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2012 Hyundai Tucson

Rating8.1

Ranked #3 in Compact Suv

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Starting MSRP 

$19,145 - $26,495

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Key Spec of 2012 Hyundai Tucson
fuel economy

20/23/26

fuel type

regular unleaded

horsepower

165 hp @ 6200 rpm

basic warranty

5 yr./ 60000 mi.

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Old CarsBuild In & Price

2012 Hyundai Tucson Price, Review, Ratings and Pictures

Updated on: December 28, 2021

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor

The Hyundai Tucson is not a new name and we all are pretty familiar with it. In its very first generation, not a lot was sold because of its rather unconventional and quirky styling. And the company tried to lure in customers by throwing in features. But it certainly didn’t make any considerable impact in the market. But now things have changed and in the current avatar, it is much better with absolutely dashing looks and a mouth-watering interior. 

2012 Hyundai Tucson Latest Updates

  • Apr' 19, 2022 : Top Ten Most Fuel-Efficient Compact SUVs On Sale In 2022 Read More »
  • Feb' 3, 2022 : Hyundai To Showcase Tucson “Beast” Concept In Sony Pictures' “Uncharted” Film Read More »
  • Dec' 7, 2021 : Hyundai Adds To 2022 Tucson Lineup With Rugged XRT Trim Priced At $32,625 Read More »
See detailed review
ProsConsWhat's New

Dashing, curvy styling

Lifeless, artificial steering

New Active Eco System

Smoother four-cylinder engines

Underpowered base engine

GLS models get upgraded suspension

Gas mileage tops the class

Leather seats could use more cushion

The suspension has been returned

Spacious interior

Styling cuts down on rearward visibility

Over All Rating

8.1

Out of 10

Pricing and Features8.00
Pricing and Feature9.00
Features8.00
Engine and Performance7.90
Fuel Economy8.00
Interior7.80
Exterior8.00
Safety8.70
Competition7.00
Notable Rankings

#3 in Compact Suv

#4 in Suv

Pictures & Videos

Exterior [6]Interior [5]
2012 Hyundai Tucson exterior
2012 Hyundai Tucson exterior
2012 Hyundai Tucson exterior
2012 Hyundai Tucson exterior
2012 Hyundai Tucson exterior
2012 Hyundai Tucson exterior

Trims

GL$19,145 onwards

  • 17-inch steel Wheels
  • ABS and driveline Traction control
  • Cloth Seat trim
  • Front manual air conditioning
  • Remote keyless entry
Build Car

GLS$22,295 onwards

  • 17-inch silver aluminum Wheels
  • Cloth/Leatherette Seat trim
  • Heated mirrors
Build Car

Limited$24,995 onwards

  • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
  • Driver Lumbar support
  • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
  • Front Fog/driving lights
  • Front passengers heated-cushion
  • Leather Seat trim
Build Car
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Used 2012 Hyundai Tucson For Sale

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2011 Hyundai Tucson6

2011 Hyundai Tucson GLS

GLS 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

$5,999
Est. $81/mo
Excellent Deal
$1,850 Below market
RMV: $7,849
McHenry, IL
N/A
Check Availability
2011 Hyundai Tucson30

2011 Hyundai Tucson SUV

Limited

$9,299
Est. $126/mo
Excellent Deal
$2,670 Below market
RMV: $11,969
Detroit, MI
N/A
Check Availability
2011 Hyundai Tucson6
Price Drop, $400
Previous Price: $8770, 19 May 2022

2011 Hyundai Tucson GLS

GLS 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

$8,370
Est. $113/mo
Excellent Deal
$2,378 Below market
RMV: $10,748
Metter, GA
N/A
Check Availability
2012 Hyundai Tucson6
New

2012 Hyundai Tucson SUV

$8,383
Est. $113/mo
Excellent Deal
$2,368 Below market
RMV: $10,751
Portland, OR
N/A
Check Availability
2012 Hyundai Tucson12

2012 Hyundai Tucson SUV

GLS

$9,995
Est. $135/mo
Excellent Deal
$2,729.5 Below market
RMV: $12,724.5
Grove City, OH
N/A
Check Availability
2011 Hyundai Tucson9
Price Rise, $500
Previous Price: $6900, 20 May 2022

