and wind noise can be barely heard. Tucson’s suspension is composed and does a good job in soaking bumps. The ride quality is compliant and the car feels connected to the tarmac.

The electric-assisted steering doesn’t feel sporty but it is very predictable. It is well weighted and changes direction with confidence. It is not athletic like the Mazda CX-5 but nimble steering helps in controlled body movement. Choosing Sport mode from the drive settings changes the reactions of the throttle and transmission for somewhat more fun. The larger 19-inch alloy wheels do impact ride quality in a negative way.

Braking

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson packs a 12-inch front and 11.9 inch rear disk braking system. The brakes are easy to modulate in the city and on the highway. Emergency stops are straight and the brakes feel confident on corners.

Model	Hyundai Tucson SE suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Subaru Forester 2.5i suv	GMC Terrain SL suv	Mitsubishi Outlander ES suv	Ford Escape S suv
Brake Front (in.)	12	11.8	11.8	11.6	11.6	12.8
Brake Rear (in.)	11.9	11.4	11.3	11.2	11.9	12
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3300	3274	3499	3449	3329	3552
60-0 MPH (ft.)	118	123	129	130	N/A	112

Hyundai Tucson stops at 118 feet which is above average in this segment. Most of the rivals take more distance than the Tucson in case of an emergency stop.

The Hyundai Tucson provides a decent fuel economy with both of its engines. The 2.0 liter four cylinder with 164 hp delivers 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The 2.4-liter engine with 181 hp is able to deliver 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Opting for all wheel drive will significantly drop the mileage in both the variants.

Model	Hyundai Tucson SE suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Subaru Forester 2.5i suv	GMC Terrain SL suv	Mitsubishi Outlander ES suv	Ford Escape S suv
MPG (city)	23	26	26	26	25	21
MPG (highway)	30	32	30	32	30	29
MPG (combined)	26	28	28	28	27	24
Range (miles) (city/highway)	377/492	387 / 477	431.6/547.8	387.4/447	415/498	330/455
Tank Capacity (gal)	16.4	14.9	14.9	14.9	16.6	15.7

Most of the rivals return similar fuel economies while the Hyundai Tucson stands at last with 26 mpg combined.

“Once underway you'll be impressed by the Tucson's quiet and refined ride quality, something Hyundai representatives told us was a specific focus for the new crossover." - Forbes

Seating and comfort

The cabin is more like European cars with a monochromatic theme and inspired by the popular Kona. It is spacious and well-built with a new center stack and a new infotainment screen. The neatly designed dashboard houses clearly labeled controls and the layout is driver focused.

Inside the Kona is brilliantly designed to look good with an ample amount of space. The front seats are reasonably comfortable with a great amount of support and cushioning. Touchpoints for knees and elbows are nicely padded. The 60/40 rear folding seats provide a good amount of headroom and legroom for an average individual. They also feature a slight reclining adjustment. The panoramic sunroof can be slide all the way back to feel limitless space and fresh air.

Model	Hyundai Tucson SE suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Subaru Forester 2.5i suv	GMC Terrain SL suv	Mitsubishi Outlander ES suv	Ford Escape S suv
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5	7	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.6/57.1/41.5	40.0/57.2/40.9	40.0/57.2/40.9	41.2/58.2/43.3	40.6/56.4/40.9	39.9/55.9/43.1
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.2/55.5/38.2	38.5/55.5/39.7	38.5/55.6/39.7	39.6/57.2/39.4	38.4/56.0/37.3	39.0/55.2/37.3

The Chevrolet Equinox because of its larger dimensions have much interior space, just like the Subaru Forester and GMC Terrain. Hyundai Tucson is a little bit smaller in terms of interior space.

Interior Features

Some of the standard seating features include:

• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Eight-way power adjustable front seats
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats

Infotainment system

The sensible dash houses simple controls for the climate and audio systems. At night, those controls are backlit in soft blue lighting. The digital display doesn't overload the driver with too much information. The 5-inch infotainment screen is intuitive to use and comes with the following amenities:

• 5-inch touchscreen
• Bluetooth and USB port
• Rearview camera

Optional features include:

• 7 or 8-inch touchscreen
• Satellite radio
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Navigation
• Infinity audio system
• Aux Input and Audio Jack
• Sirius XM HD radio

Cargo Capacity

The Tucson has 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 61.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Individual’s praise about Tucson's available hands-free tailgate, which automatically opens when you stand behind the vehicle with the key in your pocket.

