2018 Hyundai Tucson
What’s new
- New SEL and SEL Plus trim levels
- New engine for Sport trim level
- Eco and Night trim levels discontinued
- Part of the third generation introduced for 2016
Pros & Cons
- Lots of features for the money
- Top safety scores
- Optional turbocharged engine delivers peppy acceleration
- Comfortable ride on rough roads
- Slow acceleration with base engine
- Less cargo space than top rivals
- Some advanced driver safety aids only available on top trim
- Some disappointing interior pieces
2018 Hyundai Tucson pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Which Tucson does Edmunds recommend?
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
7.2 / 10There's a lot to like about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson. First and foremost is value. You get a ton of features for the money in the Tucson. A power driver seat, heated front seats, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard on all but the base trim, for instance. The Tucson's top trim level, the Limited, includes features such as a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, ventilated seats, LED headlights and a navigation system, all for a price that's thousands less than what you'll pay for some comparably equipped rival crossovers.
Another top attribute for the Tucson is its cabin space. Though it doesn't have as much cargo room as a Honda CR-V or other more family-focused SUVs, it does have a comparable amount of backseat space for adults. Indeed, the Tucson is a pretty good choice for single folks or young couples looking for a little SUV that doesn't scream "Parenting!" It could also be a good choice for those on the opposite end of child-raising years.
On the downside, the 2018 Tucson comes up a little short in the "going the extra mile" department. It's a bit bland to drive, especially with the base engine, and the interior design isn't as luxurious as that of some rivals. Overall, though, we think the Tucson is a smart pick for a small crossover SUV.
2018 Hyundai Tucson models
The 2018 Hyundai Tucson is a five-passenger compact crossover SUV. It is available in SE, SEL, Sport, SEL Plus, Value and Limited trim levels. The SE, SEL and SEL Plus come standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (164 horsepower, 151 pound-feet of torque). The Sport is exclusively powered by a 2.4-liter engine (181 hp, 175 lb-ft). Both engines are paired to a six-speed automatic. The Value and Limited have a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder (175 hp, 195 lb-ft) and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on all trims, and all-wheel drive is optional.
The Tucson SE comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, a windshield wiper de-icer (AWD only), heated mirrors, an integrated blind-spot mirror, privacy glass, a rearview camera, a height-adjustable driver seat, stain-resistant cloth upholstery, a 60/40-split folding back seat, Bluetooth, one USB port, a 5-inch touchscreen, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player.
The SEL adds LED running lights, foglights, roof rails, a power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite radio.
Under the hood of the Sport is a 2.4-liter engine unique to this trim. Also included are 19-inch wheels, exterior styling enhancements, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems, lane keeping assist, keyless entry and ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents.
The SEL Plus retains many of the Sport's upgrades though it reverts to the SEL's engine and wheels. The SEL Plus also adds a power-adjustable passenger seat, a sliding front center armrest, leather upholstery, upgraded door trim, Hyundai's Blue Link connected services, an 8-inch touchscreen, integrated navigation and an eight-speaker Infinity sound system.
The Value adds the turbocharged engine plus 19-inch wheels, a hands-free liftgate, a panoramic sunroof and different exterior trim. However, it reverts to the stain-resistant cloth upholstery and 7-inch touchscreen, and it does not include the power passenger seat, the integrated navigation system or the Infinity sound system.
Those items are included on the top Limited trim, which also tacks on LED headlights and taillights, chrome exterior trim, leather upholstery and the 8-inch touchscreen. The panoramic sunroof is not standard. The Tucson's only factory options are included in the Limited Ultimate package, which adds adaptive xenon headlights (in place of the fixed LED headlights), lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear parking sensors, the panoramic sunroof, an upgraded driver information display, ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Hyundai Tucson Limited (turbo 1.6L inline-4 | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic | FWD).
NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the Tucson Limited has only gained some extra equipment, so our impressions remain the same.
Scorecard
| Overall | 7.2 / 10 |
| Driving | 7.0 |
| Comfort | 7.0 |
| Interior | 7.0 |
| Utility | 6.0 |
Driving
7.0Acceleration
6.5Braking
8.0Steering
7.0Handling
7.0Drivability
7.0Comfort
7.0Seat comfort
7.0Ride comfort
8.0Noise & vibration
7.5Interior
7.0Ease of use
7.0Getting in/getting out
7.5Roominess
8.5Visibility
6.0Quality
7.0Utility
6.0Technology
Sponsored cars related to the Tucson
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson.
Trending topics in reviews
- interior
- value
- comfort
- engine
- appearance
- fuel efficiency
- spaciousness
- seats
- climate control
- reliability & manufacturing quality
- acceleration
- technology
- warranty
- maintenance & parts
- handling & steering
- ride quality
- transmission
- sound system
- wheels & tires
- infotainment system
- doors
- dashboard
- road noise
- safety
- steering wheel
- driving experience
- towing
- visibility
- oil
- brakes
- off-roading
Most helpful consumer reviews
Easy to get in and out of, especially for older folks. Wonderful seating 4 people plenty of leg room, rear seat backs recline for rear comfort too. Controls handy, simple, and user friendly, handling is great, easy parking with backup camera. The 2.0 liter engine provides good zip in city driving, Not recommended for speed demons who pass frequently on 2 lane roads. A little underpowered at high speeds, but that helps mileage. The 6 speed tranny works great, has a sport mode that helps a bit for acceleration. Rear cargo mat is handsomely carpeted on one side, flip it over and it becomes a rubber pan so no spills. We live in Minnesota so we need the AWD version. The warranty is the best in the industry! 5 years 60k bumper to bumper and 10 years 100k drivetrain warranty. Styling, value, ride, room and warranty sold us on the Tucson, not too big but not to small. We kept our last Hyundai 10 years on 178,000 miles. never used the warranty but started to have some AC and brake issues at 175,000 so we traded in on anew one.
