Like a middle child, the Hyundai Tucson finds itself having to make some noise in order to stand out. The Kona, it’s smaller siblings, is the new kid on the block and turns heads because of its spunky performance, low price tag and modern flair. With the all-new Hyundai Venue making its appearance in 2020, the Tucson sits in a widening family of compact vehicles. It makes sense then that an upgrade is due.
2019 brings these upgrades and while they might be subtle changes, they all build toward a more robust Tucson. Still be tame by many standards, I would wager that the reliability and affordability of the refreshed 2019 Tucson is exactly what it’s customers want. The only drawback being if these same customers want some of the swanky tech upgrades that come in higher trims, they will have to pay for it.
What I dig about the 2019 Hyundai Tucson
New Engine Makes an Impression – With a name like “Ultimate,” the trim that came equipped in the Tucson I reviewed should pack a punch. And it does – to a degree. The Ultimate trim equips the Tucson with a new 2.4 Liter 4 cylinder engine under the hood that produces 181 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft of torque. While I wish it was coupled with a 7 speed transmission, the 6-speed automatic does a perfectly fine job of creating a smooth, extremely comfortable drive that kicks in a reasonable amount of power when needed. You’re not winning any races with this power train but it handles normal, day-to-day driving admirably. If you don’t want to spring for the Ultimate edition, the base model of the Tucson comes with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder configuration that actually performs better in fuel economy.
Lots of Safety Features Standard – Hyundai is going all in on safety across their lineup of vehicles and the upgraded Tucson reaps much of those benefits. Standard on all Tucson editions are the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and the Driver Attention Warning; this latter feature actually monitors your driving style to determine if you become fatigued (a warning indicated flashes when this is detected). Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic are also standard on most trims, while the Ultimate get pedestrian detection. This last feature worked extremely well – I had my wife walk behind the Tucson while I was reversed (slowly, mind you) and every single time it alerted me of her presence, even in dark lighting.
Non-Offensive Styling – In terms of curb appeal, the 2019 Tucson plays it safe and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Every line and angle of the exterior design feels purposeful and while I personally would appreciate a bit more character, the overall aesthetics are clean and handsome. The elongated headlights add a refined flair to the modest front end grill and the sloping roofline completes an aerodynamic physique. Kudos to Hyundai for not going over board with this design; the Tucson looks respectable and not overtly flashy. My only complaint comes to play in profile view; the Tucson’s front end is a bit “snub-nosed” for my taste and the placement of the running light created an awkward configuration.
Miles of Road Ahead – Fuel economy for the 2019 Hyundai Tucson is certainly a check in the “pro” column. The front wheel drive Tucson I reviewed, with the new 2.4-liter inline 4 engine, rates at 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined. Interestingly, the base model’s 2.0-liter engine garners an EPA rating of 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined.
What Didn’t Impress Me about the 2019 Hyundai Tucson
Lackluster Interior Design – While the cabin of the 2019 Tucson is certainly and pleasantly quiet while on the road, the interior design doesn’t do much in riling up excitement. The placement of the infotainment screen high up on the dash (a feature of the Ultimate trim) looks appealing but isn’t very functional. I found myself having to stretch just a bit to reach the far end of the panel. Materials throughout the cabin don’t feel as luxurious as they may appear at first glance. The plastic, silver trims around the air vents, the gauge cluster, and at the inner/bottom portion of the steering wheel don’t help either.
More Space Please – The Tucson has room for four passengers, one in front and two in back, but the total 61.9 cubic feet of total space behind the front seats don’t quiet feel like enough – particular if you’re a long legged adult like myself. The Tucson isn’t very wide either so three broad shouldered adults sitting in the back row may not fit very comfortably. The seats fold down for added cargo space but the 30.1 cubic feet the Tucson offers with the rear seats up feels sparse, mostly because the rear wheel wells appear to intrude into the cargo area.
Features Come at a Price – At $24,245 for the base model of the Tucson, there is a lot of value to be had for this great looking crossover. But to really harness all that the Tucson can really offer, drivers should really opt for higher trims – and those trims come with a price. The Ultimate Trim I reviewed offers exactly what you think it would – everything. However it comes with a heftier price tag – $32,595 to start. Still affordable, yes, but the competition in this segment is stiff and its possible to get more amenities – like larger interior spaces – for less in rival vehicles. Want to experience those snazzy safety features I mentioned earlier? You’ll have to fork over the dough for a higher trim model. Good news: Hyundai offers a great warranty package on all trims.
The Rub
The 2019 Hyundai Tucson surprised me in more ways then one and I was left with a pleasant impression at the end of my review week with it. However, it gets lost in the shuffle of small to midsize crossover SUVs in my mind and I imagine this might be the case in most consumer’s minds. Does it do enough to stand out in the midst of heavy competition? Maybe, but what’s important is what consumers will find when they take a closer look. In the Tucson, they’ll find a lot to like, a few drawbacks, and ultimately a value that consumers should certainly consider.
