2017 Hyundai Tucson Review

The Hyundai Tucson was all-new for 2016, with updated styling, more interior room, and new powertrains, so there aren’t any big changes for 2017. Instead, the popular and affordable crossover gets minor improvements to make it even more appealing.

There are four different trim levels with two different powertrains, starting with the base Tucson SE and its 2.0-liter direct-injected 4-cylinder engine. It has an estimated 164 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It’s quite a fuel miser, too, with an EPA-estimated 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway in front-wheel-drive (FWD) trims. The Eco, Sport, and Limited trims all get a 1.6-liter turbocharged direct-injected 4-cylinder engine with an estimated 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. They come paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and are designed to provide a more responsive ride.

The turbocharged engines also give better fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 26/32 for the Eco and 25/30 for the Limited and Sport in FWD configurations. All-wheel drive continues to be optional at every trim level, so even the base SE, which starts at $22,700, can come equipped with AWD for a still-modest price of $24,100.

Pricing is something Hyundai always does well, and the 2017 Tucson is no exception. It has the style, comfort, and features of competitors but at a more affordable price. Even the most fully featured Limited with AWD comes in at a manageable $31,175.

Cosmetic changes this year include new door panels and premium materials that are now available on the Sport trim. Hyundai also now offers its Yes Essentials stain-resistant fabric in an expanded range of colors, so you won’t have to worry so much about what the kids will do to those seats. Features like a wrapped instrument panel, a soft-touch pad by the driver’s right knee, and soft-touch materials throughout create an upscale vibe. There’s also an available panoramic sunroof to open things up and provide plenty of light, making the Tucson feel even larger.

New this year are Android Auto and Apply CarPlay on the Limited trim only and an available 315-watt Infinity premium audio system. This features Clari-Fi music restoration technology for a richer sound experience. The standard audio system includes steering-wheel-mounted controls, AM/FM/SiriusXM/CD/MP3, and 6 speakers. The infotainment system has a 5-inch color touchscreen, or you can upgrade to include navigation on select trims and take advantage of a larger 8-inch touchscreen. There’s also Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and USB and auxiliary input jacks.

There's room inside the Tucson for up to 5 passengers, along with 31.0 cubic feet of cargo space. The rear seats split-fold 60/40 to provide a total of 61.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity. If that’s not enough, hook up a trailer and tow up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped.

Ample safety features are included even on the base SE. A rear-view camera, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, electronic stability control, and antilock brakes are standard on every Tucson. Blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, lane-departure warning, rear parking sensors, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection are available on higher trim levels as well.

Hyundai Blue Link connected car services is also available, with features including remote start with climate control, remote stop, remote door unlock, car finder, and stolen vehicle recovery. The truly tech-savvy will love that they can control many of these features via Android Wear and Apple Watch offerings. Tucsons equipped with Blue Link get one year of complimentary Connected Care. This provides additional safety and security through a range of features such as automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, enhanced roadside assistance, and monthly vehicle reports, so you can be sure your car is ready for that next road trip.

The 2017 Hyundai Tucson continues to be a great value. New features, better connectivity, and that affordable price tag make it a crossover families will find appealing.