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KBB.com Expert Review
You'll Like This Car If...
You'll like the Tucson if you appreciate a space-efficient design wrapped in a stylish package. Designers have emphasized cargo-carrying convenience, including an easy-to-clean composite cargo floor, tie-downs, grocery hooks and under-the-floor storage. Fuel economy is a big benefit, especially with the 140-horsepower four-cylinder engine.
You May Not Like This Car If...
Like other small SUVs, the Tucson isn't really a contender for serious off-road treks, despite its 7.8-inch ground clearance when equipped with four-wheel drive. Comfortable enough on the road with its soft and easy-riding suspension, the Tucson doesn't feel particularly sporty in regular driving.
What's New for 2007
Trim level designations are changed to GLS, SE and Limited. New optional audio units include MP3-compatible CD players.
Consumer Reviews
Based on 353 ratings for the 2005 - 2009 models.
Ronelle P.
January 20, 2018
Best vehicle ever owned!
I bought this vehicle new and it has done a great job! Its been on long road trips in the U.S. and in Germany. In 13 years it needed 3...
Tom
October 06, 2016
Best vehicle I ever owned
Additional features not included in Blue Book estimate: Custom Stereo System (w USB), Heated Seats, Michelin Tires, back seat cup...
Ruby
March 30, 2016
This is my favorite car ever!
I really love driving this car. It handles well, even in the harsh Maine winters. My whole family fits in it so that's good too. It is 8...
Lina
November 10, 2015
Best vehicle own
Purchase new 10 year old have never had any problem.
Logan s
July 23, 2015
I love my car!
First time I saw a Tucson on the road, I said to myself " that is the SUV perfect for me". The time came to get a new car, I acquired a...
Fee
July 05, 2015
Hyundai extended warranty to 100,000 miles
One of the nicest and most reliable cars I have ever driven. Besides the hatch opening, can also open just the back window to retrieve...
sher
June 04, 2015
best ever
This is a great suv. Compact in a great way. Drives great. Handles the road and highways great. I can haul, pull things great to, go...
Kathy
March 29, 2015
Tuscon 6cyl 4WD
Absolutely love my Tuscon. It has never left me on the side of the road. A few quirky things, but all resolved. Bought on a whim,...
BryceSummers
March 03, 2015
The Hyundai Tucson 2008
This car an amazing car if you are driving to school or even drive an hour or shorter. so like an office job or driving from off campus...
roty
January 05, 2015
very reliable and comfortable as well
I have owned this vehicle from 2007 was bought with 20k on it. I have had this SUV through all types of weather the 4 wheel drive is a...
Gallery
Specs
Fuel Economy
Performance
Seating Capacity
Cargo/Interior Space
Basic Warranty
Safety Ratings
Similar Vehicles
KBB Editor's Overview
With the expansion of the Santa Fe into seven-passenger territory, the Tuscan becomes Hyundai's sole competitor in the compact SUV market. Like its big brother, the Tucson is available with either front-wheel or four-wheel drive, making it a capable commuter in snow and rain and an off-road champ in mud or sand. More affordable than a comparably-equipped Honda CR-V or Jeep Compass, the Tucson successfully blends edgy and fun styling with a feature-packed equipment list that includes standard side-curtain airbags and an optional V6 engine. The Tucson's sticker price also includes Hyundai's 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty at no extra cost. And, while the Tucson can't match the Honda CR-V for fit, finish and high resale, it isn't too far off the mark.
You'll Like This SUV If...
You'll like the Tucson if you appreciate a space-efficient design wrapped in a stylish package. Designers have emphasized cargo-carrying convenience, including an easy-to-clean composite cargo floor, tie-downs, grocery hooks and under-the-floor storage. Fuel economy is a big benefit, especially with the 140-horsepower four-cylinder engine.
You May Not Like This SUV If...
Like other small SUVs, the Tucson isn't really a contender for serious off-road treks, despite its 7.8-inch ground clearance when equipped with four-wheel drive. Comfortable enough on the road with its soft and easy-riding suspension, the Tucson doesn't feel particularly sporty in regular driving.
What's New for 2007
Trim level designations are changed to GLS, SE and Limited. New optional audio units include MP3-compatible CD players.
