2018 Hyundai Tucson Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Hyundai Tucson crossover enters 2018 - its third year on the market - in current form with some new and renamed options. Now that the...

The Hyundai Tucson crossover enters 2018 - its third year on the market - in current form with some new and renamed options. Now that the new subcompact Kona has arrived, the compact Tucson is no longer Hyundai’s baby crossover, but the Tucson’s 176.2-inch length continues to sit on the smaller side of its class. However, the Tucson’s masculine, chiseled styling help it to look more substantial, and its interior is all traditional SUV with a straightforward dashboard and large, logically grouped switchgear.

Both engine choices return for 2018 with the base powertrain as a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic transmission with 164 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, which has 21 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined mpg with front-wheel drive, or 21, 26, and 23 with all-wheel drive. Alternately, a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder engine and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission eke out a bit more power at 175 hp and 195 lb-ft. Fuel economy ratings for the uprated engine stand at 25, 30, and 27 for FWD or 23, 30, and 26 for AWD.

Like previous models, the base trim for the Tucson is the SE. The SE outlines the standard equipment for the model: 17-inch alloy wheels, the 2.0-liter engine, a 5-inch color touchscreen, a 6-way driver seat, Bluetooth audio, and USB connectivity. What was formerly the SE Popular Package becomes the standalone SEL trim, which swaps in a 7-inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and adds LED daytime running and accent lights, selectable driving modes, an 8-way power driver seat, and heated front seats.

SEL Plus introduces luxury items like an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, Infinity premium audio, keyless entry and start, a better instrument panel, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Next, Value unlocks the nicer turbocharged engine along with 19-inch alloy wheels, a hands-free power liftgate, a panoramic sunroof, and LED interior lighting, but this trim lacks the leather upholstery, premium audio, and navigation of SEL Plus

Finally, the highest trim, Limited, has the turbocharged engine, leather upholstery, Infinity audio, LED low-beams and taillights, a heated steering wheel, navigation, an 8-way power passenger seat, and a chrome grille.

In the realm of safety, the Tucson comes standard with a reversing camera and six airbags. Blind-spot detection, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane change assistance are all standard. And the Limited trim gets a 3-year complimentary subscription to Hyundai’s Blue Link Connected Care service, which includes automatic collision notification and assistance. With all of that, the Tucson soared through the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) crash tests in 2017 and earned the Top Safety Pick + designation.

The Hyundai Tucson doesn’t stand out among its class in any one area, it does everything reasonably well and usually carries a price advantage over similar vehicles. As such, it’s definitely worth a look to anyone in the market for a small crossover.