Hyundai Tucson Review

The Hyundai Tucson has changed role over the past few years. Earlier versions felt like sensible, value-led family transport, but the current car has pushed much further upmarket. That was already clear when this generation arrived in 2021, and the 2024 facelift sharpened the point with cleaner styling, a more contemporary interior and upgraded tech.

That matters because the family-SUV class is packed with good options. The Hyundai Tucson now has to make sense not only against mainstream alternatives such as the Kia Sportage, Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai, but also against more polished-feeling cars such as the Volkswagen Tiguan and even lower-end premium options.

The good news is that the Hyundai Tucson has a lot going for it. It is spacious, practical and generally feels more expensive inside than Hyundais once did. It also offers a wider choice of electrified engines than many rivals, ranging from a simple petrol to full hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.

The latest UK line-up has changed quite a bit, though. Older SE Connect, Premium and Ultimate trim names have given way to a new range led by Element, Black Line, N Line Edition, Ultimate and N Line S. The plug-in hybrid also now sits more clearly as a higher-end option within that structure.

The weak spots have not disappeared. Ride comfort can be a little abrupt on big wheels, the dual-clutch automatic is not the smoothest transmission of its type, and the Hyundai Tucson is no longer cheap enough to get away with any rough edges. But taken as a whole, it remains a very strong package.

For most buyers, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Black Line will make the strongest case. The self-charging hybrid suits the car’s relaxed family-SUV character better than the entry petrol, and Black Line gives you a strong spread of desirable equipment without pushing too far into top-spec money.

The plug-in hybrid is worth considering if you can charge regularly and want to make use of its electric range, but it is harder to justify if you will mostly run it as a conventional hybrid.

Element is not badly equipped, but the Hyundai Tucson looks and feels more complete once you step into Black Line or N Line Edition.

The current Hyundai Tucson range starts at £30,935 for the Element trim. Black Line starts at £33,435, N Line Edition at £36,185, while Ultimate and N Line S both start from £38,685 depending on powertrain.

That means the Hyundai Tucson is no longer a cut-price family SUV. It still tends to include more standard equipment than some rivals, which softens the blow, but it now sits in very similar territory to cars such as the Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and better-specified Ford Kuga models.

The Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the clearest alternatives if you want a family SUV with a more restrained design and a slightly more polished feel from behind the wheel. The Skoda Karoq is also worth a look if value and straightforward usability matter most.

The Kia Sportage remains a natural rival because it shares some engineering DNA with the Hyundai Tucson, though it brings its own look and feel. The Ford Kuga and Toyota RAV4 also deserve attention if hybrid power is high on your list.

If you are willing to stretch to something that feels a bit more premium, the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 sit in roughly the same broad price territory once you start looking at higher-spec Tucsons.

The Hyundai Tucson is a roomy SUV in the way family buyers will hope for. There is loads of space in the front, plenty of useful storage and enough seat adjustment to get comfortable easily.

Rear-seat space is another strong point. Adults will fit comfortably, knee room is generous and the cabin feels airy enough that taller passengers will not feel short-changed.

Boot space is equally competitive. Depending on engine choice, the Hyundai Tucson offers between 558 and 620 litres of luggage capacity. That means even the electrified versions remain usefully practical, while the best-case figure puts the Hyundai Tucson right among the stronger cars in this class.

For context, the Hyundai Tucson can edge a Nissan Qashqai and Peugeot 3008 for outright luggage space, and it sits right in the mix with a Volkswagen Tiguan. The shape of the boot also helps, because it is wide, easy to access and not badly compromised by the rear bumper lip.

The Hyundai Tucson measures 4,515mm long, 1,865mm wide and 1,650mm high. That puts it right in the heart of the family-SUV class.

It is large enough to feel genuinely family-friendly inside, but not so big that it becomes awkward on tighter UK roads.

The 2024 facelift brought a much smarter dashboard layout and upgraded displays. Current cars use twin 12.3-inch screens, one for the driver display and one for infotainment, which makes the Hyundai Tucson feel much more up to date inside.

The system itself is one of the better ones in the class. It looks sharp, responds quickly and the menu layouts are sensible. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, and the digital driver display is crisp and easy to read.

Hyundai has also resisted the temptation to go entirely screen-dependent. The climate controls are touch-based rather than physical, but they are still separated clearly enough that the system remains easier to use than some rival set-ups.

The Hyundai Tucson’s interior quality is much better than older Hyundais led buyers to expect. Main touchpoints feel solid, the design has some flair and the overall impression is more upmarket than many mainstream rivals.

Higher trims lift things further with leather or microsuede upholstery, ambient lighting and more distinctive finishes, but even lower trims do not feel cheap.

The current Hyundai Tucson line-up is based around a 1.6-litre petrol engine with varying levels of electrification.

The entry petrol remains the simplest way into the range, but it is not the most convincing option. It is adequate rather than eager, and the Hyundai Tucson is substantial enough that the extra shove of the hybrid versions feels worthwhile.

The full hybrid is the strongest all-round choice. It gives the Hyundai Tucson a smoother, more relaxed feel around town and better efficiency without asking you to charge.

The plug-in hybrid makes the most technical sense if you can plug in frequently. Its official electric range is enough to cover a lot of everyday mileage, though the price premium means you need to use that capability to justify it.

The Hyundai Tucson handles tidily for a family SUV. There is plenty of grip, body control is decent and the steering is accurate enough to inspire confidence.

The downside is ride quality. On larger wheels in particular, the Hyundai Tucson can feel quite firm over rough surfaces. It is not uncomfortable enough to be a deal-breaker, but it is not as cushy as some buyers may expect from a family-focused SUV.

The transmissions are another mixed area. Hyundai’s dual-clutch automatic can feel a little hesitant at lower speeds, while the six-speed automatic in the hybrid models is smoother but still not especially slick by class standards.

The Hyundai Tucson holds a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, first published in 2021 and retained through the 2024 facelift review. That remains a strong result for a family SUV.

Standard safety equipment is generous, and the higher trims add even more driver-assistance features. Across the range, the Hyundai Tucson feels competitive and reassuring on this front.

The entry petrol manages up to 41.5mpg, which is respectable rather than exceptional. The full hybrid improves that to up to 49.6mpg, making it the more convincing everyday choice for many buyers.

The plug-in hybrid has the strongest headline numbers thanks to its electric-only capability, but as ever those will only make sense if you keep the battery charged and use it regularly.

Hyundai continues to cover the Tucson with its five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty. That remains one of the strongest offers in the class and is a major part of the Tucson’s appeal.

Hyundai’s approved-used programme also includes a minimum 24-month used-car warranty and 12 months of roadside assistance on eligible cars, which is useful if you are shopping nearly new.

Insurance is not especially cheap, and facelifted cars start higher than some earlier versions. Entry-level versions now begin around group 16, with higher trims and electrified models climbing from there.

That keeps the Hyundai Tucson broadly in line with the class, but it is not a budget insurance option for younger drivers.

The standard VED rate from the second year onwards is £200 a year for petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars registered on or after 1 April 2017.

The more important issue is the Expensive Car Supplement. Some Hyundai Tucson versions sit above the £40,000 threshold, which means they can attract the extra charge from years two to six. That is worth checking carefully, especially on higher-spec trims.