The Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV which has been completely redesigned for 2021. It now sports a daring new look which, frankly, we love. Although a plug-in hybrid version of the Tucson has been rumored, the 2021 version will remain powered by a more conventional four-cylinder gas engine. When it hits showrooms this fall, the Tucson will find itself going head-to-head with several strong rivals. Can it out-perform (and out-sell) the likes of the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, or the Volkswagen Tiguan? Despite the stiff competition, Hyundai is confident that consumers will respond well to the 2021 Tucson. Here’s a first look at the all-new 2021 Hyundai Tucson.

Exterior Styling

As mentioned, the Tucson is completely redesigned for 2021. It’s incorporates the company’s new design trends with a bold look. The entire vehicle has been smoothed over and looks amazingly aerodynamic. The front grille is larger, as are the wheel wells. The overall effect is a sleek and shiny SUV that’s been designed to turn heads. We think consumers will respond well to the new-look Tucson.

Engine and Performance

Hyundai provides only a pair of engine options for the 2021 Tucson. There’s a 2.0 liter four-cylinder that puts out 161 horsepower on the two cheapest trims. Going upwards in price will get you a 2.4 liter four-cylinder that increases the power slightly, up to 181 hp. And that’s it. No turbocharged or hybrid versions to be found.

While Hyundai has showed a concept version of the upcoming Tucson gas/electric hybrid, it’s obviously not ready. Hopefully it the Tucson hybrid will appear as a full production model a bit later in the product cycle. Early reviews of the 2021 Tucson claim the compact SUV provides a smooth, responsive, and quiet ride.

Trimlines and Prices

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson comes in six different trimlines, with a price difference of almost $10,000 between the base model and the highest end version. All-wheel drive is unfortunately not standard on any model, but is available for extra money.

SE

With a starting price of $23,700, you can get behind the wheel of the base Tucson. It comes with the smaller of the two engines, but not a whole lot else. There’s a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and a couple extra USB charging ports in the front.

One thing the Tucson doesn’t skimp on is safety. You’ll find a long list of standard safety features included on the SE model. You’ll basically get everything but the most advanced autonomous driver assistance technology, which remains reserved for higher trims.

Value

For $25,150, the Tucson Value adds a bit more swag. The most noteworthy additional features are blind-spot monitoring and warning, a push button start, an eight-way power adjustable driver seat, and Hyundai’s Blue Link Connected Car system.

SEL

Going up in price to $26,100 will get you into a sweet spot of value, comfort, and performance. This is the cheapest Tucson sporting the more powerful 2.4 liter engine. It also comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, a chrome tipped exhaust, dual zone climate control, and a rear USB outlet. Other niceties include heated front seats and floor mounted rear AC vents.

Sport

The Sport model upgrades you to 19-inch wheels, LED headlights/taillights/running lights, front fog lights, and a hands-free liftgate. On the inside, there’s an upgraded eight-speaker sound system, wireless charging, and a leather wrapped steering wheel and knob shifter. This version of the Tucson starts at $28,250

Limited

The Tucson Limited adds a bit of luxury for a few Benjamins short of $30,000. There’s an upgrade to leather seating, a heated steering wheel, and a surround view monitor. On the exterior, you’ll be treated to a chrome accent grille. At this trim level, the front passenger also gets a power adjustable seat.

Ultimate

The top-of-the-line Tucson is the Ultimate model, with a pricetag of $32,050. It comes with ventilated front seats and a larger eight-inch touchscreen, with GPS navigation. There is additional safety tech in the form of Pedestrian Detection, High Beam Assist, and Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go abilities. Finally, to make the extra cash seem worth it, the Ultimate trim adds a panoramic sunroof and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

N-Line

Unfortunately, the coveted N-Line version of the Tucson remains only available in Europe. For now, at least. This sportier version boasts an agressive dark grille, black chrome, and slick dark alloy wheels. The real features are under the hood though. The N-Line contains three different engine options, including two diesel hybrid systems. It also features adjustments to the steering and suspension for a more fun driving experience.

It remains unclear whether the N-Line will made an appearance on this side of the Atlantic.

Interior

The Tucson’s interior should match the SUVs daring exterior styling and wheel design. The 2021 model is roughly the same size and shape as the current Tucson, so you can expect passenger and cargo space to be similar. Hyundai’s flagship Palisade SUV and redesigned sedans have served as a watershed moment for the company’s interior designs. The Tucson will includes a host of quality materials and luxury features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and large touchscreen center console.

Technology and Safety Features

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson will have a large rectangular infotainment screen integrated into the dashboard, similar to those found in the Sonata and Elantra sedans. As mentioned, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility will come standard. Other features like satellite radio and GPS navigation will be offered as optional upgrades (or on higher trims).

In terms of safety features, the 2021 Tucson will come standard with plenty of great safety features. Only a few high-tech advanced safety features are locked behind higher trims. No highway safety ratings have been placed on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson yet.

Warranty Coverage

In the compact-SUV market, only one rival offers as much warranty coverage as the Tucson (and that’s the Kia Sportage). This Hyundai still holds an advantage over Kia though, due to its generous three-year, 36,000-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance program. Other warranty features include comprehensive coverage for five years or 60,000 miles. The powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles. Overall, Hyundai provides best-in-class warranty coverage.

Fuel Economy

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hasn’t released fuel-economy estimates for the 2021 Tucson. However, Hyundai’s website does provide their own estimates. The smaller engine (SE and Value models) will get 23 miles per gallon in the city and 28 MPG on the highway in front-wheel drive. Opting for all-wheel drive will knock those numbers down to 22 and 25 MPG, respectively.

The bigger engine doesn’t lose much in terms of efficiency. Hyundai claims you’ll get 22 MPG (city) and 28 MPG (highway) from the FWD versions of the SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate versions. Going AWD on those models drops the Tucson down to 21 MPG (city) and 26 MPG (highway).

The Good

  • Stylish and redesigned exterior.
  • Lots of trimlines to choose from.
  • Best-in-class warranty coverage.

The Not-So-Good

  • No hybrid engine option available at launch. Or N-Line version, for that matter.
  • Technology packages available as expensive upgrades.
  • Cargo space remains a question mark.

The Last Word

The redesigned Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV to get excited about. This vehicle should provide the right combination of style, luxury, and price to attract consumers when it officially goes on sale this fall. With best-in-class warranty coverage and a sleek new exterior, it will be difficult to ignore the all-new Tucson. While the engine and cargo space remain slight question marks, the 2021 Tucson should be a welcome edition to the compact SUV vehicle segment. Be sure to check one out the next time you’re shopping for a new vehicle.

Source: HyundaiUSA.com

Devon is a writer, editor, and veteran of the online publishing world. He has a particular love for classic muscle cars.