Hyundai has built its reputation on delivering value and offering a great bang for the buck. But for the past few years, they have added another attribute to their reputation - striking designs. A great example of that can be found in the 2026 Hyundai Tucson.
Today's Tucson is part of the fourth generation that came out in 2022. Sandwiched between the smaller Hyundai Kona and larger Hyundai Santa Fe, the Tucson is a 5-passenger compact crossover that takes aim directly at the likes of the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4. And it does so with an attractive design that features squared wheel arches and bold creases that make their presence in the body. Tucsons of long ago used to be described as cute, but today, bold and athletic better describes it.
The 2026 Tucson is available with a conventional gas engine or as a hybrid. All gas-engine powered Tucsons use a 2.5 liter four-cylinder that makes 187 horsepower. Strangely, if you want more power out of the Tucson, you're better off going the economical route and opt for a hybrid - as it uses a turbocharged 1.6 liter four-cylinder and an electric motor that makes 231 hp. A plug-in hybrid bumps that power up to 261 hp. Hybrids use a six-speed automatic transmission and come standard with all-wheel drive while the gas engine uses an eight-speed automatic with front-wheel drive (with all-wheel drive being an option).
Gas powered Tucsons are available in five trim flavors. The SE is the base but is nicely fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, 12.3-inch infotainment center, keyless entry, push-button start as well as a ton of safety features including forward collision mitigation and lane keeping assist. The SEL ups the wheel size to 18 inches and adds some luxury to the Tucson by including a power driver's seat and heated front seats. The off-road themed XRT gets 18-inch black wheels, black exterior accents, side steps and roof rails. The SEL Premium builds off the XRT but loses the roof rails and gains a sunroof and wireless charging. The top-of-the-line Limited gets a panoramic sunroof, chrome exterior trim, heated steering wheel and a surround view camera.
The tester is an all-wheel drive Tucson XRT. Done in Rockwood Green, it has an MSRP of $36,815.
Inside, Hyundai continues their pattern of providing excellent ergonomics and an abundance of interior space despite the Tucson's small footprint. The cabin is a very pleasant place to be with front seats that offer plenty of room and rear passengers able to stretch their legs and even recline their seats. The dash arrangement is good, especially if you like high-tech as many features are controlled through the touchscreen. However, in a smart move by Hyundai, the climate control system and audio system are accessed through physical controls and buttons below the touchscreen.
On the road, the Tucson drives well and offers enough power for typical daily duties - but quick it is not. Tests show it takes about 9 seconds to reach 60 mph, so it is on the slow side. The EPA rates it at 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, for a combined mpg of 26. Driving it is easily done, though with nice, direct steering and it stays composed around corners.
When put to work, the Tucson can carry 38.7 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats - which puts it among the best in its class. Fold the rear seats down, and that space increases to nearly 78 cubic feet. Along with that, a low liftover and nice flat floor make it easy to load and unload.
Tech gurus will be happy to hear that all Tucsons are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible and display nicely on the touchscreen. There is also a voice activation system that recognizes commands well and is easy to use. And the Tucson is fitted with many driver's aids like a blind-spot warning system, adaptive cruise control and front and rear parking sensors.
Pricing for the 2026 Tucson starts at just over $31,000, making it very competitive in its class. Toss in Hyundai's basic warranty of five years/60,000 miles and coverage of the powertrain for 10 years/100,000 miles, and the Tucson continues to show why it delivers a great bang for your buck.