The 2017 Hyundai Tucson only lasts around 150,000 miles with serious engine failures and transmission issues. At $15,925 to $18,750, it’s cheaper than other compact SUVs, but not worth it when repairs can cost thousands.
Is the 2017 Hyundai Tucson a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 6/10 – 2017 is a bad year for the Hyundai Tucson since there are a lot of costly problems, giving it a low overall score even with the long 100,000 mile warranty. Owner reviews complain about engine problems, excessive oil consumption, and technology issues.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are very nice for the price, the seats are comfortable on long drives, although cargo space is lower than other small SUVs.
- Reliability 4/10 – There are a lot of expensive engine & transmission problems on the 2017 Hyundai Tucson. Buyers should avoid Tucson models from 2016–2018 which have the same issues while 2019–2022 are more reliable.
- Performance 5/10 – Performance is poor from both of the 4-cylinder engine options which are weaker than the competition.
- Safety 9/10 – The Hyundai Tucson is very safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. Standard safety technology includes a rearview camera & brake assistance. Optional upgrades include lane change assistance, blind spot monitoring, as well as lane departure warning with intervention.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 28 MPG giving 459 miles of range from the 16.4 gallon tank. Gas costs are $28 cheaper than average, at $195 per month.
- Value 6/10 – The Hyundai Tucson is a cheap compact SUV, although expensive ownership costs as they age make them a bad value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Hyundai Tucson?
- Consumer Reports says the Tucson is a basic practical compact SUV, although owner satisfaction scores are very low.
- Edmunds rates the Tucson at 3.7/5, praising the advanced safety features, but doesn’t like the small cargo area.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Tucson a 4.3/5, enjoying the great fuel economy, but owners don’t like the slow engine choices.
What Common Problems Does the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Have?
Common problems found on the 2017 Hyundai Tucson include shifting poorly between gears, hesitation while accelerating, as well as brake light issues. The Hyundai Tucson does offer a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty which covers some problems, although they are still serious. Overall, these problems are worse than other compact SUVs, leading to expensive repair costs as they age.
Shifting poorly between gears is the most widespread complaint from owners at around 45,000 miles. There are some weak components in the transmission which fail as the Hyundai Tucson ages. Rebuilding the transmission costs around $1,500, while a full replacement is $3,000.
Hesitation, while accelerating, is another issue reported by Tucson owners at around 70,000 miles. There are bearing problems in the engine which lead to it running poorly. Eventually, if the bearings wear out all the way, it can lead to total engine failure. There is a recall on the engine for some bearing issues, but it may not cover every problem. Replacing the engine is expensive out of warranty, costing around $6,500.
Brake light issues show up on some Hyundai Tucson models at around 35,000 miles. The brake light housing comes loose, causes the bulbs to short out, eventually melting the bulbs and part of the housing. Replacing the brake light assembly costs around $550.
There are 3 severe recalls on the 2017 Hyundai Tucson which are more serious than other compact SUVs. The recalls cover engine bearings which can cause total failure, as well as the ABS unit which fails and catches on fire. Hyundai will inspect and replace parts on affected models for free.
How Long Will the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Last?
A well-maintained 2017 Hyundai Tucson lasts around 150,000 miles, which is half as long as the top-rated Toyota RAV4. We also recommend avoiding a Hyundai Tucson once it’s out of the 100,000 mile warranty. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other small SUVs, according to data from Repair Pal, at $342 per year, although one serious failure can cost thousands.
As the 2017 Hyundai Tucson reaches around 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace the intake manifold gasket for $550, the brake master cylinder costing $600, as well as the wheel bearings which cost $300.
It is very reliable. I do not have any issues with it. I didn't get all the bells and whistles like I have on the Santa Fe, but that was an economical choice and we are very happy with it.
Yes, the 2017 Hyundai Tucson is a reliable mode of transportation. At this time, no problems have occurred.
Very reliable, have not come across any problems in the past 3 years I have had this car. I drive to and from Chicago and Columbus oh and the car has yet to cause me any trouble. Handles harsh weather well, allows me to feel safe during long trips in the winter.
Has been reliable with no problems. The only annoyance is the tire pressure monitoring system. Goes off when the weather cools but then have to drive it for awhile before it finally resets.
I have had the car for almost a year and have not had any issues yet. I travel a lot for work and is great on long drives.
I have not had any trouble with my 2017 Tucson. I make sure to have regular maintenance appointments, but regardless it has performed impeccably.
It has been reliable up to this point. Other than scheduled maintenance, our only issue has been some uneven tire wear from some too soon alignment issues, and some hesitation due to engine buildup
I think it’s reliable. I've never had any problems with it that were caused internally. It is quick to warm up and cool down during appropriate months.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is good in the 2017 Hyundai Tucson, offering a standard 5-inch touchscreen stereo system while the larger 8-inch touchscreen is available as an upgrade. Safety technology is excellent with a standard rearview camera. Optional upgrades include lane change assistance, blind spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, as well as rear cross traffic alert.
Is the 2017 Hyundai Tucson a Good Value?
No, the 2017 Hyundai Tucson is a bad value since they have a lot of expensive mechanical problems. Blue book prices range from $15,925 to $18,750, making it cheaper than a Honda CR-V or Subaru Crosstrek. When new, the price range was $22,700 to $31,175. Depreciation is worse than other small SUVs, losing about 15% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Hyundai Tucson?
There are six models of the Hyundai Tucson offered in 2017, from the base SE all the way up to the luxurious Limited.
SE is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Upholstery
- Cruise Control
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- 5-Inch Touchscreen
- Satellite Radio
- Rearview Camera
- Six Speaker Sound System
SE Plus is a step up, adding:
- LED Headlights
- Auto Dimming Rearview Mirror
- Leather Seating
- Power Driver’s Seat
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
- 8-Speaker Stereo System
Eco is next in the lineup with:
- Turbocharged 1.6L Engine
- Additional Aerodynamic Panels Underneath
Sport adds features such as:
- 19-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Keyless Entry & Ignition
- Sport Suspension
- Power Liftgate
Night has items including:
- Black Exterior Trim
- Dark Wheels
- Matte Black Sie Sills
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Perforated Leather Upholstery
Limited is the flagship model which has:
- Premium Leather Seats
- Xenon Headlights
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Seats
- Lane Departure Warning
- Automatic Braking
What Engines Come In the Hyundai Tucson?
- The base engine is a fairly weak 2.0L 4-cylinder which makes 164 horsepower while getting up to 26 MPG. It comes with a six-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
- An available upgrade is the more efficient & powerful 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder which produces 175 horsepower at up to 28 MPG. This engine comes with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. Performance is okay, taking 7.9 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Hyundai Tucson Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Hyundai Tucson?
The 2017 Hyundai Tucson is a comfortable compact SUV with seating for up to 5 people. Seating is nice, offering a nice mix of support and cushioning, making it good for longer road trips.
Passenger room is good throughout the front and rear seats, there’s enough space for taller adults in the back seats as well.
How Much Storage Space Does the Hyundai Tucson Have?
Cargo space is lower than other compact SUVs offering enough space for 4-6 suitcases behind the back seats and around 10 with the rear seat folded flat.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The third generation of the Hyundai Tucson came out in 2016, and was replaced by the fourth generation in 2022.
2015: No major changes.
2016: Fully redesigned for the third generation with new engine, and exterior styling.
2017: Interior quality improvements, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available as options.
2018: New SEL & SEL Plus models, new engine in the Sport model, Eco model discontinued.
2019: Minor exterior styling changes, turbocharged 1.6L discontinued, lane keeping assistance & collision avoidance are standard.
2020: No major changes.
2021: No changes since 2019.
2022: Fully redesigned for the fourth generation with new engines & technology.
How Does the Hyundai Tucson Compare to the Competition?
The 2017 Hyundai Tucson is awful compared to other compact SUVs on the market since they have a lot of mechanical problems. Avoid buying one outside the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is another small SUV offered by Hyundai which costs $500 more. Passenger room is a bit better in the Hyundai Santa Fe, while the Hyundai Tucson is more nimble and responsive to drive. We recommend avoiding both models for 2017 since they have the same mechanical problems.
The Mazda CX-5 is a competitor which costs around $1,000 more. Performance is much better in the CX-5, while the Hyundai Tucson has a slightly nicer interior for the money. We recommend the Mazda CX-5 since there are significantly fewer serious problems reported by owners.
Do Owners Recommend the Hyundai Tucson?
Yes. It is very reliable. I love the all wheel drive in the winter months. It runs smoothly and stores a lot for being a small SUV. I feel it does well on the bad Pennsylvania roads during all the seasons.
Yes, the 2017 Hyundai Tucson eco is a great vehicle for families with a budget. Lots of room and great cargo space.
Yes, I feel safe yet stylish. Technology within the car is easy to use, for example how CarPlay connects your phone and is able to read text messages and play music upon command. Heating and cooling works without any problems. Exterior on the inside and outside gives the car a sleek, elegant look without costing an arm and a leg. Feel safe while operating the vehicle, easy switch to turn sport/turbo mode on and off. Handles snow and harsh conditions well. Overall one of my favorite cars I have driven.
It is ok. Does not get good mileage. Have not had any issues with it mechanically. Is easy to drive. Do not use all the available electronics. Love the backup camera and lane warning.
It is fantastic, reliable. It is everything I need it to be. Very comfortable, has enough space for all my work needs.
Absolutely. If I had to choose a vehicle, I would still choose my 2017 Hyundai Tucson. It is reliable and stylish.
Yes, absolutely. The price was reasonable, it is stylish, and it has been reliable thus far. It is enough that I would recommend to anyone who asked .
Yes. It’s a small SUV, not necessarily great for a growing family. I like that it has a sporty feel.