2011 Hyundai Tucson Limited

Limited 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

$7,400
Est. $100/mo
Excellent Deal
$1,949.5 Below market
RMV: $9,349.5
Phoenix, AZ
N/A
Check Availability
2012 Hyundai Tucson25
Price Rise, $250
Previous Price: $6999, 26 May 2021

2012 Hyundai Tucson GL

GL 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

$7,249
Est. $98/mo
Excellent Deal
$1,840 Below market
RMV: $9,089
Jenkintown, PA
N/A
Check Availability
2011 Hyundai Tucson6

2011 Hyundai Tucson Limited

Limited 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

$9,995
Est. $135/mo
Excellent Deal
$2,513 Below market
RMV: $12,508
Texarkana, TX
N/A
Check Availability
2013 Hyundai Tucson16
Price Rise, $1000
Previous Price: $10995, 22 Apr 2022

2013 Hyundai Tucson GLS

GLS 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

$11,995
Est. $162/mo
Excellent Deal
$3,001.5 Below market
RMV: $14,996.5
Westport, MA
N/A
Check Availability
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See all used 2012 Hyundai Tucson for sale

Colors and Styles

2012 Hyundai Tucson in Alpine White color
Alpine White

Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide

For 2012 the Hyundai Tucson comes with some major upgrades including a retuned suspension and an overall upgraded suspension setup for the GLS trim. The Tucson’s pricing starts at $20,145 and goes up to $26,495 for the top-end model. The Tucson competes with the Kia Sportage, Honda CR-V, and the Toyota RAV4. 

Features
8.0/10

Hyundai is offering the Tucson in three trim levels with the prices starting at just above 20 grand and going all the way up to nearly 25 grand for the top trim. The AWD versions are a couple of bucks extra while the GL misses out on AWD even as an option. There are two engine options on offer, the base on is a 2.0 L Inline-4 that comes exclusively in the base GL trim mated to a 5-speed manual as standard. The higher models get a stronger 2.4 L Inline-4 mated to a 6-speed automatic and are available in both FWD as well as AWD. The following table depicts the detailed list of features and prices of each trim of the 2012 Hyundai Tucson- 

Trims

GL

GLS

Limited

MSRP (FWD)

$19,145 (Manual $20,145 (Automatic)

$22,295

$24,995

MSRP (AWD)

NA

$23,945

$26,495

Key Features

17-inch steel wheels with full-size wheel covers

17-inch Euroflange alloy wheels

18-inch Euroflange alloy wheels
 

Manual 6-way adjustable driver seat

Steering-wheel audio, cruise, and hands-free phone controls

Power 8-way adjustable driver seat
 

160-Watt AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with 6 speakers

Tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel

Heated front seats
 

Rear spoiler with integrated brake light

Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Optional 360-Watt AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 premium audio system with external amp and 7 speakers
 

60/40 split fold-down rear seatbacks

Premium Sachs suspension

Optional 6.5-inch high-resolution color touchscreen navigation system with rearview camera
 

Vehicle Stability Management with Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control System 

Side repeater exterior mirrors

Automatic headlights

We Recommend

For us, the GLS makes the most sense out of the bunch as it is very reasonably priced at just over the $22k mark. For that money, you get alloy wheels, roof rails, heated mirrors, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter knob, Bluetooth, heated front seats, wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and upgraded suspension. Plus for the ones who need AWD, that option is also available with the GLS.

Engine and Performance
7.9/10

Essentially the 2012 Hyundai Tucson comes with two engine options, both of which are naturally aspirated inline-4. The base one is a 2.0L motor which produces 165hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. These figures aren’t very inspiring just like the engine. The better option, in our opinion, is the stronger 2.4-liter four-cylinder, as it feels quite a bit stronger without sacrificing any real-world fuel efficiency. The bigger motor is able to pull the car in a more linear manner without much effort. It feels better suited for the job and we would recommend picking it over the 2.0L one if you have the option.

There is a 5-speed manual as well as a six-speed automatic gearbox available. Both the gearboxes are quite efficient in their jobs and it is one of the rare cases where the Automatic is better and more fuel-efficient than the Manual and that is the really surprising part. The Tucson isn’t available with a turbocharged engine, unlike its cousin from the Kia which does get a turbocharged engine, but it is fine as the 2.4L engine in the Tucson is just enough for all the daily driving duties.

