Before You Buy

Hyundai Tucson: Buy Score, Reliability & Ownership Costs

Compact Crossover · SUV

MSRP Range$30,800–$43,320
A white 2026 Hyundai Tucson crossover parked in a suburban driveway in soft morning light, shot candidly at a three-quarter angle.
Engine2.5L 4-cylinder, 187 hp
Hybrid Powertrain1.6L turbo hybrid, 231 combined hp
Fuel Economy28 mpg combined (gas); up to 38 mpg combined (hybrid)
DrivetrainFront-wheel drive standard, all-wheel drive available

Our Verdict

Based on model-specific reliability data, ownership costs, and longevity signals.

Buy
84/100

Buy Score™

Pros

  • RepairPal ranks it 5th of 26 compact SUVs, with below-average repair severity and frequency
  • 2026 model earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and 5-star NHTSA overall rating
  • Hybrid trim available with up to 38 mpg combined
  • 10 yr/100,000 mi powertrain warranty, longer than most non-Kia rivals

Cons

  • iSeeCars shows faster 5-year depreciation (45.9%) than the Elantra or most Toyota/Honda crossovers
  • Base gas trim's 28 mpg combined trails some rivals
  • Hybrid trims cost several thousand dollars more up front

Can this car reach 300,000 miles?

Likely

RepairPal's model-specific score (4.0/5.0) ranks the Tucson 5th of 26 compact SUVs, with both repair frequency and severity below the class average — a genuinely strong, model-specific reliability signal.

First-Time Buyer Friendly

78/100

Approachable overall, though a first-time buyer should budget a little extra for insurance or upkeep.

Reliability Timeline

What tends to need attention, and when — based on model-specific reliability data.

RoutineModerateMajor

30,000 miles

Oil changes, tire rotations

60,000 miles

Brake pads
Battery

100,000 miles

Spark plugs
Hybrid trim's transaxle/inverter coolant service per Hyundai's schedule

150,000 miles

Suspension bushings and shocks

200,000+ miles

Commonly still running well with routine upkeep, per its above-average RepairPal ranking

What It Actually Costs to Own

Repair costs are among the lowest of any compact SUV on this site, but iSeeCars shows faster-than-average depreciation — factor resale into the total cost of ownership, not just running costs.

Estimated Annual Fuel Cost$1,400
Estimated Annual Insurance$1,400
Estimated Annual Maintenance$430
Estimated Annual Repairs$426
Estimated Annual Registration$190
5-Year Depreciation~46% of purchase price

Full Specifications

Engine2.5L 4-cylinder, 187 hp
Hybrid Powertrain1.6L turbo hybrid, 231 combined hp
Fuel Economy28 mpg combined (gas); up to 38 mpg combined (hybrid)
DrivetrainFront-wheel drive standard, all-wheel drive available
Seating5
Warranty5 yr/60,000 mi basic, 10 yr/100,000 mi powertrain

Check for open recalls before you buy

We don't yet have a live recall feed wired up for the Hyundai Tucson, so we won't guess at a number here. Before you buy any specific Tucson, run its VIN throughNHTSA's free recall lookup tool— it takes about 30 seconds and confirms whether that exact vehicle has any open, unrepaired safety recalls.

Similar Vehicles

A deep red 2026 Mazda CX-5 parked outside a small-town main street shop in soft afternoon light, shot candidly.
Buy
Compact Crossover

2026 Mazda CX-5

$29,000–$39,000

86
A white 2026 Toyota RAV4 parked at a trailhead in overcast, diffused daylight, shot from a slight low angle in a documentary style.
Buy
Compact Crossover

2026 Toyota RAV4

$31,900–$42,000

90
A dark gray 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV parked in a suburban driveway in soft evening light, shot candidly at a three-quarter angle.
Buy
Midsize SUV

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

$35,050–$48,700

85

Sources: RepairPal model reliability score (4.0/5.0), annual repair cost ($426), and 5th-of-26 compact SUV ranking: repairpal.com/reliability/hyundai/tucson (live lookup, 2026). 2026 MSRP ($30,800-$43,320), gas/hybrid trims, and engine/mpg specs: edmunds.com and spitzerhyundaicleveland.com 2026 Tucson pricing pages (live lookup, 2026). 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and 5-star NHTSA rating: hyundainews.com IIHS press release (live lookup, 2026). iSeeCars 5-year depreciation (45.9%): search-aggregated iSeeCars Santa Fe-vs-Tucson comparison data (live lookup, 2026).