Driving It
Driving Impressions
As long as you don't expect an invigorating experience, the easy-to-drive Tucson delivers satisfying levels of ride, comfort and performance. Pavement transitions and larger bumps or holes might toss the passengers around somewhat, but on the whole the ride is smooth, even on roads not fully paved.
Handling is similar to any small-size SUV, if perhaps less sporty-feeling than, say, a
Ford Escape or Mazda Tribute. Visibility is generally good, helped by lengthy rear-door glass, though wide rear pillars impair the view slightly. Tire noise occurs on some surfaces, but on the whole the Tucson is impressively quiet.
Favorite Features
Four-Wheel-Drive Availability
Always a sensible choice in the snowbelt, the Tuscon's Electronic InterActive Torque Management four-wheel-drive system normally sends 99 percent of engine torque to the front wheels, but can transmit what's needed to the wheels that have the most traction. A dashboard lock button provides a 50/50 torque split when needed for specific terrain, such as off-road use or extremely slippery situations.
Safety Features
Six airbags and electronic stability control aren't yet common in this price class, especially when they're included as standard equipment.
Vehicle Details
Interior
Geared toward single folks more than families, the Tucson has plenty of head and elbow space up front, as well as supportive and reasonably comfortable seats. Rear space is a bit smaller than average for this class, but helpful features make up for some of the loss. The rear seat folds flat in a single motion, without having to remove the cushion, backrest or headrests. A folding front passenger seat provides extra space as well. On the distinctive dashboard, a large hood sits above the gauge cluster. The automatic transmission's shift lever is on the lower dashboard, and the sizable glovebox is within easy reach.
Exterior
Built on a heavily-modified Elantra sedan platform, the Tucson features a fully-independent suspension that helps yield a satisfying ride. Unlike the original Santa Fe, which tended to produce a love-it or hate-it reaction, the Tucson is more conventional in appearance, styled largely like other small-scale SUVs. The Tucson also features a number of standard safety features, including Electronic Stability Control and traction control. Despite a kinship to the Kia Sportage, the two models don't look all that much alike.
Notable Standard Equipment
The GLS trim version includes anti-lock brakes (ABS), side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, remote keyless entry, power locks, windows and mirrors, AM/FM stereo with CD, Electronic Stability Control, tilt steering column, heated mirrors and alloy wheels. The Tucson SE adds a V6 engine, four-speed automatic transmission, body side cladding, fog lamps, cruise control and air conditioning. Heated leather front seats and automatic climate control go into the Limited model. The V6 is available with a four-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission only, but the four-cylinder can be matched with either a five-speed manual or an automatic.
Notable Optional Equipment
Because of its abundant standard equipment, options are few on the Tucson. The GLS offers air conditioning, an automatic transmission, cruise control, four-wheel drive and an upgraded audio unit with an MP3-compatible CD player. The SE and Limited offer heated front seats, a power sunroof, the upgraded audio system and a windshield wiper de-icer.
Under the Hood
The base four-cylinder engine offers economy of purchase and of operation. It's certainly not fast, but it has plenty of performance to deal with traffic and can get up to highway cruising speed at a nimble rate, and for many people that's fast enough. The V6 engine has slightly less fuel economy but doesn't seem to deliver an exceptionally higher level of performance in the bargain. And there is no five-speed manual available with the V6, either.
2.0-liter in-line 4
140 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
136 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/28 (2WD manual), 22/27 (2WD automatic) 22/26 (4WD manual)
2.7-liter V6
173 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
178 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 (2WD), 19/24 (4WD)
Pricing Notes
The base Tucson GLS with a five-speed manual transmission has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $17,495, with four-wheel drive it's $18,995, the SE with the V6 and automatic transmission is $21,495 and a loaded four-wheel-drive Limited tops out around $26,000. A look at the Fair Purchase Price page will show what others in your area are paying for the Tucson, so be sure to check it often before you buy. Kelley Blue Book expects the Tucson to retain good long-term resale values, better than the Chevrolet Equinox, Saturn VUE and Suzuki Grand Vitara, on par with the Jeep Compass and Kia Sportage, but below the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester.
