2024 Hyundai Tucson Limited Test Drive Review: A Bargain – If You Buy It Now

The Hyundai Tucson is a well-liked compact crossover for a motive – it is trendy, comparatively reasonably priced, filled with normal options, and presents loads of usable house for a small household. Its energy comes from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a selection of front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. For these looking for a compact crossover, the Tucson weighs up nicely towards the Toyota RAV4, which is at present the market’s greatest vendor.

A refreshed model of the Tucson is shut for 2025, and whereas it is one of many best small crossovers to suggest, it is not excellent. We revisited the 2024 mannequin however in Restricted AWD type to determine if it is value attempting to attain a deal on a 2024 mannequin or whether or not you need to await the 2025 refresh to land at sellers later within the new 12 months. The Tucson begins at $27,600, however the Restricted is way more costly, coming in at $36,760. Is it definitely worth the value?

Exterior: Heavy On The Styling

Whereas the Hyundai Tucson stands out in visitors, and we like the present styling, its downside is that its stylized, sharply creased physique panel styling and upper-trim wheels will doubtless date it shortly. That is typically a problem with closely and intricately stylized automobiles, however to Tucson’s benefit, this era nonetheless manages to look recent in its fourth 12 months available on the market. It helps right here that the Restricted mannequin comes on 19-inch wheels, and Hyundai’s LED heavy headlight and taillight motif is as well-designed as it’s creatively completely different from the rest available on the market.

The Restricted trim additionally features a panoramic sunroof and all-important roof rails for that adventurous look that is not going away anytime quickly – the 2025 mannequin will lean into that tougher.

Inside: Nearly The Class Chief

Once more, Hyundai leaned into the styling contained in the Tucson, with a nice layered look and the ends of the dashboard curving into door trim – reminding us of a tub. It offers the Tucson’s inside a straightforward feeling, regardless that when you assume of a tub, you possibly can’t cease.

The leap to Restricted from the fundamental trim is huge when it comes to supplies and features, netting you a powered passenger seat, heated seats within the entrance, heated seats within the again, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and leather-trimmed seats as an alternative of material. The cabin is spacious sufficient for 4 massive individuals, together with leg room within the again.

Cargo house is nice relative to the Tucson’s general measurement and cabin house. HVAC is managed by a touch-sensitive management panel, which may very well be higher for individuals who do not set a temperature and neglect about it.

Infotainment: Some Odd Selections

Within the base mannequin, an eight-inch touchscreen is the window into the infotainment system, and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are normal on the 2 base fashions – however for some motive, wi-fi connection is just not out there on the upper trims. Simply as unusually, the gauge cluster is bigger than the bottom mannequin infotainment screens at 10.25 inches as normal, matching the touchscreen measurement in dearer trims, however you could have wired CarPlay/Android Auto.

The ten.25-inch display screen additionally upgrades the system and consists of Hyundai’s navigation and the model’s BlueLink and Linked {Car} Service. The improve additionally consists of wi-fi charging, rear USB ports, Hyundai’s wonderful Digital Key for telephone entry to locks and features, and LED inside lighting.

General, Hyundai’s infotainment feels a lower above its Japanese opponents with its on-screen styling and fast response to enter. It is intuitive sufficient to navigate particular person screens, requiring little studying effort. One minor bugbear with Hyundai, generally, is the steering wheel controls. Why Hyundai chooses to go towards the grain and make toggling a swap all the way down to skip to the subsequent observe is past us. It isn’t intuitive.

Underneath The Hood: Simply Sufficient Energy

The Tucson’s four-cylinder engine makes 187 horsepower, which is sufficient for on a regular basis driving however removed from exhilarating. Acceleration is fairly brisk, however getting in control with fast-moving visitors wants a heavy proper foot. The eight-speed automated transmission is businesslike and finds itself in the appropriate gear on the proper time with relentless reliability. Whereas it is not an engine you may need to hustle, the upside is an inexpensive 26/24/29 miles-per-gallon metropolis/freeway/mixed driving.

On The Highway: Completely Nice

There’s little to fault within the Tucson’s day-to-day driving manners. The trip is supple, the steering properly balanced to the lighter facet, whereas the cabin and infotainment system assist take the sting out of being caught in visitors. The engine has simply sufficient poke to work with the simple and direct steering to hustle round city. We have had the hybrid model on check earlier than, and we had been impressed by how nicely the bundle comes collectively – that continues to be the case right here.

The Tucson is simply as nice to drive on the freeway, and the all-wheel-drive system on our tester does a pleasant job of getting energy to the appropriate place on a brisk drive via the backroads. Attempt to get someplace in a rush, although, and physique roll begins to indicate itself, which will not impress a passenger. However, if you’d like one thing sporty, there’s loads of selection on the market.

Conclusion: If You Can Get A Good Value…

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson is an entire bundle as a small household or commuter automobile. Whereas different automobiles may beat it in a technique – we do like the inside of the Mazda CX-5 extra, and the Toyota RAV4 has the most effective popularity for reliability – we will simply suggest the Tucson, notably the center trims, as they steadiness creature comforts and value.

Nonetheless, if there are offers available on base fashions or high trim fashions because the mannequin 12 months transitions, then it is value contemplating. The 2025 mannequin comes with some high quality of life updates that can deal with our minor grips – firstly, a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen is normal throughout the vary for the brand new mannequin 12 months, as is wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The inside redesign can be one thing we’re enthusiastic about (goodbye bathtub imagery!). The 2025 model prices lower than $1,000 greater than the older mannequin, so it looks as if a no brainer to us. We’ll be driving the 2025 mannequin quickly, so if you wish to wait, we’ll be reporting on the primary drive occasion.