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2018 Hyundai Tucson

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Make
Hyundai
Model
Tucson
Year
2018
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Hyundai Tucson OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
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OEM Exterior
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2018 SE 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $22,550
2018 SEL 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $23,800
2018 SE 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $23,950
2018 Sport 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $25,150
2018 SEL 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $25,200
2018 Sport 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $26,550
2018 Value 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $26,550
2018 SEL Plus 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $26,700
2018 Value 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $27,950
2018 SEL Plus 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $28,100
2018 Limited 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $29,425
2018 Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $30,825

Overview

The Hyundai Tucson sticks to the brand’s modern-day playbook by providing a strong value with premium features, a long warranty, and looks that often exceed its price tag. However, in this hotly contested segment, this Hyundai needs to extend its focus to include power and overall refinement in order to rise to the top.

What's New for 2018

While there are no significant mechanical or styling updates, Hyundai has updated its trim hierarchy and feature content for the Tucson. The SE with Popular Equipment Package becomes the SEL, while the SE Plus becomes the SEL Plus. The Value and Limited nomenclatures remain, while the Eco, Sport, and Night trims have been discontinued for 2018.

Hyundai Tucson

Choosing Your Hyundai Tucson

Depending on the trim, Hyundai equips the Tucson with one of two powertrains while all-wheel drive is available on all trims for $1,400.

The base SE, mid-level SEL, and SEL Plus trims feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, rated at 164 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, and a traditional six-speed automatic transmission.

The Value and Limited trims come standard with a 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. This combo develops 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.

The EPA estimates the 2.0-liter with standard front-wheel drive achieves 23 miles per gallon city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 combined. The all-wheel-drive system lowers these estimates to 21 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined, which is a significant penalty when compared to its competitors. The more powerful and efficient 1.6 liter turbo model achieves 25 mpg city, 30 highway, and 27 combined while AWD reduces these EPA estimates to 24 mpg, 28, and 25 combined.

Hyundai has reconfigured the trim levels and has built in some price and feature overlap between the mid-range SEL Plus and the Value packages - meaning, the turbocharged engine doesn’t necessarily correspond with the more luxuriously equipped vehicle.

There are no factory options available on any trim, except for the top-tier Limited trim.

Hyundai Tucson

SE

The base SE trim starts at $23,500 (including $950 destination charge) and features a rearview camera, 17-inch alloy wheels, a five-inch touchscreen audio interface, body-color heated mirrors, and a stain and odor resistant seat fabric when equipped with the gray and beige interiors.

Hyundai Tucson

SEL

Stepping up one level to the newly named SEL trim, priced at $24,750, the interior gains a larger seven-inch touchscreen audio interface interface that has SiriusXM, HD radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto capability, heated eight-way power seats, and illuminated vanity mirrors. Fog Lights, LED daytime running lights and and other exterior trim further sharpen the Tucson’s appearance.

Hyundai Tucson

SEL Plus

The SEL Plus, $27,650, is a bit of an oddity in the line-up. It sticks with the base 2.0-liter engine, but the level of standard equipment is second only to the Limited trim. Notable features and upgrades include an eight-inch touchscreen display, proximity entry with push-button start, eight-speaker premium audio, leather seating, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and stitching on the dash and door panels. From the active-safety arena, the SEL Plus features blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert but lane keep assist and automatic emergency braking aren’t available until the Limited trim.

Hyundai Tucson

Value

Arguably the star of the Tucson line, the Value trim adds a turbocharged engine and plenty of equipment for less money than the SEL Plus, at $27,500. Highlights include 19-inch wheels, a hands-free power liftgate, and a panoramic sunroof. Its feature list is based on the SEL Plus but there are several features that didn’t meet Hyundai’s expectations for value: premium audio, power passenger seat, and the interior material upgrades. The absence of those items isn't enough to overshadow the Tucson Value's additional power, better fuel economy, or lower price, though.

Hyundai Tucson

Limited

The Limited trim starts at $30,375 and features all of the equipment included with the SEL Plus trim plus LED headlights and taillights, 19-inch wheels, and a heated steering wheel – new for 2018. There is an option package called the Ultimate Package for $2,500. It includes automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, ventilated front seats, HID headlights with dynamic bending, a panoramic sunroof, and parking sensors.

CarsDirect Tip

The Value trim is the least expensive trim available with basic active safety features. In fact, stepping up to this trim brings a fairly comprehensive feature list including the the upgraded powertrain. The Value trim, is indeed, the best in all around value - acting in the true sense of the word.

Get your price on a Hyundai Tucson »

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Editor

Compact SUVs usually offer an ideal combination of passenger room, utility and towing capabilities. Hyundai’s Tucson represents this segment well, delivering a simple but appealing look, a comfortable ride and three four-cylinder engine choices.