Buy the 2.4L, 4 cylinder. The 1.6L turbo may provide more horsepower, but there is a hesitation in the acceleration that is not present in the 2.4L. Previously owned a Mazda CX5 Touring FWD and a Honda CRV-EX FWD, while both provided a little more cargo room, the road noise was unbearable and the Honda CVT vibration, when stopped was more than annoying. The Tucson is much quieter, hence, more pleasant to drive. The Hyundai Tucson Sport was not ranked in the top 3 Compact SUVs by most reviews but in my opinion, it is underrated. Entry and Exit of the Tucson is easy, headroom and legroom is abundant. The cargo area with back seats in the upright position is sufficient for everyday use. Apple Car Play is standard and removes the need of Navigation purchase. The only thing we wish it had was either a power passenger seat or at least a passenger seat height adjuster.
I'm a researching kind of person before making any large purchase decisions. I believe in quality and value. To top it off I work for Honda at a manufacturing plant! I compared this Tucson to the HR-V and CRV. First my wife had to have leather! I had to have reliability. To get leather in the HRV you have to pick the Top of the line EXL with Navi. The one I liked was was over $26,000 as test driven. The Tucson, a bigger vehicle and actually more comfort options I only paid $24000 after incentives. Honda had none and even as an employee I had no incentive. The ride of the Tucson was better, the interior and exterior design was superior. The ride of the Tucson was much better too. I'm a 225 lb. man and getting out of the Tucson was much more comfortable. The interior noise was less in the Tucson and the audio sound with the Infinity Sound in the Tucson way outdid the HRV. So I know that Honda has a better resale over time but I keep my vehicles until they are ready to be scrapped. Top it off I get a 100,000 mile 10yr powertrain warranty, three years app remote start and 5yr bumper to bumper the value of the Tucson is superior with my situation. By the way my research also showed the 2018 Tucson he the best initial quality award from JD Powers. This beat the Honda hands down! Remember, I work for Honda too!
Rented this car for a long trip. Liked it so much a week later I went to local dealership and bought a brand new one. The kids love the room and it has everything I could want in a suv
Features & Specs
| SEL 4dr SUV 2.0L 4cyl 6A | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $23,800 |
| MPG | 23 city / 30 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 5 |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Horsepower | 164 hp @ 6200 rpm |
| SE 4dr SUV 2.0L 4cyl 6A | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $22,550 |
| MPG | 23 city / 30 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 5 |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Horsepower | 164 hp @ 6200 rpm |
| Limited 4dr SUV 1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $29,425 |
| MPG | 25 city / 30 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 5 |
| Transmission | 7-speed automated manual |
| Horsepower | 175 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| SEL Plus 4dr SUV 2.0L 4cyl 6A | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $26,700 |
| MPG | 23 city / 30 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 5 |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Horsepower | 164 hp @ 6200 rpm |
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Tucson safety features:
- Blind-Spot Detection
- Monitors your blind spot for cars and warns you through visual and, if needed, audible alerts.
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- v
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Helps keep you in your lane by applying some steering input when it detects the car is approaching or crossing the line.
NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
| Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5 / 5 |
| Driver | 5 / 5 |
| Passenger | 5 / 5 |
| Side Crash Rating | |
| Overall | 5 / 5 |
| Side Barrier Rating | |
| Overall | 5 / 5 |
| Driver | 5 / 5 |
| Passenger | 5 / 5 |
| Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings | |
| Front Seat | 5 / 5 |
| Back Seat | 5 / 5 |
| Rollover | |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 |
| Dynamic Test Result | No Tip |
| Risk Of Rollover | 15.5% |
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
| Side Impact Test | Good |
|---|---|
| Roof Strength Test | Good |
| Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint | Good |
| IIHS Small Overlap Front Test | Not Tested |
| Moderate Overlap Front Test | Good |
Hyundai Tucson vs. the competition
2018 Hyundai Tucson
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Hyundai Tucson vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is the Tucson's larger corporate sibling. The Santa Fe Sport's cabin is trimmed with nicer materials than its smaller sibling's interior, and its list of optional features is more extensive. The price difference between the two is fairly modest, so the choice mostly depends on whether you want the Santa Fe Sport's larger size.
Hyundai Tucson vs. Honda CR-V
Like the Santa Fe Sport, the CR-V is a true compact that provides superior passenger and cargo room compared to the Tucson. Most CR-V trims are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that provides decent acceleration and superior fuel economy to any of the Tucson's engines. The CR-V is the more expensive vehicle, but we think it's a better choice.
Hyundai Tucson vs. Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is basically Kia's equivalent of the Tucson. Though it's a little more expensive than the Tucson, the higher price tag is partially justified because the Sportage is powered by more potent engines. On the other hand, the Tucson has some luxury features, including ventilated front seats and lane keeping assist, that aren't available in the Sportage.
More about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson
2018 Hyundai Tucson Overview
The 2018 Hyundai Tucson is offered in the following submodels: Tucson SUV. Available styles include SEL 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A), SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A), Limited 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM), SEL Plus 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A), Value 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM), Limited 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM), Value 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM), SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A), SEL Plus 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A), SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A), Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 6A), and Sport 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A).
What do people think of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2018 Tucson 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 Tucson.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 Tucson featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
Which 2018 Hyundai Tucsons are available in my area?
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Should I lease or buy a 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Hyundai lease specials