With a huge collection of features and a smooth, comfortable performance, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson is an all-star option. This five-seat compact crossover also comes at a great price, with an excellent bang-to-buck ratio.
Outside, the 2021 Tucson impresses with its windswept curves and sleek front-end flourishes. Standard power-folding mirrors help you squeeze into a tight spot while the front solar glass and rear privacy glass help keep you cool and collected. Options—including LED headlights, chrome trim, and the panoramic sunroof—give this Hyundai crossover a little extra pizzazz.
The Tucson is known for its roomy interior, with impressive head and legroom in all five seats. Whether you go with the standard cloth or upgrade to leather upholstery, you’ll appreciate the Tucson’s cushy, supportive seats. The standard dual-level cargo floor also offers greater security, giving you a place to tuck valuables out of sight. Climb the Tucson trim levels for increasing modern comfort, with options that include heated and ventilated front seats and rear air vents.
The Tucson offers two engine options, both of which combine sporty power with day-to-day efficiency.
The SE and Value trim models come standard with the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s pretty proficient, giving you enough speed for a confident trip around town or into fast-moving highways. All other trim models supply extra speed via the bigger 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.
Whichever trim model you select, you’ll love the Tucson’s controlled handling, which helps you feel secure around corners and sharp bends in the road. The precise, balanced steering is another nice touch.
Fuel mileage varies a little bit according to which Tucson powertrain you select. The most efficient combination is the base 2.0-liter engine with front-wheel drive, which happens to be standard equipment. That means you can earn optimal mileage at no extra cost!
If you decide to add all-wheel drive to either powertrain, fuel mileage drops slightly due to the added weight of the all-wheel-drive system.
This small crossover is pretty muscular, and when properly equipped, either Tucson engine can help you tow a hefty recreational vehicle, such as a Jet Ski, four-wheeler, or snowmobile.
Just like its fellow Hyundais, the Tucson is loaded with infotainment features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, for example, can be found at every trim level. This smartphone technology displays apps on the Tucson’s touch-screen infotainment interface, handy when you want to switch from music playlists to podcasts . Meanwhile, the optional charge-only rear-seat USB port and wireless smartphone charging pad keep compatible devices up and running.
The Tucson comes standard with a few important safety features such as lane-keeping assist and forward collision mitigation. Both systems can intervene to keep you out of harm’s way, hitting the brakes or gently steering you back to safety. Also, as you move up the Tucson trim levels, you’ll enjoy a stronger safety net, with options like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
The Tucson trim hierarchy starts with the basics and adds more and more in luxury features as you move up the list. Choose from six trims: SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate.
The entry-level Tucson impresses with its extensive infotainment gear. Standard equipment includes Hyundai’s infotainment system, which provides prime access to smartphone apps with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The SE also features some important safety net features—namely, forward collision mitigation and lane-keeping assist. These systems detect danger, but they can also intervene to help you avoid that danger.
The Tucson Value is a great choice for sporty drivers who don’t want to spend a lot. It adds to the SE’s tech-savvy lineup with roof rails, a feature you need to haul sizable sports gear like paddle boards and kayaks. When the weather turns frosty, the heated exterior mirrors help Value drivers maintain visibility. The Value model also adds convenience, with keyless entry and ignition and heated front seats.
The SEL adds stylish touches, including soft-touch door trim and 18-inch wheels. While its dual-zone automatic climate control maintains two separate temperatures for driver and front passenger, perfect for couples who can’t agree on what’s comfortable.
The Sport adds to the aforementioned features with more in luxury, technology, and style. The hands-free liftgate is a favorite, especially for drivers who haul lots of cargo. Outside, 19-inch wheels and LED headlights give this Tucson a little extra flash. Inside, the leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded audio system, and wireless smartphone charging pad give this model a luxury vibe.
The Limited is even more luxurious. This Tucson adds chrome exterior trim and leather upholstery, two features that put a stylish spin on your daily drive. The surround-view camera system is another favorite feature; it provides a top-down look at the Tucson as you pull into parking spaces.
The Ultimate is fully loaded with most of the aforementioned features, along with exclusive items like ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Its panoramic sunroof offers an expansive view of the sky above and infotainment system gets an upgrade, via a bigger 8-inch touchscreen and integrated navigation features.
Every 2021 Hyundai Tucson was designed to be dependable, but you never know what might go wrong, which is why Hyundai offers one of the best warranties available. Each of these compact crossovers comes with impressive coverage, including:
Hyundai previewed the fully redesigned 2022 Tucson at the LA auto show in 2019. When it hits the streets later this year, it’ll offer an optional plug-in hybrid powertrain and a brand new high-performance model: the Tucson N Line trim, enticing shoppers with an increasingly powerful, sporty performance.