2019 Hyundai Tucson Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV that can seat up to five people. It comes in a four-door configuration with a rear hatch. The Tucson offers plenty of space for groceries and other types of cargo. It's one of the safest SUVs on the road. Hyundai has crammed a ton of standard safety features into the Tucson. This vehicle also boasts excellent crash-test scores. If you're looking for a small SUV or crossover, the Tucson offers great value for your hard-earned money.

What's New For 2019?

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson now offers more power than in previous years. Hyundai has discontinued the 1.6-liter turbo engine from 2018. It also has a lot of new, driver-assist features. Some cosmetic changes have been implemented such as a new grill and headlights. The fog lights and rear taillights have also received a makeover. This 2019 model represents the third generation of the Tuscan that began in 2016.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Hyundai Tucson – The Pros

1. Lots of Cargo Space

One of the main reasons to purchase a crossover or small SUV is for the storage space. The 2019 Hyundai Tucson gives you plenty but in a smaller package than a full-size SUV. With the seats in their standard position, you get 31 sq. ft. of cargo space. With the rear seats placed down, you get an impressive 61.9 sq. ft. Hyundai has also filled all areas of the interior with small-item storage spaces.

2. A Spacious Interior

The interior of the Hyundai Tucson isn't just for cargo space. There's plenty of room for five passengers in this small SUV. Most average-sized adults should be quite comfortable in the Tucson. Not only is there a lot of space, but the seats are supportive and comfortable too. The extra seating is yet another reason why to select a small SUV over a regular car.

3. Top Safety Scores

With a carload of passengers and cargo, you'll want everyone to stay safe. The 2019 Hyundai Tucson does excellent when it comes to safety scores. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration rates the Tuscon five out of five stars in almost every category they test for. It rates a four out of five in rollover tests. These scores are among the best of any vehicle in this class.

4. High-Tech Standard Safety Features

The top safety scores of the Tuscon are largely due to the construction of the vehicle. Hyundai goes one step further by also throwing in a ton of high-tech, safety features. Best of all, most of these features come standard on all models of this vehicle. A rear-view camera helps you to see what's behind you. Blind-spot monitors make sure you have a good view in all directions. A lane-assist system makes sure you don't accidentally veer out of your lane during long commutes. An automatic-braking system scans the road ahead of you and applies the brakes in an emergency situation. These are just a few of the many safety features available.

5. Great Performance From 2.4 Liter Engine

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson comes equipped with one of two different engines. The base engine is a 2.0 liter, 4-cylinder. It will be worth it to upgrade to the 2.4 liter, I-4 for drivers who prioritize performance. This engine provides plenty of power and good acceleration, even with a carload of goods and passengers. The 2.4 liter provides 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque.

6. Excellent Steering and Handling

The Hyundai Tucson is a fun car to drive for a small SUV. Steering is responsive and accurate. Braking is solid and firm, but doesn't feel too hard. A small turning radius makes it easy to maneuver the Tucson. It handles tight corners surprisingly well. It's no sports car, but the Tucson does better than average in this category when compared to other SUVs in its class.

7. Sharp Exterior Styling

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson has an attractive exterior. The newly redesigned grill, headlights and taillights have improved its looks considerably. New wheels for 2019 further contribute to the sharp overall look. The lines are not too aggressive or too passive. It looks rugged and sporty, but also classy and elegant. The Tucson comes in a wide array of colors too. It's sure to turn some heads no matter where you go.

8. Comfortable Ride Quality

The comfortable ride quality of the Tucson really sets it apart from the competition. The suspension system does a fantastic job, even over rough terrain and bumpy roads. The front seats are very supportive. Touch points for your knees and elbows have extra padding throughout the interior. The Tucson is super quiet inside of the vehicle too. You won't hear the engine or any road noise during your commutes. Overall ride quality in the Tucson is way above average for vehicles in this class.

9. An Excellent Infotainment System

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson gives you excellent infotainment and sound systems. A 7-inch touchscreen comes standard. The screen has clear graphics and a bright display. You can connect most smart devices or phones to access your favorite apps through the system. There's a built-in navigator to make sure you always find your destination. Hyundai now has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity too. Sound quality from the speaker system is simply fantastic.

10. Great Value Purchase

The Hyundai Tucson offers a lot of standard features for a low price. The number of standard features is more akin to what you would find on higher trim levels with the competition. The base price of the Tuscon falls towards the low end of the spectrum too. This makes the Tucson a great value for your money.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Hyundai Tucson – The Cons

1. A Slow Base Engine

The base engine for the Hyundai Tucson is not bad by any means. It's just a bit sluggish from the get go. Acceleration is slow and not nearly as good as the upgraded 2.4 liter engine. If performance matters to you, then stick with the upgraded engine. If not, then you may be fine with the base engine which does come at a lower price.

2. The Fuel Economy Could be Better

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson gets around 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. This isn't terrible when it comes to fuel-economy ratings. It's just not as good as many of the Tucson's competitors. If you're worried about the cost of keeping the tank full, then this may be a concern for you.

3. Poor Rear Visibility

This is a problem with many SUVs and crossover vehicles. Unfortunately, it's also present here on the Hyundai Tucson. Rear visibility is just not good. This is somewhat offset by the rear camera and various sensors and safety-warning systems in the vehicle.

How the 2019 Hyundai Tucson Stacks up to the Competition

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson is in a very crowded field of vehicles. Small SUVs and crossovers have become the most popular vehicle type in the United States. Three of the top competitors to the Tuscon are the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and the Kia Sportage.

The Toyota Rav4 is a popular vehicle for good reason. It beats out the Hyundai Tucson when it comes to performance, though not by too much. It also offers a powerful hybrid model. It's rather loud inside of the Rav4, while a lack of road noise is one of the things the Tucson excels at. The Tucson offers a better price and more features on the standard base model.

Honda's CR-V offers high quality and good performance. It's a bit of a gas guzzler though. The Tucson is far from good when it comes to fuel economy, but it still beats out the Honda in this category. The Honda boasts a few more horses under the hood but overall, the performance of both vehicles is about the same. The Tucson wins out again when it comes to the price.

The Kia Sportage is an interesting alternative to the Hyundai Tucson. They both have very similar engine specs, performance stats and fuel-economy ratings. They're also both very competitively priced. The Hyundai edges out the Kia when it comes to interior comfort and ride quality.

In Conclusion

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson is simply one of the best options for anyone who wants a small SUV. It gives you all of the things you could want out of a small SUV. You get the spacious interior, passenger seats and large cargo area. You also get a staggering amount of standard luxury and high-tech features in the base model. The Tucson is a very affordable vehicle and presents good value for your money. The sharp looks and comfortable ride quality make it an all-around winner.