2026 Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson sits in the middle of Hyundai's sizable SUV lineup. It's larger than the Venue and Kona but smaller than the three-row Santa Fe and Palisade. Like most of its SUV siblings, the Tucson is a competitive SUV. The hybrid version is one of our favorite small SUVs, and the non-hybrid version is similarly impressive, with the lower trim levels representing solid value. There's also the separately reviewed Tucson Plug-in Hybrid. The Tucson was refreshed last year with updated styling, new tech features and more standard features. For 2026, Hyundai updated the Tucson's trim level lineup, but its features stayed the same.

If cost is your biggest priority, stick with the affordable SE and SEL standard gas-only trims. But our biggest complaints about the non-hybrid engine are its slow acceleration and subpar fuel economy. The hybrid version adds a lot more power and is one of the quickest in its class. The Blue SE and SEL hybrid trims cost about $3K more and provide a much peppier engine with about 10 more mpg in combined driving. The premium is worth it if it fits your budget. However, midlevel non-hybrid trims like the XRT and SEL Premium cost about as much as the SEL and SEL Convenience hybrid trims and only come equipped with a few more features. The Tucson Plug-in Hybrid is much pricier but can potentially save you a lot of money on gas if you charge it daily.

The Kia Sportage is the Tucson's corporate cousin that offers the same non-hybrid, hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines. It has similar tech features and is a smart choice for a small SUV. The Honda CR-V is another worthy alternative that offers standard gas and hybrid engines. The Volkswagen Tiguan was recently redesigned and boasts a luxurious top trim level with strong turbo power. But a hybrid engine isn't available yet. The Toyota RAV4's redesign this year made it significantly better, and it's now only offered as a hybrid. Check out our Expert Rating below to help you decide if the Tucson is right for you.