Model

2012 Hyundai Tucson GL

2012 Kia Sportage LX

2012 Honda CR-V LX

2012 Toyota RAV4

MSRP

$20,145

$20,800

$22,495

$22,650

Engine

2.0 L Inline-4

2.4L Inline-4

2.4L Inline-4

2.5L Inline-4

Transmission

6-speed shiftable automatic

6-speed shiftable automatic

5-speed automatic

4-speed automatic

Horsepower

165 hp @ 6200 rpm

176 hp @ 6000 rpm

185 hp @ 7000 rpm

179 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

146 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm

168 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

163 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

172 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

0-60 Mph (seconds)

9.6

7.9

7.9

8.8

Quarter Mile (seconds)

16.8

16.1

16.4

N/A

Top Speed (MPH)

119

139

125

114

In the base version, the Tucson is the least powerful with the base engine and that shows in the performance figures. It is also pretty much the last on a run from 0 to 60 mph. It is also the one with the highest quarter-mile time and one of the slowest top speeds. The Kia which actually has the same underpinnings as the Tucson is offered with a stronger engine in the base trim itself and is the best performer here followed by the Honda CR-V.

Fuel Economy
8.0/10

Hyundai is constantly working over making their cars more and more fuel-efficient and while there is still a long way to go, they are certainly on the right track. The base Tucson is rated at 22/29 MPG for City/Highway by the EPA. With the five-speed manual transmission, the same engine delivers a lower 20/26 MPG for City/Highway. With the stronger, 2.4-liter four-cylinder the Tucson gets 21/29 MPG (manual) or 21/30 MPG (automatic) for City/Highway. For the ones who admire the All-wheel drive cars, the MPG drops by 1 to 3 miles there.

Model

2012 Hyundai Tucson

2012 Kia Sportage

2012 Honda CR-V

2012 Toyota RAV4

City

22

21

23

22

Highway

29

30

31

28

Combined

25

25

26

24

Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallons)

15.3

15.3

15.3

15.9

Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles)

337/444/382

321/459/382

352/474/399

350/445/381

The 2012 Honda CR-V is the most efficient one here while also providing the most range. The Kia and Hyundai cousins output the same combined efficiency and they are equipped with the same fuel capacity which results in both of them delivering the same combined range. The RAV4 is the least efficient one here but holds up well with a higher fuel capacity. 

Interior
7.8/10

Inside, Hyundai has given the Tucson the same treatment in terms of their new fluidic design elements. The dashboard has curves all over it and while the car is smaller by exterior dimensions than other cars in nearly every way, inside it doesn’t feel like a smaller space at all. In fact, this could just be one of the best-designed cabins in the segment right now. The front row seats are wide and they have plenty of knee room but there is a problem and that is the under-thigh support isn’t that very great here. 

When it comes to seating surfaces, we like the cloth seats more than the leather ones as they have better cushioning and are easier to maintain as well. The back seats also have really good space and this is among those crossovers which can actually seat three adults abreast for shorter journeys at least. For the longer ones though, the middle passenger has to be a kid for everyone to stretch their legs easily.

Model

2012 Hyundai Tucson

2012 Kia Sportage

2012 Honda CR-V

2012 Toyota RAV4

Passenger Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in.)

39.4/57.1/41.2

39.1/56.7/41.4

39.9/58.6/41.3

40.8/57.1/41.8

2nd Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in.)

39.1/55.1/38.7

38.5/55.1/37.9

38.6/56.4/38.3

39.7/55.3/38.3

Cargo Capacity (cu-ft)

25.7

26.1

37.2

36.4

The Toyota RAV4 is the biggest SUV here so it is pretty much expected that it will also be the one with the most amount of space in both the front and rear seats. The Tucson though has the smallest boot and that means there is a limit on how much you can put in here on your trips and that limit is a bit small. Some of the key interior features are:

  • Adjustable Steering Wheel
  • Steering Wheel Controls
  • Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
  • Remote Trunk Release
  • Electrochromic rearview mirror

How intuitive is the 2012 Hyundai Tucson’s infotainment unit?

