Hyundai Tucson

The redesigned-for-2016 Tucson shares only its name with the previous generation. Now it's more inline with the larger Santa Fe Sport and Santa Fe SUVs. The overall package is more competitive against the segment leaders. The base version has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, linked to a six-speed automatic. This version is rather slow and returned 24 mpg overall. More expensive trims get a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder that uses a seven-speed automated manual transmission. This quieter and quicker setup returned 26 mpg overall, but it suffers from a vibration at very low speed, such as in parking maneuvers. Otherwise, ride comfort is pliant and composed, handling is responsive and secure, and the cabin is quiet. Controls are easy to use, and the rear seat is roomy. The Tucson has available lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision avoidance with automatic braking. A new 181-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic arrived in 2018.

A decided improvement over its predecessor, the Tucson's 2010 to 2015 version was practical. However it was an also-ran in the crowded small SUV space. The only engine was a 2.4-liter four cylinder, which supplied decent acceleration, but tended to be noisy and unpleasant when pushed. It got 22 mpg overall. Handling was secure and responsive, but the ride was stiff and road noise pronounced. Cabin furnishings are quite basic with hard plastics, but controls are easy to use. This generation's styling also compromised cargo space and severely hampered outward visibility. While this generation did better in crash tests than pre-2010 models, it did poorly in the IIHS narrow offset crash test.

This version of the Tucson doesn't have much going for it. Crash protection wasn't up to snuff; the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is not very zippy and is rather noisy. The optional 2.7-liter V6 delivers decent acceleration, but fuel economy is unimpressive. Handling is clumsy, but secure thanks to the standard stability control. The ride is fairly comfortable, but marred by suspension noise. Basically, skip this generation, look to the next one for a better execution all around.