The 2021 Hyundai Tucson lasts around 200,000 miles with some minor braking system and transmission software issues reported. At $21,875 to $29,950, it’s a great value for a compact SUV with a nice interior for the money.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2021 is a great year for the Hyundai Tucson since it features a lot of advanced technology with a luxurious cabin. Owner reviews praise the long warranty, low maintenance costs, along with the standard safety features.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are very nice for a compact SUV, the seats offer a good amount of support, cargo space is also okay for its size.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no serious problems found on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson. Models from 2016–2018 have widespread engine problems, while 2019–2022 are more dependable choices.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from the standard four-cylinder engines, although they’re not as fast as some competitors.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2021 Tucson is very safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. Standard features include lane keep assist along with automatic emergency braking. Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control with pedestrian detection.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 25 MPG, giving 410 miles of range out of the 16.4 gallon tank. Gas costs are similar to other small SUVs at $217 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2021 Hyundai Tucson is cheaper than many other small SUVs on the market while offering a lot of great features for the money.
Positive Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Hyundai Tucson?
- Consumer Reports says the 2021 Hyundai Tucson offers a more modern interior as a well-rounded SUV with average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Tucson at 4.7/5, praising the easy-to-use infotainment system, but doesn’t like the smaller cargo area than some competitors.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Tucson a 4.1/5, enjoying the excellent safety features, but owners don’t like the slow engines.
What Common Problems Does the 2021 Hyundai Tucson Have?
Common problems found on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson include the automatic braking system being overly sensitive, slow changing between gears, along with premature brake wear. Overall, these problems are similar to other small SUVs on the market, leading to average repair costs.
The automatic braking system being overly sensitive is the most widespread complaint from 2021 Hyundai Tucson owners in the first 10,000 miles. Usually, the problem is caused by a damaged or miscalibrated sensor. Fixing the sensor costs under $200, depending on local labor rates.
Slow changing between gears is another problem on the 2021 Tucson at around 1,500 miles. There are transmission control module software updates available which improve the speed of the transmission. Most dealerships will install these updates for free, while some charge around $100.
Premature brake wear also shows up on some Hyundai Tucson models at around 10,000 miles. The front brake pads in particular wear out quickly. Replacing the front brake pads costs around $150, while there are some aftermarket options which last longer and cost around $200.
There’s only one recall on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, although it’s more serious than some other small SUVs. The recall covers the ABS unit, which can catch fire in the engine compartment while the vehicle is parked. Hyundai will replace the ABS unit on affected models for free.
How Long Will the 2021 Hyundai Tucson Last?
A well-maintained 2021 Hyundai Tucson can last around 200,000 miles, which is shorter than other small SUVs like the Toyota RAV4. Regular annual maintenance costs are cheaper than many other compact SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal at $395 per year.
As a used 2021 Hyundai Tucson reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the power set motor for $300, a window regulator costing $450, along with the headlamp housing which costs $485.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is very good with a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Optional upgrades include a larger 8-inch touchscreen along with a more powerful stereo.
Standard safety technology is excellent offering:
- Rearview camera
- Forward collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Driver drowsiness monitoring
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane keep assist
Optional advanced driver assistance features include:
- Blind spot monitoring
- Surround-view parking camera system
- Adaptive cruise control
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Pedestrian detection
Is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson a Good Value?
Yes, the Hyundai Tucson is a good value for a small SUV with a nice interior and a very long warranty. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $21,875 to $29,950, making it similar in price to a Kia Sportage or Subaru Forester. When new, the price range was $23,700 to $33,450. Depreciation is similar to other small SUVs, losing about 5% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Hyundai Tucson?
There are six models of the 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered from the base SE, all the way through to the very luxurious Ultimate. The Tucson comes standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.
SE is the entry-level model which has:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Upholstery
- Automatic Headlights
- 7-Inch Touchscreen
- Six-Speaker Audio System
Value is a step up, adding:
- Heated Mirrors
- Roof Rails
- Keyless Ignition and Entry
- Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- Heated Front Seats
- Satellite Radio
SEL is next in the lineup with:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Soft-Touch Plastic Trim
- Dual Exhaust Pipes
- Rear Air Vents
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Rear USB Port
Sport adds features such as:
- 19-Inch Wheels
- LED Headlights
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Wireless Phone Charging Pad
- Hands-Free Liftgate
- Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
- Eight-Speaker Infinity Stereo System
Limited offers good upgrades including:
- 18-Inch Wheels
- Leather Upholstery
- Chrome Exterior Trim
- Power Passenger Seat
- Heated Steering Wheel
Ultimate is the flagship model with:
- Premium Leather Seating
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Seats
- 8-Inch Touchscreen Stereo
What Engines Come In the Hyundai Tucson?
The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offers two engine options, both paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The base engine is a 2.0-liter inline-4 that produces 161 horsepower, providing adequate power for daily driving. The combined fuel economy for this engine is 25 miles per gallon.
For those seeking a bit more power, there is an available 2.4-liter inline-4 engine that generates 181 horsepower. This engine offers slightly better performance while maintaining a similar fuel efficiency, with a combined fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon. Performance is okay, taking 8.8 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Hyundai Tucson Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Hyundai Tucson?
The 2021 Hyundai Tucson is known for its comfortable and well-appointed interior, making it an excellent choice for families, commuters, and road-trip enthusiasts alike. Its spacious cabin comfortably seats up to five passengers, with ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear occupants. The seats are supportive and cushioned, providing a pleasant driving experience even on longer journeys.
Furthermore, the cabin is well-insulated from road and wind noise, allowing for a quiet and serene ride. The suspension is tuned for a smooth and composed drive, effectively absorbing most road imperfections. In summary, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson delivers a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience, making it a top contender in the compact SUV segment.
How Much Storage Space Does the Hyundai Tucson Have?
The 2021 Hyundai Tucson is a versatile compact SUV that offers an impressive amount of storage space for its class. With its 60/40 split-folding rear seats in place, the Tucson provides 31 cubic feet of cargo room, which is ample for daily errands, grocery shopping, or accommodating a couple of suitcases for a weekend getaway.
When you need more room, simply fold down the rear seats to expand the cargo area to an impressive 61.9 cubic feet. This generous space is perfect for accommodating larger items such as bicycles, camping gear, or even small furniture items during a move.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The third generation of the Hyundai Tucson came out for the 2016 model year and is replaced by the fourth generation for the 2022 model year.
2016: Fully redesigned for the third generation with new engines and styling.
2017: Optional Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with upgraded interior materials.
2018: New engine offered in the Sport model, Eco model discontinued, SEL and SEL Plus models introduced.
2019: Minor exterior styling changes, removed turbocharged 1.6L engine, standard lane keep assist and collision avoidance.
2020: No changes from earlier years.
2021: The same as earlier years.
2022: Fully redesigned for the fourth generation with new styling, technology, and engines.
How Does the Hyundai Tucson Compare to the Competition?
The 2021 Hyundai Tucson is a very nice compact SUV which offers better luxury features than many of the competitors while also having a very long 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a larger SUV offered by Hyundai which is around $4,500 more. Passenger room is better in the Hyundai Santa Fe, while the Hyundai Tucson offers a more responsive driving experience. We recommend the Hyundai Santa Fe since it’s more practical, although both are good choices.
The Mazda CX-5 is another compact SUV which is about $1,500 more. Performance is better in the Mazda CX-5, while the cabin is nicer in the Hyundai Tucson. We recommend the Mazda CX-5 since it lasts a bit longer, although both are good choices for the 2021 model year.