Model	Hyundai Tucson SE suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Subaru Forester 2.5i suv	GMC Terrain SL suv	Mitsubishi Outlander ES suv	Ford Escape S suv
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	31.0	29.9	29.6	35.4	10.3	34.0

The GMC Terrain has the best cargo space followed by Hyundai Tucson. The Equinox and GMC Terrain are similar in cargo capacity.

The 2019 Tucson swims in the crossover mainstream -carconnection

Dimension and Height

The 2019 Tucson adopts the latest styling theme of Hyundai with bold and dynamic lines. The front end sports a glossy black and chrome hexagonal grille with angled shaped LED headlights and daytime running lights. Tucson’s rounded-square wheel arches are ideal for its 19-inch alloy wheels.

Tucson’s rear is smartly shaped with some new headlights and sleek aerodynamic spoiler. Two character lines, one from the front fender to the rear fender and just above the door handles accentuate the sporty appeal with beefy C pillar. Dimensions-wise, there isn’t much difference and the chassis that uses more than 50-percent high-strength steel contributes to Tucson’s excellent safety scores.

Model	Hyundai Tucson SE suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Subaru Forester 2.5i suv	GMC Terrain SL suv	Mitsubishi Outlander ES suv	Ford Escape S suv
Curb weight (lbs.)	3300	3274	3499	3449	3329	3552
Length(in)	176.2	183.1	182.3	182.1	184.8	178.1
Width(in)	72.8	72.6	72.4	71.5	71.3	72.4
Height(in)	65.0	65.4	65.4	68.1	67.3	66.3
Ground clearance (in)	6.4	N/A	6.9	8.7	8.5	7.8
Wheelbase (in)	105.1	107.3	107.3	105.1	105.1	105.9
Track width (in) F/R	63.3/63.8	62.2/62.2	62.2/62.2	61.6/61.8	60.6/60.6	61.5/61.6

The Chevrolet Equinox cast the largest shadow with 183 inches of length. Subaru Forester and GMC terrain have somewhat similar dimensions and there is not much of a difference. Hyundai Tucson is the smallest among all.

The base Tucson gets all the standard safety features, however forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are available only on the higher trims. The value and Limited model also gets blind -spot monitoring, lane departure and parking sensors.

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc Rear Center 3 Point, Height Adjusters and Pretensioners

Chevrolet Equinox Vs Hyundai Tucson

If you feel that the Tucson is a bit slow then you should refer to the Equinox. It accelerates fast while maintaining a smooth ride and feels agile through the turns. Plush interior and more cargo space is also a plus point for the Ford which might attract your attention. The Chevrolet Equinox has an edge in terms of overall performance.

Subaru Forester Vs Hyundai Tucson

There is not much difference between the two, the Tucson is a bit wider and has more headroom in the back. The Forester is longer with more ground clearance. The only area where the Subaru edges past Hyundai is the cargo space. Forester has almost 10 cubic-feet extra cargo space than the Tucson and it a better choice to go with as there is not much difference in the price. Subaru Forester is the best bang for your bucks and it is a worldwide bestseller.

GMC terrain Vs Hyundai Tucson

The GMC Terrain is a pretty appealing car which is powered by standard 1.5 liters turbocharged four cylinders which puts out 170 hp and comes mated to 9-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai Tucson has an edge in terms of overall performance while the Terrain excels in terms of interior space. Overall the Hyundai Tucson is a well-rounded SUV with lots of features.

The Hyundai Tucson doesn’t shine in anyone but it’s a solid all-around contender with smooth powertrain and comfortable cabin. You get peace of mind with outstanding crash test scores and excellent warranty coverage. It doesn’t try to be overly sporty and feels composed out on the road. Overall it is the best bang for your bucks.