Hyundai Tucson review (2015-2020)

Driving position

You get the proper SUV feel in a Hyundai Tucson, sitting high with a clear view over the traffic. It feels far more put-together than the Hyundai ix35 this model replaces.

There’s good seat adjustment across the range, with high-spec versions like Premium getting electric adjustment too.

The front seats are pretty supportive, so long motorway runs shouldn’t feel too bad.

Comforts like heated seats are pretty common, especially if you go for newer models, and you can even get top-spec editions with cooled seats – something very few cars from this era had.

A mid-life facelift in 2018 generally improved quality, including in the seat materials and dash design, so it’s keeping an eye out for one of these.

On the whole, visibility is good out the front and sides. The shape of the rear windscreen isn’t the most accommodating in terms of visibility, nor is it the worst. A reversing camera and sensors certainly help if you’re often reverse parking.

Tech and features

Early cars tended to have seven- and eight-inch touchscreens with digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity.

Another reason you might want to focus your search on a post-facelift model is because this is when Apple CarPlay and Android Auto got fitted to the infotainment system as standard.

Higher trims also get partly digital instrument clusters, but they’re nowhere near as customisable as the latest-generation Tucson’s.

We’re increasingly grateful for this car’s interior layout compared to more modern, screen-centric layouts. There are plenty of buttons that make it easy to adjust things on the go, and we think the industry might even be going back to this type of setup. Clear signs are VW moving back to buttons and Ferrari’s new cabin layout with much more physical controls.

Hyundai’s top-spec trim levels are always known for their value, and it’s the same story here. You can get wireless phone charging, upgraded speakers, a panoramic sunroof and a powered boot lid, depending on your chosen model.

Engines and power

You won’t be buying a Hyundai Tucson for performance, but if you look in the right place, you can find some engines with a fair amount of poke.

Petrol engines are 1.6-litre units, with or without turbocharging. They produce 132hp to 177hp – the latter feels quick, but maybe not as quick as you’d hope.

1.7- and 1.6-litre diesel engines are generally the most efficient, but with around 115hp to 136hp for the most part, they’re best described as ‘sedate’.

Pick a 2.0-litre diesel if you want a good blend, with newer versions getting mild hybrid tech to keep a lid on emissions. These are generally the best for towing, too, with the highest torque figures.

Kia’s manual gearboxes are good, but the dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) makes for a far more relaxing drive.

The more powerful engines are also the ones that are available with optional four-wheel drive, so bear this in mind.

Handling and ride comfort

We think the Hyundai Tucson is one of the better-driving family SUVs, with a comfort-biased suspension that’s well suited to some of the UK’s poorly surfaced roads.

Keep to the 17- and 18-inch wheels for maximum comfort, because they get more ride-cushioning rubber. N Line’s 19-inch wheels don’t quite provide the same comfort.

It’s also very stable and planted on the motorway, where it feels quiet and refined.

And while it’s no sports car, it’s not thrown by a twisty country road.

All in all, a positive story.

Boot space

Hyundai Tucson boot space

– Boot space: 513 litres

– Incl. Rear seats folded: 1,503 litres

The Tucson’s 513-litre boot isn’t just a good benchmark against key rivals, but it’s still good by today’s standards, though some variants of the next-generation Tucson do have up to 620 litres of boot space.

It’s helped by its wide opening and low loading lip, plus you get a decent amount of floorspace (it’s not all unusable height).

Rear seats

Thanks to a reasonably long wheelbase, rear legroom is strong, and the flat floor makes it easier to fit a middle-seat passenger.

Most versions (trims and model years) also have reclining rear seats, which not only help you to optimise boot space, but also improve rear passenger comfort.

High-spec Premium models and above also get heated outer rear seats, which is a nice touch.

Storage solutions

On the whole, the Hyundai Tucson excels in storage solutions. But you’d expect that, being a family car.

Large door bins, plenty of space in the centre console, and a deep front armrest cubby are all there, and the glovebox is even cooled in some trims.

Safety

Hyundai is a brand known for building high-quality, durable and safe cars, which is partly why the Tucson got a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating when it was launched.

Because it’s a slightly older car, it doesn’t come with quite the array of kit as its successor, but it’s hardly short.

Higher trims still get blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree parking cameras.

Fuel economy

The industry-wide testing procedures from this era (WLTP) weren’t as accurate as today’s procedures, but that’s an industry issue, not a Hyundai-specific one.

Diesels claim upwards of 50mpg, but mid-40s to low-50s is probably a more realistic expectation.

The petrols aren’t so good, likely returning low- to mid-30mpg figures.

Reliability

This version of the Tucson is now old enough to be fully out of warranty, but for context, it came with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty from factory.

While you won’t get this anymore as it’s expired, it speaks volumes about Hyundai’s confidence. At the time, it was the second-best coverage on the market, after the seven-year warranty offered by sister company Kia.

Buying an older model is also good for data – there’s enough of it for us to know just how reliable the Tucson is, and how strong residual values are.

And if you do want added peace of mind with your used car purchase, we’d suggest adding cinchCover for extra protection.