Best Value

The 2018 Hyundai Tucson is one of nearly a dozen models in its segment, delivering five separate grades covering a range of prices from budget-friendly to surprisingly well equipped. The Tucson SE serves as the base, while the SEL, SEL Plus, Value, and Limited round things out.

Our pick here is the Value edition as it offers, you guessed it, excellent value — not just for the Tucson, but for all small SUVs. The Tucson Value Edition offers the same 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine found in the top-of-the-line Limited and brings in a panoramic sunroof, a very convenient hands-free tailgate, and rear parking sensors. That’s in addition to the features offered in lower trims, including LED daytime running lights, heated front seats, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, blind spot detection, lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert. We'd pass on the $1,400 all-wheel-drive system unless you live in place where winter happens, as it saps two miles per gallon on the highway.

  • Model: 2018 Hyundai Tucson Value
  • Engine: 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
  • Output: 175 hp/195 lb-ft
  • Transmission:Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
  • Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
  • MPG: 25 city/30 highway
  • Options: : All-wheel drive ($1,400)
  • Base Price: $27,500
  • Best Value Price:$26,500

Performance

Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson’s 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder delivers ample low-range power, steadily increasing as you reach highway speeds. That’s better than the base engine, which feels sluggish. The dual-clutch transmission shifts without hesitation and does so smoothly too. The powertrain is also very quiet, particularly at idle.

Steering and handling are not this model’s strong suit. Then again, small SUVs are usually not especially sporty unless you pay for it. On the other hand, ride comfort is fairly firm, yet comfortable.

Style

In its current form, the Hyundai Tucson offers a more relaxed canvas, leaving behind the busy surfaces of the previous model. The curves are handsome, not overwrought, and impart a look that is at once sporty as it is elegant.

The Tucson borrows its design cues from the larger Santa Fe. The six-sided grille is ideally proportioned and the headlamps with LED accent lights complete its beautiful expression. This model has 19-inch sport alloy wheels, power-operated side mirrors and approach lights.

Inside, the Tucson offers two rows of seating and can fit five, although four is best. The rear seat sits upright, but a reclining feature supplies a more comfortable seating position and environment. Even tall passengers can sit in the back, although watch your head while getting in or out. Cargo space measures 30.1 cubic feet, but that’s smaller than most of the Tucson’s rivals.

Above the base SE model, the cabin offers an expected level of plastics along with soft-touch materials. The leather seats lend an upscale touch. We aren’t especially keen on the interior controls as the button and knobs look alike and that can be distracting while driving. The quiet cabin is another plus for this compact SUV.

The Best and Worst Things

Hyundai’s generous warranties, including a five-year, 60,000-mile new vehicle and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty set this brand apart from most others.

Top tech features such as dynamic bending lights and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection are restricted to the Limited trim and only as part of an optional $2,500 package.

Right For...

Hyundai Tucson

Buyers wanting a well-equipped model without busting the bank. Small SUV models continue to grow in popularity and price, but the Value edition demonstrates that affordability is possible without sacrificing amenities.

Wrong For...

Consumers needing maximum standard cargo space. The Tucson’s roomy rear seat comes at a price to utility space.

The Bottom Line

In the Tucson, Hyundai delivers all the right features in an affordable package and combines that with excellent warranties few rivals can match. It is a winning combination and may be enough to pull this model apart from the pack.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.6L I-4 / 175 HP / 195 ft.lbs.
Transmission
7-spd SHIFTRONIC auto-shift man w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
25 / 30 / 27 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.6L I-4 / 175 HP / 195 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
25 / 30 / 27 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
16.4 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$63
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
61.9 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
102 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
176.2 "
Exterior Width
72.8 "
Exterior Height
64.8 "
Front Headroom
39.6 "
Rear Headroom
39.2 "
Front Legroom
41.5 "
Rear Legroom
38.2 "
Front Shoulder Room
57.1 "
Rear Shoulder Room
55.5 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,532 Lbs.
Wheel Base
105 "
Turning Radius
17.5 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
19.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated, Convex Spotter Driver
Bumpers
Front Body-colored With Colored Insert
Grille Moldings
Metal-look W/chrome Surround
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Leather
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Armrests
(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Clock, Seek-scan
Speakers
8 Infinity
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror
Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
3
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Autonomous Emergency Braking (aeb) With Pedestrian Detection Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Blind Spot Detection (bsd) With Lane Change Assist (lca) Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Warning System (ldws) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Directionally Adaptive
Parking Sensors
Rear
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Major Components Months
120 Months / 100,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
84 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles

Used 2018 Hyundai Tucson for Sale

6 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
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