Hyundai Tucson 2016-2021: what to know before you buy?
Renewed for 2022, the Hyundai Tucson is one of the most popular SUVs in Quebec, and it's fair to say that its latest design is a real eye-catcher, especially the front end! Not a fan? That's understandable. And with the price increases of recent years, especially 2024, it's nowhere near as affordable as it used to be.
If so, you might be tempted by a second-hand model. Here, we'll focus on the previous generation. Here's what you need to know about the 2016 to 2021 Hyundai Tucson...
Let's start by talking about The Car Guide's 2018 compact SUV comparison match. The Tucson ranked 5th out of the 11 models in the running, arousing no passion but being disliked by no one either. While the suspension's behavior, the comfort of the front seats, the abundance of storage space and the equipment/price ratio appealed to the majority of testers, the vehicle's weight and the numerous plastics on board caused it to lose points.
Under the hood, Korean engineers relied on two four-cylinder engines. The first, a 2-liter unit, initially developed 164 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque via a six-speed automatic gearbox, giving a fairly modest performance. The second, a 1.6-liter, benefited from a turbocharger and produced 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, plus all-wheel drive in all cases. Better, but not super-exciting either.
Fuel consumption is above average, ranging from 9 to 10.1 L/100 km depending on the engine chosen and the type of drivetrain. No hybrid variant has been offered with this generation of the Tucson. What's more, both engines can tow no more than 1,000 lb.
By the way, we mentioned the abundant storage space in the cabin earlier. What about the trunk? With a volume of 878 liters, it's about average. The same applies when the rear seats are folded down: the 1,753 liters available are nothing like those of a Honda CR-V, for example, but they're enough for the needs of a small family.
Leather upholstery, a power tailgate and a panoramic roof are among the amenities you could find in your pre-owned Tucson. For 2019, Hyundai has made a slight cosmetic update, downgraded the engine's 2-liter output (160 hp) and replaced the turbo engine with a new 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder (shared with the Santa Fe) developing 181 hp here as well as 175 lb-ft of torque.
Newer Tucsons offer BlueLink connected services, a 7 or 8-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the full range of SmartSense safety technologies. Now that's more practical and reassuring.
Any reason to be wary of the 2016 to 2021 Tucson? Let's just say that the 1.6-liter turbo engine's dual-clutch gearbox wasn't the best fit and has had its share of troubles. Engine reliability also left something to be desired. Recalls have been issued, among other things, to correct certain mechanical defects, but also for a potentially faulty hood latch and an ABS system that can short-circuit.
Consider yourself warned, and happy shopping!