In the entry-level trims of the 2012 Hyundai Tucson, you get a basic infotainment unit with functionalities like AM/FM/XM/CD player with a USB port and a 160-watt, 6-speaker audio system. The Limited trim on the other hand gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen navigation system fitted in tandem with an upgraded 360-watt, 7-speaker audio system. It’s not a very sophisticated system but still, it is pretty easy to use and can really amplify the feeling of the cabin. Some of the key infotainment features are-

  • Audio And Cruise Controls On Steering Wheel
  • 3 Months Of Provided Satellite Radio Service
  • Auxiliary Audio Input And USB With External Media Control
  • 160-Watt Audio Output
  • 6 Total Speakers
  • USB Connection
Exterior
8.0/10

Under their new design philosophy of this decade, Hyundai is giving all the cars a major design change to make them look fluidic and futuristic and we can say that we really liked what Hyundai designers are doing. The curves actually make the 2012 Hyundai Tucson look bigger and more premium. It looks pretty much like a jacked-up Elantra if you look at it from the front and honestly Elantra does look quite good too.

Though there are a few angles where the Tucson feels just too curvy but overall in general we feel it looks pretty good. One thing though, the headlights feel like an empty bucket and if there were projector lamps inside them, that would have worked a lot better. Overall the Tucson is a good-looking machine, but the thing is, there are much more impressive and better-looking ones in this segment. 

Model

2012 Hyundai Tucson

2012 Kia Sportage

2012 Honda CR-V

2012 Toyota RAV4

Curb Weight (lbs)

3,175

3,186

3,305

3,360

Length (in.)

173.2

174.8

178.3

181.9

Ground Clearance (in.)

6.7

6.8

6.3

7.5

Height (in.)

65.2

64.4

64.7

66.3

Wheelbase (in.)

103.9

103.9

103.1

104.7

Width (in.)

71.7

73.0

71.6

71.5

Comparison-wise, the Tucson lies in the spectrum of crossovers that don’t weigh a lot and that is actually good. It also happens to be the smallest in length and width by considerable margins. In fact, Tucson is really among the smallest cars here when we talk about the numbers, however standalone it doesn’t look small at all. However, I find all other crossovers we have compared here against the Tucson, better-looking than the Hyundai. Some of the key exterior features include-

  • Roof Rack Cross Rails
  • Wheel Locks
  • 18-inch Euroflange alloy wheels
  • Automatic headlights
  • Rear spoiler with integrated brake light
  • Fog lights
Safety
8.7/10

The 2012 Hyundai Tucson has done pretty well in the crash tests for a car of its category. It has certainly managed to impress us all by the level of safety equipment the car is carrying. The NHTSA has given the Tucson a four-star score for frontal impact, as well as a four-star overall score, while the Tucson earns a top five-star score in both the side-impact and side pole tests. 

Further, Tucson manages to get the “Top Safety Pick” award from IIHS which shows how serious Hyundai is about safety in their cars. The 2012 Tucson covers all the usual bases for the safety-conscious. Dual front side and curtain airbags are standard, as are anti-lock brakes, traction, and stability control. Hill descent control is also standard, along with brake assist, tire pressure monitors, and active headrests. Some of the key safety features are:

  • Vehicle Stability Management 
  • Electronic Stability Control 
  • Traction Control System 
  • Brake Assist 
  • Downhill Brake Control 
  • Hillstart Assist Control
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Final Verdict

The Hyundai Tucson has really evolved from being boring and understated to be really exciting and a talked-about crossover. We have genuinely loved this transformation and for all that goes into making this car a good one, Hyundai has done a commendable job with the design and we certainly praise their efforts as they are working in the right direction. The 2012 Hyundai Tucson is very reasonably priced, is quite packed with features, and is decently good to drive as well with impressive fuel efficiency. The only thing the Tucson needs now is a turbocharged engine and a bit more power.

Features

vehicle bio
base price

$26495

body style

4dr SUV

engine type
displacement

144 cu in

horse power

176 hp @ 6000 rpm

torque

168 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

transmission

6 speed automatic w/OD and auto manual

dimensions
length

173.2 in

wheelbase

103.9 in

width

71.7 in

curb weight

3488 lbs

Height

65.2 in

Ground Clearance

7 lbs

capacity
passenger volume

101.9 cu ft

cargo volume

55.8 cu ft

passenger capacity

5 Seats

fuel economy
city/combined/highway

20/23/27 mpg

highway range

413.1 mi

warranty
basic warranty

5 yr./ 60000 mi.

