Name: Hyundai Tucson (2021 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Hyundai Tucson
Rating: 73.0

Summary

The Hyundai Tucson is a medium-sized SUV/crossover and one of the brand’s longest-serving nameplates – the first generation arrived back in 2004, with the all-new fourth-generation model launched in late 2020.

The Tuscon is available in petrol, mild-hybrid and regular hybrid variants, while a new plug-in hybrid joined the range in early 2021. The Tucson range was facelifted in Spring/Summer 2024.

Reviews for the Tucson have been universally positive to date, with Auto Express dubbing the latest version: “… the model that realises the company’s ambition of not being a value-led budget brand but a proper mainstream player like VW.”

The aerodynamic and distinctive styling has come in for praise, as has the interior quality, which has been described as a major step up over previous Hyundais. Space is also improved, including a boot that’s much bigger than the one found in the rival Toyota RAV4.

The Tuscon comes with a high level of standard equipment, with even entry-level models including reversing cameras and large digital touchscreen displays, as well as extensive accident avoidance technology. It has a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

Out on the road, the Hyundai earns praise for its smooth powertrains and its fuel economy figures, even when not aided by hybrid technology.

Such advances do mean that starting prices are higher than with previous versions, but reviewers conclude that the Tucson will appeal to buyers who have never previously considered a Hyundai.

As of September 2025, the Hyundai Tucson holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 73%. It scores top marks for its low CO₂ emissions and Hyundai’s generous new-car warranty, while its safety rating, running costs and media review scores are also good. The Tucson’s reliability record is only average, however, although this does include previous models.

Tucson highlights

Striking design stands out from the pack
Interior quality much improved over previous model
Plenty of boot space
Good level of standard safety tech

Tucson lowlights

Prices are higher than previous model
Driving experience is pretty bland
Touchscreen can be sluggish to operate

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £33,080 on-road

Launched: Winter 2020/21
Last updated: Spring 2024
Next update due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The Hyundai Tucson merges futuristic design with a range of accessible engine options and heaps of practicality as a safe family SUV.”

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

The Car Expert

“The Hyundai Tucson ticks all of the family car boxes, with practicality and a good interior its strongest points. It doesn’t do enough to stand out, though.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 7 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

Tom Wiltshire

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Hyundai Tucson combines refinement, space, style and hybrid technology to create a mid-size SUV that’s proving hard to beat.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
Read review

Score: 9 / 10
“The Hyundai Tucson is impressive – solid dynamically, properly practical, usefully efficient in hybrid form, and with a well-finished cabin that oozes tech in all the right places.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid Ultimate
Score: 9 / 10
“This is another example of Hyundai moving from mid-table mediocrity to real championship challenger. It looks great, it drives brilliantly, is well made and is loaded with kit. We hope monthly costs won’t rise too much, which will be a treat given how much more this Tucson gives you.”
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Hyundai Tucson combines practicality with a new-found sense of style and quality.”
Read review

Business Car

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid Ultimate
Score: 9 / 10
“You do get a lot for your money in the Hyundai Tucson and it’s easy to imagine drivers who may never have considered a Hyundai in the past being won over.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: hybrid and MHEV
Score: 6 / 10
“The new Hyundai Tucson has impact like never before. It covers off the emotional with its design, the rational with its practicality, the advanced with its technology, and the zeitgeist with its focus on electrification.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“This generation Hyundai Tucson has impact like never before. It covers off the emotional with its design, the rational with its practicality, the advanced with its technology, and the zeitgeist with its focus on electrification. Hyundai, we salute your ambition.”
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“Given the Hyundai Tucson has already proven a huge sales hit, it’s clear this new plug-in hybrid is only going to elevate its appeal further. Though not cheap, and certain elements aren’t quite as polished as you might hope, it’s still a great all-rounder that will slot easily into day-to-day family life.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Hyundai has moved the game on significantly with this new Tucson. Whereas the last model was bland to look at, this new car is as stylish as they come in this class, offering something genuinely different to the rest. With a roomy, generous-equipped interior, it’s still an impressive family SUV too.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The latest Hyundai Tucson surprises with adventurous styling and luxury.” (Ben Custard)
Read review

Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol 230HP Hybrid SE Connect
“Another impressive move by Hyundai, bringing head-turning styling, particularly at the front end, as well as efficiency and quality.”
Read review

Eurekar

Model reviewed:
“Sharp styling, plenty of technology and a wide range of engine choices set Hyundai Tucson apart in the burgeoning sports utility vehicle world.”
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Cool and sophisticated family SUV”
Read review

Parkers

Score: 8 / 10
“Daring style and an interesting line-up bode well for the new Hyundai Tucson.”
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol automatic Ultimate
Score: 8 / 10
“The Hyundai Tucson is an appealing blend; stress-free to use and own and, for the most part, relaxing to drive. That it also looks like it’s just plopped out of a wormhole in front of the USS Enterprise is merely an added bonus.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“The Hyundai Tucson is now up with the best in the non-premium segment. The facia layout works pretty well, and it’s mostly a comfortable and spacious family hauler. Dynamically, the starter models are wanting, however.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Love the way it looks? The Hyundai Tucson doesn’t put a foot wrong beneath them, driving eloquently and brimming with well-implemented tech.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol (mild hybrid) automatic Ultimate
“If the styling of the Hyundai Tucson tickles your fancy, it’d be an easy thing to own.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 86%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 66%
Safety assist: 70%

