Ultimate 4dr All-Wheel Drive
2021 Hyundai Tucson

There's an all-new Tucson coming for 2022, but this is not about that bold, sharply creased crossover. Nope, this covers the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, which carries over unchanged into the last year of a six-year generation. As always, it's a well-executed if forgettable compact crossover that delivers strong value. You get lots of equipment for your money, a lengthy warranty and easy-to-use technology. Its interior design has also aged quite well despite imminently facing the sunset. There are issues, however, that go beyond the simple fact that a multitude of newer, more impressive competitors have debuted in the past six years. It's an unusual size, for one. It's either one of the smallest compact crossovers (Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, etc.), or the biggest among a growing number of "in-betweener" choices (Mazda CX-30, Kia Seltos, etc.). Perhaps that's not such a bad thing, but its fuel economy is indisputably an issue as its 23 mpg combined with all-wheel drive falls between 3 and 6 mpg below crossovers in either of the above size categories. There's also the matter of the Tucson being comparatively mundane to drive. In other words, we'd wait to see what next year brings (or just get something else). What's new for 2021? The Tucson gets some new colors for '21. What's the Tucson interior and in-car technology like? The interior's design and layout are attractive and functional, though there's little to differentiate the uppermost "Ultimate" trim level from the others. Though similar in appearance to the bigger, pricier Santa Fe, there are more poor-quality plastics littered about. At least Hyundai makes sure that the pieces you most frequently touch are nicely textured and/or soft. As all modern Hyundai infotainment systems go, this one is easy to use and relatively simple, but it isn’t the prettiest to look at. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on the cheapest of Tucsons, because Hyundai makes its 7-inch touchscreen standard equipment. An 8-inch screen with navigation and upgraded audio system is added to the Limited and Ultimate trims. How big is the Tucson? Slices of the crossover pie are getting awfully skinny. The Tucson has always been one of the smallest "compact" crossovers, with a shorter overall length (176.4 inches) and significantly less cargo space (31.0 cubic feet behind the back seat) than popular models like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester. Rear seat legroom is competitive with those, however. This meant it was a good match for those without kids who will happily sacrifice some family-friendly, stuff-hauling space for greater maneuverability. Today, however, there's a growing number of "in-betweener" choices that are just a bit smaller, including the Mazda CX-30 and Kia Seltos. We're honestly not sure if the Tucson's size makes it an oddball or a Goldilocks choice for a select few. Do you really spell Tucson like that? Yes, take it up with Arizona. What are the performance and fuel economy? The Tucson SE and Value trim levels are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder …
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