See All Features & Specs

2012 Hyundai Tucson User Reviews

2.3

[37 Reviews]

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1

[5.0%] [2 Reviews]

2

[30.0%] [11 Reviews]

3

[38.0%] [14 Reviews]

4

[24.0%] [9 Reviews]

5

[3.0%] [1 Reviews]

POPULAR TAGS

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vision
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RL

Ruth Lambert

2012 Hyundai Tucson

GLS 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

6

User Overall Rating

Posted On: February 8, 2022

Valuable and economical SUV

Pros - Classy cabin design, intuitive infotainment system, good fuel economy, sporty handling, easy to maneuver and good value for money

Cons - Cramped rear seat and cargo space.

SUV with amazing attributes and sporty handling. My 2012 Tucson might not be as big as I was expecting from an ideal SUV but it amends with a classy cabin design, amazing car attributes which blew my mind, very sporty handling and all this was for just $24,000. I love it Please do not bring your car here for service! Immediately flee! We brought our brand new 2012 Hyundai in for an oil chan...

6/10
Features
3/10
Interior
7/10
Design
7/10
Safety
6/10
Reliability
7/10
Deal Value
4/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
HA

Helen Abbott

2012 Hyundai Tucson

GL 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

2

User Overall Rating

Posted On: January 29, 2022

Worst car I've ever owned!

Pros - Roomy trunk, Responsive handling

Cons - Shaky ride quality, Defective clutch plate, Excess engine vibration

Dreadful driving experience Every component from its body started making noise and the ride quality became worse after hitting 100K miles in the odo. The clutch plate got dismantled and made my driving experience dreadful. Its 2.0L non-turbo engine started vibrating more and the servicemen recommended replacing the crankshaft assembly. They demanded a whopping amount of $1,825 but I've traded wit...

3/10
Features
3/10
Interior
2/10
Design
3/10
Safety
2/10
Reliability
3/10
Deal Value
6/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
GM

Greg Mason

2012 Hyundai Tucson

GLS 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

6

User Overall Rating

Posted On: January 14, 2022

Very comfortable when the car isnt moving

Pros - Well upholstered seats, Handles good.

Cons - Poor looking exterior, Low ride comfort, Vision obstructing A-pillar.

Shout out to the amazing seats Comfort on my Tucson is a bit complicated as I really love the seat comfort and the quality of materials used to upholster the entire seat. The moment the car starts moving, the drive tends to get shaky and that messes up the overall feel of the ride. Also, my vision is partly interrupted by the A-pillar that is basically a thick chunk of a metal beam which is there...

7/10
Features
7/10
Interior
5/10
Design
6/10
Safety
6/10
Reliability
6/10
Deal Value
8/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
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Top Cars

Top User Reviews

6/10

User

Rating

Valuable and economical SUV

SUV with amazing attributes and sporty handling. My 2012 Tu...

by Ruth Lambert

2/10

User

Rating

Worst car I've ever owned!

Dreadful driving experience Every component from its body s...

by Helen Abbott

6/10

User

Rating

Very comfortable when the car isnt moving

Shout out to the amazing seats Comfort on my Tucson is a bi...

by Greg Mason

5/10

User

Rating

Reliability issue.

Unimpressive AWD system. The Hyundai Tucson has lots of neg...

by Sandra

4/10

User

Rating

Unreliable SUV

SUV which deserts you in the middle of the road I reside in...

by Trevor Hodges

view more reviews

Hyundai Tucson 5 year Cost To Own

Cash Price(MSRP)
$27,417
5 Year Cost To Own
$41,929
Total 5 year Cost To Own -  $41,929
Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5total
Depreciation$6,117$1,668$1,546$1,900$1,742$12,973
Insurance$1,147$1,209$1,254$1,337$1,333$6,280
Fuel$1,856$1,938$2,021$2,085$2,101$10,001
Maintenance$29$225$510$1,596$1,783$4,143
Repairs$41$-45$1$-42$628$583
Financing Interest$1,681$1,327$1,066$639$261$4,974
Taxes and Fees$2,328$168$196$172$111$2,975
Total Cost-To-Own$13,199$6,490$6,594$7,687$7,959$41,929
Read more about Cost-To-Own »

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