The Tucson boasts an impressive level of safety kit as standard, with multiple active systems including lane-keeping assist and autonomous braking. Additional safety systems including upgraded collision avoidance, rear- and blind-spot alerts come with the mid-range spec that costs £1,500 more than the entry-level version.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: HEV 1.6-litre T-GDI Hybrid FWD automatic

Overall score: 2 stars
Date tested: October 2022
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 4.2 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 4.5 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 3.1 / 10

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	42 mpg	C
Hybrid models	47 mpg	C
Plug-in hybrid models	202 mpg	A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	152 g/km	C
Hybrid models	137 g/km	C
Plug-in hybrid models	26 g/km	A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	44 miles	D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	20	B

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£250	C
Year 2	£608	C
Year 3	£988	C
Year 4	£1,200	C
Year 5	£1,545	C
Overall	£4,591	C

There are some mixed results for the Hyundai Tucson when it comes to running costs, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel consumption is relatively poor for the petrol models, and only average for the hybrid models. Although the plug-in hybrid looks good on paper, this is because the EU/UK government lab tests are absolutely pointless for properly assessing plug-in hybrids (good luck driving for 202 miles on one gallon of petrol and about 38 miles’ worth of electricity!).

The good news is that insurance premiums should be very good, as the Tucson is rated in low groups by Thatcham, while servicing costs are better than average for the first five years.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 82
Average repair cost: £649.12
Last updated: April 2025

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Hyundai Tucson has an average reliability score, according to warranty data provided by our partners MotorEasy. This data relates to both this current Tucson model, and older (pre-2020) versions.

The most common claims made by Tucson owners are for braking system repairs, which have an average repair bill of less than £300. Gearbox and engine repairs are more expensive, although they appear to be fairly uncommon to date.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Hyundai Tucson

Overall ratingA88%
Petrol or diesel modelsB72%
Electric or hybrid modelsA96%
New car warranty duration5 years
New car warranty mileageUnlimited miles
Battery warranty duration8 years
Battery warranty mileage100,000 miles

Hyundai’s new car warranty is one of the best in the new car market, and better than most rival brands in a similar price bracket to the Tucson.

The duration is five years, with no limit on mileage. This is good news for both new and used car buyers, as it helps the residual value of the Sportage for new car buyers when they come to sell the car, and it gives near-new car buyers confidence that they are covered for years to come.

In addition to the overall new car warranty, battery components on the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models benefit from an additional eight-year/100,000-mile warranty, which is why they get a better score than the standard petrol and diesel models.

Warranty on a used Hyundai Tucson

If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Tucson from an official Hyundai dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
If you are buying a used Tucson from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used Tucson from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.

If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Hyundai Tucson

2024

2023

2021

Date: March 2024
Recall number: R/2024/036
Model types: Tucson NX4e
Build dates: 10/2020 to 04/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 1,781
Defect: The side curtain airbag could potentially be assembled in a twisted condition.
Remedy: Affected vehicles will be inspected to ascertain if the airbag is correctly installed. If the airbag is twisted it will be removed and reinstalled correctly.

Date: August 2023
Recall number: R/2023/184
Model types: Tucson NX4e
Build dates: 03/2023 to 04/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 2,746
Defect: Certain vehicles equipped with rear door power windows may experience a malfunction of the anti-pinch function during its operation.
Remedy: Both left-hand and right-hand rear door power window regulator motors will be replaced.

Date: March 2023
Recall number: R/2023/039
Model types: Tucson NX4e
Build dates: 02/2021 to 10/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 4,023
Defect: The vehicle immobiliser may not function correctly due to incorrect vehicle software.
Remedy: Apply a software update to the Hybrid Control Unit to correct the immobiliser operation.

Date: December 2021
Recall number: R/2021/414
Model types: Tucson NX4e hybrid and plug-in hybrid
Build dates: 10/2021 to 12/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 1,706
Defect: A manufacturing defect may be present within the right-hand rear brake calliper, which may result in impaired brake performance.
Remedy: If the right-hand rear brake calliper is confirmed to be fitted with the affected batch code (1J24), it will be replaced.

Date: September 2021
Recall number: R/2021/295
Model types: Tucson NX4e hybrid and plug-in hybrid
Build dates: 10/2020 to 07/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 3,587
Defect: Vehicles equipped with smart key system may have an immobiliser malfunction.
Remedy: Apply update to the hybrid control unit to correct the immobiliser operation.

Date: July 2021
Recall number: R/2021/220
Model types: All Tucson models
Build dates: 10/2020 to 04/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 46
Defect: The side curtain airbag could potentially be assembled in a twisted condition.
Remedy: Affected vehicles will be inspected to ascertain if the airbag is correctly installed. If the airbag is twisted it will be removed and reinstalled correctly.

Date: February 2021
Recall number: R/2021/014
Model types: All Tucson models
Build dates: 09/2020 to 11/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 1,879
Defect: The vehicle VIN information may not be registered correctly within the eCall unit.
Remedy: Register the VIN information within the vehicle by resetting the eCall unit and updating.

As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been seven DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Hyundai Tucson to address different issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Hyundai dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Tucson, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.