DecodedCarsHyundai Tucson
22 model years from 2005 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2005–2026
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Latest engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl
- Best MPG
- 22–38 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2025)
- Recalls
- 29 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2016 (1,626)
- Fewest problems
- 2021
- Interest
- 22,259 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 Tucson in brief
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 182 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,468 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 38 MPG combined (38 city / 38 highway), 47% better than the 2026 small SUV average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $1,750 a year in fuel.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the forward collision avoidance.
The Hyundai Tucson has 22 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2026, classed as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD.
Its most efficient year was 2026 at 38 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 22 to 38 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the engine (2,403), power train (1,193), unknown or other (911).
Buying used? 2021 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2016 is the year to avoid.
2025 has the most recalls (7); all years together count 29 campaigns and 6,360 owner complaints.
How the 2005 Tucson compares
The 2005 Hyundai Tucson is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 2.7L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 171 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,547 lb (4dr SUV AWD Gls).
About the Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is a compact crossover SUV produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai. It is named after the city of Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
From the Wikipedia article "Hyundai Tucson", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 Tucson pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 38 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Best and worst years to buy used
2021 Tucson
80 owner complaints · 1 recall · 3 fire reports · 2 crash reports
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2016 Tucson
1,626 owner complaints · 5 recalls · 26 fire reports · 14 crash reports
Most reported: Power Train
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
Tucson changes by model year
- 2022
- New body dimensions: 5.9 in longer, wheelbase +3.6 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- New hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions
- Engines added: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl
- Engines dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 25 to 38
- 2019
- Engine dropped: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
- 2018
- Engine added: 2.4L 4-cyl
- 2017
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2016
- New body dimensions: 3.2 in longer, wheelbase +1.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 2.4L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 25 to 28
- 2011
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl
- 2010
- New body dimensions: 2.7 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 2.4L 4-cyl
- Engines dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.7L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 26
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 22 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl | 38 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,468 lb | Not rated | 6 | 99 |
| 2025 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl | 38 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,468 lb | ★★★★★ | 7 | 448 |
| 2024 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl | 38 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,468 lb | ★★★★★ | 4 | 152 |
| 2023 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl | 38 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,468 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 182 |
| 2022 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl | 38 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,468 lb | ★★★★★ | 3 | 506 |
| 2021 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl | 25 MPG | 176.4 in | 3,602 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 80 |
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl | 25 MPG | 176.4 in | 3,602 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 179 |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl | 26 MPG | 176.4 in | 3,602 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 385 |
| 2018 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl | 27 MPG | 176.4 in | 3,602 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 399 |
| 2017 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl | 28 MPG | 176.4 in | 3,602 lb | ★★★★★ | 3 | 1,093 |
| 2016 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl | 28 MPG | 176.4 in | 3,602 lb | Not rated | 5 | 1,626 |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl | 25 MPG | 173.2 in | 3,371 lb | Not rated | 2 | 229 |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl | 25 MPG | 173.2 in | 3,371 lb | Not rated | 2 | 195 |
| 2013 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl | 25 MPG | 173.2 in | 3,371 lb | Not rated | 3 | 255 |
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl | 25 MPG | 173.2 in | 3,371 lb | Not rated | 3 | 228 |
| 2011 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl | 25 MPG | 173.2 in | 3,371 lb | Not rated | 5 | 96 |
| 2010 | 2.4L 4-cyl | 26 MPG | 173.2 in | 3,371 lb | Not rated | 4 | 32 |
| 2009 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 170.5 in | 3,241 lb | Not rated | 1 | 9 |
| 2008 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 170.5 in | 3,241 lb | Not rated | 1 | 20 |
| 2007 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 170.5 in | 3,547 lb | Not rated | 1 | 37 |
| 2006 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 170.5 in | 3,547 lb | Not rated | 1 | 49 |
| 2005 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 170.5 in | 3,547 lb | Not rated | 0 | 61 |
Alternatives to the 2026 Tucson
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 43 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Honda CR-V | 40 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Subaru Forester | 35 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2026 Mazda CX-5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 42 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Hyundai. How we calculate this →