2026 Hyundai Tucson

To stand out in the red-hot compact SUV segment, you need to be really good — and the Hyundai Tucson is. In fact, we think it’s great. The Tucson is one of the smartest choices in a field that includes stalwarts like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Hyundai’s best-selling model, the Tucson’s success is warranted thanks to its innovative safety tech, ample creature comforts, and one of the roomiest interiors in its class. Putting a bow on it all is Hyundai’s unbeatable warranty that covers the powertrain for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

The Tucson is also available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, both of which we review separately.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact SUVs, including the Hyundai Tucson.

Changes for 2026 are minimal after the Tucson received a mild refresh last year. For 2026, the Tucson’s towing capacity increases from 2,000 to 2,750 pounds (hybrid variants are unchanged), the former SEL Convenience trim is now called the SEL Premium, and the XRT model gets a terrain mode with settings for mud, snow, and sand.

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson starts at $30,695 for the base SE model and spans to $40,670 for the Limited trim. Adding all-wheel drive is an additional $1,500. These are the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) and include the mandatory $1,495 delivery fee.

At its starting price just under $31,000, the 2026 Hyundai Tucson starts close to others in the segment, including its cousin the Kia Sportage, as well as the Nissan Rogue and Chevrolet Equinox. Models like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50 begin a bit higher. We think the SEL Premium trim is a particularly good value, bringing features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, faux leather upholstery, navigation, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, sunroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a more advanced adaptive cruise control system.

Before buying a new Tucson compact SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are typical for the class. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

With 187 horsepower, the Tucson’s power output is about average for the segment. It’s enough to be competent, but we wouldn’t call it much more than that. For most drivers, most of the time, the Tucson will serve them well for daily driving duties and road trips alike. And we appreciate that Hyundai has stuck with a naturally aspirated (vs. turbo) engine, which we’ve found smooth and responsive. We also like that the Hyundai Tucson uses an 8-speed automatic transmission instead of the continuously variable setups deployed by others, which have a tendency to drone.

In our testing, we enjoyed the Tucson’s smooth ride quality, composure through corners, and its relatively quiet cabin. We’d be more than willing to take a Tucson for a long road trip. From Tucson to Tarzana, maybe.

For those longer treks, we must also highlight the Tucson’s semi-autonomous driving aids. Hyundai’s adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems rank with the best we’ve tested among mainstream automakers, and using these systems has taken a lot of stress out of long freeway treks.

The Tucson’s driving manners can be tweaked with the press of the drive mode button, changing from normal to sport or an individual setting. All-wheel-drive models have a snow mode, and the more rugged XRT variant comes with two new modes for 2026: mud and sand.

Fuel Economy

With front-wheel drive, the Hyundai Tucson is EPA-rated at 28 mpg in combined city/highway driving, a respectable number. Opting for all-wheel drive reduces that to 26 mpg. If higher fuel efficiency is a priority, check out the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid or Tucson Plug-in Hybrid.

If you haven’t been car shopping in a while, prepare to be wowed when you step into a new Tucson. There you’ll be greeted by a prominent 12.3-inch central touchscreen, among the largest in the segment. At the SEL Premium trim and higher, you also get a matching 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster — a feature that until recently was reserved for luxury cars.

We also like the small touches that came with last year’s update, including the shelf above the glove compartment. That update also brought some physical controls for the heating/air conditioning system and the audio system’s volume and tuning functions, though some other functions still use a touch panel. Higher trims gain a gear shifter that’s been relocated to the steering column, freeing up space in the center console.

The Tucson is one of the roomier offerings in the compact SUV class. Rear legroom measures 39.5 inches, not far off the Honda CR-V (41 inches). There’s a generous 38.7 cubic feet of luggage area behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.8 when they’re folded. That’s only a couple of cubic feet shy of the CR-V.

Compact SUVs are among the most common vehicles on the road, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Just take a look at the Tucson — literally. We think it’s stylish yet not over the top. We’re even partial to the multiple lights in the grille; you can pick out a Tucson at night quite easily.

Tucson XRT models are arguably the most distinctive with chunky black cladding, exclusive 18-inch wheels, and black front and rear lower fascias. None of this will necessarily make it a better off-roader, but it looks more the part if you want those adventure vibes.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Back in the bad old days, Hyundai offered wireless phone integration with its smaller infotainment touchscreens, but not the larger ones. This always had us wondering why. Nowadays, every Tucson features a large screen and, hooray, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. In addition, the infotainment system can receive over-the-air updates and has USB-C ports.

Highway Driving Assist
We’re always impressed by how well Hyundai’s driver assistance features work (as well as those from cousin brands Kia and Genesis). Highway Driving Assist makes small steering corrections to keep the Tucson in its lane. When used with the standard adaptive cruise control, we’ve noticed that long freeway stretches are less tiring.

Warm and cozy
As well as the heated front seats (available from the SEL trim and up), the 2026 Tucson has a heated steering wheel in the Limited trim, along with heated rear seats with more precise temperature control.

Head-up display
The top-line Limited model also boasts a 12-inch color head-up display. It’s a slick system that helps you keep your eyes on the road.

Improved towing capacity
For 2026, the Tucson gains more towing capacity. Its max rating improves from the prior 2,000 pounds to a more useful 2,750.

Remote Smart Parking Assist
Exclusive to the top Limited trim (which is also one of the more popular Tucson variants), this feature allows drivers to inch their SUV into or out of parking spaces while standing outside.

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. This goes through an 8-speed automatic transmission to a standard front-wheel-drive system, or optional all-wheel drive. For the 2026 model year, the towing capacity of the Hyundai Tucson has increased to 2,750 pounds from the prior 2,000 pounds.

Unbeatable Warranty

Hyundai’s warranties are unbeatable. New-vehicle coverage is for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first. The powertrain warranty lasts 10 years or 100,000 miles. Hyundai also includes free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles.

Top Safety Ratings

The Tucson earns the highest overall safety ratings possible. It gets the Top Safety Pick+ designation by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and took a maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection, junction turning assistance, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist.