2016 Hyundai Tucson: First Look

• Competes with: Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4
• Looks like: The SUV version of the Sonata sedan
• Drivetrains: 164-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder; 175-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder; six-speed automatic or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: July 2015

More 2015 New York Auto Show Coverage

Hyundai has updated much of its lineup during the last two years and it’s finally the Tucson’s turn. The automaker’s smallest crossover gets sportier exterior styling, more fuel-efficient powertrains and additional safety features for 2016.

Exterior

The Tucson’s wheelbase grows by more than an inch this year, and it wears a large, new face, making it look bigger than its compact SUV dimensions suggest. The updates also give the SUV a more athletic look that brings it in line aesthetically with the rest of the brand’s lineup. Changes include a more upright hexagonal grille and available LED twin-projector headlights accented by integrated LED daytime running lights.

New LED approach lamps illuminate the door handles, and the Tucson’s roof rails are sleeker this year for a more integrated appearance. In back, bevel-cut twin chrome exhaust tips, LED-accented taillight and a standard spoiler round out the styling changes.

Interior

Hyundai says it’s paid a lot of attention to cabin refinement with more soft-touch materials than the outgoing Tucson and an overall emphasis on a premium-feel ambiance.  A leather-wrapped instrument panel is newly available, as is a leather-stitched pad located near the driver’s right knee for comfort during long drives, according to Hyundai.

The 2016 Tucson has a standard 5-inch color touch-screen multimedia system; an 8-inch unit with navigation is optional, as is Apple Siri Eyes Free integration. Other new options include a full-length panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, stain-resistant seats and a power liftgate with auto-open; it automatically opens when you stand within a few feet of it for a few seconds with the key fob in a pocket or purse.

Cargo room behind the second row is up 5 cubic feet this year to 31.0 cubic feet, and Hyundai also says the cargo area opening has been enlarged “in every dimension.” The rear seats again fold in a 60/40 split but have a greater range of adjustability with a recline of 37 degrees this year compared with the previous model’s 28 degrees.

Under the Hood

Two engines are available. Base models use last year’s 164-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit paired with a six-speed automatic. Hyundai says the pairing is slightly more efficient in the new Tucson, with an estimated 23/31/26 mpg city/highway/combined rating. That’s 1 mpg higher in combined driving than the outgoing model.

Eco, Sport and Limited models use a new 175-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Hyundai expects the engine to be between 2 and 3 mpg more efficient than the outgoing 2.4-liter four-cylinder.

All-wheel drive will again be available, and like its larger Santa Fe siblings, the 2016 Tucson also offers the Drive Mode Select system. Drivers can customize steering feel, transmission and overall powertrain responsiveness with the touch of a button. 

Safety

A backup camera is a new standard safety feature for 2016. Newly optional safety features include Automatic Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist.