The 2018 Hyundai Tucson only lasts around 150,000 miles with some serious engine and transmission issues reported. At $16,300 to $20,075, it’s cheap, but still not worth the money since there are a lot of expensive problems as it ages.
Is the 2018 Hyundai Tucson a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – 2018 is a bad year for the Hyundai Tucson since there are still some engine problems, giving it a low overall score. Owner reviews complain about steering issues, expensive repair bills, as well as limited rear legroom.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are upscale for a small SUV, the seats are supportive on longer trips, cargo space is a bit lower than the competition.
- Reliability 6/10 – There are still some engine problems on the 2018 Tucson, however, they’re not as widespread as in earlier years. Avoid models from 2016–2018, while 2019–2022 are much more reliable.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from all of the four-cylinder engines, although none are particularly fast.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2018 Tucson is a safe SUV, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera. Brake assist, lane keep assist, as well as blind spot monitoring are all optional.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 26 MPG, giving 426 miles of range from the 16.4 gallon tank. Gas costs are $30 cheaper than average, at $154 per month.
- Value 6/10 – The 2018 Hyundai Tucson is cheaper than other SUVs, yet expensive mechanical issues make it a bad long-term value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Hyundai Tucson?
- Consumer Reports says the 2018 Hyundai Tucson is a well-rounded small SUV, although owner satisfaction scores are lower than average.
- Edmunds rates the Tucson at 4/5, praising the peppy turbocharged engine, but doesn’t like the lower cargo space.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Hyundai Tucson a 4.3/5, enjoying the standard safety technology, but owners don’t like the smaller rear legroom.
What Common Problems Does the 2018 Hyundai Tucson Have?
Common problems found on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson include engine failures, transmission issues, as well as the vehicle shutting down while driving. Overall, these problems are much worse than other compact crossover SUV choices from the same year, leading to expensive repairs once the Tucson is out of the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty.
Engine failures are the most serious complaint from 2018 Tucson owners, showing up at around 70,000 miles. There are engine oil delivery issues which lead to damage to the pistons, rods, and valvetrain. Replacing the engine is the only way to solve a complete engine failure, costing over $7,000 if the SUV is out of warranty.
Transmission issues, leading to a failure to accelerate have also shown up on some 2018 Tucson models at roughly 15,000 miles. There are some software updates available which can solve some of the transmission issues. Some owners have also had to have the entire torque converter replaced, which is around $4,000.
Shutting down while driving is another issue mentioned by Hyundai Tucson owners in the first 20,000 miles. There are loose battery grounds which can cause the vehicle to lose power, and shut down. Replacing the ground costs around $300, but there are also other mechanical issues which can cause the Tucson to shut off.
There’s only one recall on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, although it’s very serious. The recall covers the ABS control unit, which may cause an engine compartment fire while the vehicle is parked. Hyundai will replace the entire hydraulic electronic control unit for free on the affected models.
How Long Will the 2018 Hyundai Tucson Last?
A well-maintained 2018 Hyundai Tucson can last around 150,000 miles before it becomes too expensive to maintain, which is over 100,000 miles less than the long-lasting Toyota RAV4. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other compact SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $329 per year.
As a used 2018 Hyundai Tucson reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the alternator for $650, the HVAC air door actuator costing $550, as well as the EGR valve which costs $500.
Very reliable, no recalls and easily maintainable. It runs smoothly and comes with decent tires as well as all wheel drive and the ability to lock up the axles when needed!
It is reliable so far. I am just concerned about the transmission. I have the dual clutch transmission and it is extremely jerky and stalls often.
Yes. I have had no major problems since purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle come with the coupon booklet from the dealership that gives you free oil changes and discounts on most services.
The Tucson is very reliable with regular maintenance, it has built in warnings for oil change engine problems etc. As of yet I have had no problems.
So far it has been I did lost air in the tire but just took it to a place. Although it's expensive to have it checked up.
It is very reliable for driving. It is sports car but it can be pushed to drive at fast pace. Tech wise it does not have fancy features but the radio and connection to smartphones makes the tech usable and easy to use.
It is very reliable I commute from Connecticut every day for work. It rides well in all weather conditions.
I have not had any issues so far with this car. I have remote start via the app that allows for a warm morning. I take it in for regularly scheduled maintenance.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is good with a standard 5-inch touchscreen display. There’s an optional larger 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreens available which also have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality on the SEL and higher models.
Safety technology is similar to other small SUVs, offering a standard rearview camera. Optional advanced safety features include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, rear parking sensors, adaptive headlights, as well as brake assist with pedestrian detection.
Is the 2018 Hyundai Tucson a Good Value?
No, the 2018 Hyundai Tucson is not a good value since there are still some engine problems. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $16,300 to $20,075, making it cheaper than a Subaru Forester or Honda CR-V. When new, the price range was $22,550 to $30,825. Depreciation is similar to other SUVs, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Hyundai Tucson?
There are six models of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson offered, from the base SE all the way up to the well-equipped Limited. The 2018 Tucson comes standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.
SE is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seats
- Automatic Headlights
- Heated Mirrors
- Blind-Spot Mirror
- Rearview Camera
- Cruise Control
- 60/40-Split Folding Back Seat
- Bluetooth
- USB Port
- 5-Inch Touchscreen
- Six-Speaker Sound System
SEL is a step up, adding:
- LED Running Lights
- Fog Lights
- Roof Rails
- Power-Adjustable Driver Seat
- Heated Front Seats
- 7-Inch Touchscreen
- Satellite Radio
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Sport is next in the lineup with:
- 19-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Unique Exterior Styling Items
- Lane Keep Assist
- Keyless Entry & Ignition
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
SEL Plus adds features such as:
- Power-Adjustable Passenger Seat
- Leather Upholstery
- Upgraded Door Trim
- Hyundai’s Blue Link Connected Services
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Navigation System
- Eight-Speaker Infinity Sound System
Value adds some items including:
- Hands-Free Power Liftgate
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Stain-Resistant Cloth Upholstery
Limited is the flagship model which adds:
- LED Headlights and Taillights
- Premium Leather Upholstery
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Seats
- Pedestrian Detection
What Engines Come In the Hyundai Tucson?
- The base engine in the Hyundai Tucson is an average 2.0L 4-cylinder which makes 164 horsepower while getting up to 26 MPG. It comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.
- On the Sport model is a slightly stronger 2.4L 4-cylinder which produces 181 horsepower at up to 24 MPG. This also has a six-speed automatic transmission. Performance is okay, taking 7.6 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
- The flagship engine is the efficient 1.6L 4-cylinder turbo which generates 175 horsepower while getting 27 MPG. This has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
What Colors Does the Hyundai Tucson Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Hyundai Tucson?
The 2018 Hyundai Tucson has a comfortable and spacious interior with plenty of room for passengers to stretch out. The front seats are supportive and provide good legroom and headroom, while the rear seats are a bit more cramped for adults over six feet tall.
The Tucson also has a smooth ride quality and does a good job of absorbing bumps and rough roads. Overall, most owners seem to find the Tucson to be a comfortable and enjoyable vehicle to drive on longer trips.
How Much Storage Space Does the Hyundai Tucson Have?
The 2018 Hyundai Tucson has a maximum cargo volume of 61.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, which is enough room for 15 suitcases. It also has a storage area under the cargo floor that can be used to store smaller items. With all seats in place, the Tucson has a maximum cargo volume of 31 cubic feet, which can fit around 6 suitcases.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The third generation of the Hyundai Tucson was introduced in 2016, and replaced by the fourth generation in 2022.
2016: Fully redesigned for the third generation with new styling and engine choices.
2017: Optional Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, upgraded interior materials.
2018: New engine in the sport model, SEL & SEL Plus models added, Eco model discontinued.
2019: Small exterior styling changes, turbocharged 1.6L discontinued, standard lane-keep assist & collision avoidance.
2020: No major changes.
2021: No changes since the 2019 model year.
2022: Redesigned for the fourth generation with new engines, technology, and features.
How Does the Hyundai Tucson Compare to the Competition?
The 2018 Hyundai Tucson is a bad compact SUV since there are so many mechanical problems as they age, making it one that buyers should stay away from, especially if it’s outside the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a slightly larger SUV which costs around $2,000 more. Passenger room is better in the Hyundai Santa Fe, while the steering is more responsive in the Hyundai Tucson. We recommend the Hyundai Santa Fe since there are fewer mechanical problems reported by owners.
The Nissan Rogue is another small SUV which is around $500 less. Reliability ratings are better in the Nissan Rogue, while the Hyundai Tucson offers a more upscale interior for the cost. We recommend the Nissan Rogue since there are fewer mechanical problems reported as it ages.
Do Owners Recommend the Hyundai Tucson?
Yes. It is roomy, has heated seats, all wheel drive, and apple CarPlay! It is great for our family who regularly travels two states away to see family and this has been so a great experience with this vehicle so far.
Yes. It is a wonderful car. Great gas mileage. Nice size and easy to drive. The controls are easy to use.
Yes. I love the cloth seats, the spacious truck, and the touch screen console. The back seats lay flat and was perfect for my move. There is enough room for my toddler.
Yes, it's a fun roomy, SUV. Great for a quick getaway for two or a long trip to grandma's house in the woods. In sport mode enough pick to please, or keep in eco mode to save on the gas. I love it.
Yes the way it drives although makes me nervous when my husband drives it. Not big enough for him I think.
Yes it is. Family car and pretty good on gas. Great looking car. Very comfortable from traveling. It is not the best with tech but it has feature that are really reliable.
Yes it is safe. The AWD is great in the snow. The interior is roomy & the exterior is good looking. It has great gas mileage.
Yes I absolutely love this car. Great on gas and several driving modes that make trips anywhere easier. First car I plan to pay off.