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2025 Buick Enclave vs Honda Pilot2019 Hyundai Tucson Review
The 2019 Hyundai Tucson isn't spectacular at anything, but it's above average at most things. Is that enough to get you in for a test drive?
2019 Hyundai Tucson – hyundainews.com | Shop 2019 Hyundai Tucson on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2019 Hyundai Tucson?
The 2019 Hyundai Tucson gets a facelift, some interior updates, and a new, coveted, Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. In the sea of 105-inch wheelbase compact SUVs, is this enough to move you into the driver’s seat? We check out the 2019 Hyundai Tucson.
The Breakdown
We like the new exterior updates
We like the interior design
We like the miles quiet ride
We don’t like the small cargo area
We don’t like the 2.0-liter engine
2019 Tucson Specs
- 161 horsepower from base engine
- 150 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 31 cu-ft. of cargo capacity
- 61.9 cu-ft. of cargo capacity with seats down
- Towing capacity of 2,000 lbs
- 0-60 mph in 9.6 seconds
- 2.0-liter 4-cylinder
2019 Hyundai Tucson Powertrain
Although no one will shout sounds of joy over the base model’s standard 2.0-liter engine, it does its job well. For a little more power, where your focus should be is the 2.4-liter engine and six-speed gearbox combo that’s optional in the Value trim but standard on the $25,000 SEL and up.
The 2.4, with 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, won’t make you tingle when accelerating, but it does okay. Should you want to do a 0-60 run while entering the freeway, the Hyundai would make that trip in 9 seconds. Compared to competitors, it’s very much in the acceptable range for acceleration.
Once moving, it does well on freeway passing, with the extra horsepower at your beck and call. We appreciated the subdued noise level when accelerating, which fits the non-rushed way the 2019 Tucson drives. It has an overall chill-like Zen thing about the way it drives. You don’t really feel the need to hurry down the road.
That feeling also fits the handling of the Tucson we were driving. Hyundai has done an excellent job providing predictable handling and ride manners. It’s reasonably flat in cornering and has a tight feel when responding to road imperfections – which we like. Everything is in control, with no wallowing around on the highway like we recently experienced while testing a Subaru Forester. The Tucson has you comfortably coddled in every situation.
Towing & Payload
The base Value edition 2019 Hyundai Tucson can tow up to 1,500 lbs, and the 2.4-liter will pull 2,000. So, should you want to take a pop-up camping trailer on the weekend in the mountains, with the SEL or higher trim, you’ll be fine.
2019 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Economy and MPG
The EPA estimates that the 2019 Hyundai Tucson will give you 22 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and a combined mpg of 25. Your mileage may vary, of course. The $1400 all-wheel-drive option will net you 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with a combined 23mpg.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Hyundai gave you that nice-looking waterfall grille on the 2019 facelift and a tidier rear fascia, but the inside is where you’ll see and enjoy the 2019 updates.
We felt that the previous Tucson’s haphazardly designed interior looked a little too much like a base-level rental car. For sure, they were very reliable rental cars, but you get the picture. With the 2019 Tucson, it looks like Hyundai spent time reviewing competitors and talking with focus groups to produce a very user-friendly and modern interior.
If you’ve been in a 2018 model, you’ll immediately notice the redesigned dash. The dash embedded touchscreen was tossed for a better version on top of the dash where it’s easier to see. The screen placement matches what Toyota has done with its RAV4 dash design and makes for an overall better user experience. The reach distance is perfect, and there are knobs and buttons for often used functions.
Our model came with the larger eight-inch touchscreen and 4.2-inch driver information cluster. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto hooked up quickly, and the overall infotainment system was easy to understand and use.
We loved the two-tone beige and black leather interior, which helped give the Tucson a luxury feel. It’s up to you if you like the two-tone trim, but we can say it helped the interior seem less dark. Hyundai’s family-friendly cloth interiors on the lower trims also come in gray or beige.
The seats were comfortable in the front and rear, but if you’re an adult, you’ll want more space in the back seat. Also, one note is that the back seat seemed low in relation to the window, so your children may complain a bit about not seeing out when riding back there. They won’t be small forever but take them on your test drive to get their opinions.
The smaller space is also felt in the cargo area. Although the Hyundai rides on the same wheelbase as the RAV4, its body isn’t as long. So, you’ll only have 31 cu. ft. instead of the 37.6 in the RAV4. With the seats down, you have 61.9 instead of the almost 70 cu. ft in the RAV4. We would forgive this lack of space if Hyundai gave the Tucson the innovative in-floor storage places you’ll find in the Nissan Rogue. Thankfully, the floor is flat with all the seats down, so it’s still easily useable.
Entertainment & Technology
Hyundai gives you a seven or 8-in touchscreen and includes knobs for volume and other navigation functions. Unlike some manufacturers, Hyundai has been sensitive enough to provide buttons and knobs because touchscreens aren’t always the fastest way to select things.
The Infinity sound system on our model wasn’t the best premium system we’ve heard, but it’s good to remember you won’t be watching the latest UHD Dolby Digital movies with it. But it’s decent with the right tunes, and the family won’t complain. From the SEL trim and up, you get extra USB ports in for the rear passengers, and a wireless charging system comes standard with the Sport trim and higher.
Hyundai has had connected car services for a while, and their Blue Link system has only become more accessible through the app and faster to use over the years. It’s offered free for the first three years of your Tucson ownership, and it gives you the ability to do remote functions, locate and recover a stolen vehicle, and many other options through your phone. You may or may not ever use all that’s available, but these services are nice to have.
Safety Features
Hyundai is doing better than most by providing standard driver-assist safety features in every model. As you move up the trim ladder, added features include an adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go capability, driver attention warning, and lane-keep assist. You never want to crash your car, but you can be comforted that the IIHS gave the 2019 Tucson “Top Safety Pick” rating, and the NHTSA gave its highest-possible 5-star overall rating.
2019 Hyundai Tucson Trims & Pricing
SE -$23,200
The SE trim includes gives you family-friendly and easily cleaned YES Essentials cloth upholstery and a 7.0-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You’ll also have active safety features like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, driver attention warning, and lane departure assists.
VALUE -$24,650
The 2019 Hyundai Value trim gives you convenience features of a proximity key, pushbutton start, and Hyundai’s Blue Link’ connected car system with three years of free service. For additional safety, you get blind-spot detection with a rear cross-traffic alert.
SEL -$25,600
The 2019 Tucson SEL comes with a more powerful 2.4-liter engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate controls, second-row USB port, and rear air vents.
SPORT-$27,700
The Hyundai Sport upgrades to a set of 19-inch wheels that give the Sport a more aggressive look. The standard headlights are replaced with upgraded LED headlights and taillights. When shopping, you’ll have the convenience of a hands-free smart liftgate for ease of loading cargo. Hyundai also gives a wireless charging system and Infinity sound system.
LIMITED -$28,900
The 2019 Limited builds off the Sport by trading the 19-inch wheels for 18-inch versions and a leather interior. It’s a good swap because you also get the surround-view camera and a more luxurious feel overall.
ULTIMATE-$31,550
Of course, the 2019 Hyundai Tucson Ultimate trim is fully loaded. The touchscreen is upgraded to an 8-inch size and includes Navigation. Leather seats are ventilated in front, and the rear seats are heated. Everyone will enjoy the panoramic sunroof, although it adds a little bit of noise to the interior. Hyundai also includes its full safety suite, including auto-dimming headlights and a semi-autonomous Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go capabilities.
Warranties
The 2019 Hyundai Tucson offers the now famous 5 yr/60,000 mi basic and 10 yr/100,000 mi powertrain warranty.
What we think
2019 Hyundai Tucson – hyundainews.com | Shop 2019 Hyundai Tucson on Carsforsale.com
The 2019 Hyundai Tucson will not bring out the passion inside you immediately, but its owner experience will keep you very comfortable. From its ability to help ease your daily drive to its confidence-inspiring reliable ownership, the Tucson will end up making you love it because it’s normal and it’s good.
