Used 2019 Hyundai Tucson

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson is a compact-crossover SUV, vying for the same buyers as the ever-popular Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and the highly rated Mazda CX-5. Where the Tucson makes its case is with a generous amount of standard equipment and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This model year sees a substantial shaking up of the Tucson, bringing advanced driver aids as standard, new looks for the front and rear, an updated interior with more equipment made available (such as wireless-device charging), and revised powertrain selections. This keeps it competitive in what is perhaps the most hotly contested segment at the moment.

Hyundai hasn’t said whether it gave the 2019 Tucson more sound insulation, but this aspect didn’t need improving. The cabin is noticeably tranquil even at freeway speeds where wind whoosh, road noise and engine drone afflict a few rivals. The suspension is similarly calm and composed, although the larger wheel sizes do have a negative impact on ride comfort. We’d like more feel from the steering, since it’s a bit vague, but we could say that in about 99 percent of cars now electric assistance is the norm. Selecting Sport mode from the drive settings tweaks the responses of the throttle and transmission for a little more fun.

The 2019 Tucson receives a fresh center stack topped off by a new infotainment touch screen, panel vents, rearview mirror, instrument cluster and a new design for the leather-covered seats in the Limited trim. 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. Even if they’re not class-leading roomy, the rear seats are comfortable enough, and the luggage area’s adjustable floor also includes storage for the cargo cover. With the rear seats in place, cargo space is 31 cubic feet. When folded, 61.9.

The new look for the 2019 Hyundai Tucson is arguably easy on the eye, especially if you’re a fan of Audi’s styling approach. There’s nothing wrong with a mainstream marque paying homage to something upscale and successful. It makes the commute more bearable and lets the owner feel good about his smart purchase. The new Tucson also brings some fresh alloy-wheel designs. Dimensions-wise, there isn’t much difference, but that’s absolutely fine. Beneath the styling is a chassis that uses more than 50-percent high-strength steel, contributing to the Tucson’s excellent safety credentials.

SMART POWER TAILGATE
Never underestimate the power of convenience. This hands-free tailgate operation doesn’t even need a dancing foot under the rear bumper. Just stand behind the vehicle for a few seconds with the key fob somewhere in your possession and the tailgate opens automatically.

YES ESSENTIALS STAIN PROTECTION
Spills and mishaps are a fact of family car life, so Hyundai brings stain-resistant Yes Essentials technology to 2019 Tucson models with cloth upholstery. As well as minimizing stains, the fabric also inhibits odors and reduces static electricity.

A generous equipment level for the money has long been a hallmark for Hyundai. In ascending order, the 2019 Hyundai Tucson trim levels are: SE, Value, SEL, Sport and Limited. SE starts off with a 164-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated/power-folding side mirrors, 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, Bluetooth, and all the new additions mentioned above. The obviously but aptly named Value trim adds blind-spot monitoring, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, satellite radio, and keyless entry/ignition. LED headlights and taillights come in at the Sport level, while the Limited trim has leather seating surfaces, 8-inch infotainment touch screen, navigation, adaptive cruise control, and an upgraded Infinity audio system.

All-wheel drive is optional on every trim level. The bigger 181-horsepower engine goes into the SEL trim and above. It’s only the top Limited trim that’s eligible for most of the options. These include pedestrian detection for the forward-collision mitigation system, driver-attention monitoring, rain-sensing wipers, panoramic sunroof, wireless-device charging, and heated rear seats.

Changes for the 2019 Tucson extend into the engine bay as well. The first two trim levels, S and Value, employ a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 164 horsepower. It does its job, but not in any particularly refined manner. The rest of the range is propelled by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower. Both engines connect to a 6-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive (AWD) is available with either engine, replacing the standard front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup. AWD Tucson models offer a “lock” feature, enabling a 50/50 torque split between the front and rear wheels for better grip in slippery conditions.

2.0-liter inline-4
164 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
151 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/30 mpg (FWD), 22/25 mpg (AWD)

2.4-liter inline-4
181 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
175 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/28 mpg (FWD), 21/26 mpg (AWD),