The 2026 Hyundai Tucson continues its mission of winning over buyers and keeps climbing the ranks. Its target audience is broader than ever, and the model continues to appeal to new customers. Hyundai has clearly invested in the right areas with this compact SUV that checks all the boxes for today's buyers.
What makes the 2026 Hyundai Tucson so appealing is the variety of powertrains it offers. It's also a versatile, reliable vehicle packed with cutting-edge technology. In short, it delivers excellent value for money no matter which version you choose.
Range and Pricing
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson lineup consists of three variants. First, there's the gasoline-only model, which starts at $37,871 including freight and PDI. Next is the hybrid version at $46,571. Finally, the Korean automaker also offers a plug-in hybrid version priced at $56,071.
The gasoline-powered Tucson is available in a single trim, the Preferred, though buyers can add the Trend package for an extra $3,700. The hybrid lineup includes the N Line ($46,571) and the all-wheel-drive Ultimate ($50,571). It's from this upper trim that buyers can also access the plug-in hybrid powertrain. Personally, I really like the way Hyundai has structured the combinations of trims and powertrains.
Category and Competition
There was a time when simply belonging to a certain brand was enough to ensure a model's success. Needless to say, those days are long gone. In today's market—especially in such a competitive segment as mainstream compact SUVs—new models must perform on all fronts to stand out. Hyundai understood this early on, which explains the Tucson's growing popularity over the past few years.
Rivals: Chevrolet Equinox, Dodge Hornet, Ford Bronco Sport, Ford Escape, GMC Terrain, Honda CR-V, Jeep Compass, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-50, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan.
Design and Technology
The Hyundai Tucson recently underwent a major update, which means its design remains largely unchanged for 2026. That's a good thing, since the Korean automaker's SUV is already quite attractive. It has plenty of character while still maintaining a sense of seriousness—two traits that aren't always easy to combine. For 2026, Hyundai has opted for a palette of more natural and subdued colors, which happens to be very much on trend these days.
Inside, the Tucson is surprisingly spacious and very comfortable. The designers managed to create a dashboard that is both modern and minimalist without eliminating too many physical controls. It's nice to still have quick access to essential functions without having to dig through multiple menus.
On the technology front, the Tucson has everything buyers could ask for, especially with its digital instrumentation. Driver-assistance systems are efficient and effective without feeling intrusive.
Performance
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson offers three mechanical configurations, starting with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.
Next up is the hybrid, which combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor for a total of 231 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. What makes this setup particularly interesting is that it's paired with a traditional six-speed automatic transmission rather than a CVT, as found in many competitors. Hyundai claims average fuel consumption of 6.7 L/100 km, which is excellent.
Finally, the plug-in hybrid version uses essentially the same powertrain but with a 13.8 kWh battery pack. This allows the Korean automaker's SUV to travel up to 53 kilometers on pure electric power.
Weak Points
Strong Points
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Bold and eye-catching design.
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Modern and very comfortable interior.
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Wide range of powertrain options.
Signature Element
What sets the Hyundai Tucson apart from its rivals is its bold styling, abundance of technology, and the variety of mechanical configurations available.
Final Word
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson makes a strong statement. It's a well-rounded and attractive model for the vast majority of buyers. Affordable and packed with value, its price-to-equipment ratio is simply hard to beat.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
