Hyundai bumps the price of its 2016 Tucson in exchange for more equipment, better looks

By Miles Branman July 14, 2015

Hyundai has officially revealed full pricing and specs for its redesigned 2016 Tucson compact crossover ahead of its U.S. sale date later this month.

The Tucson SE will start at $22,700 and comes with a multifunction steering wheel; six-speaker audio system; rear-view camera; tinted windows; Bluetooth, iPod, USB, and auxilliary connectivity; 17-inch alloy wheels; and a 5.0-inch infotainment system. Power comes from a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine making 164 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission comes standard with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available on all models for an additional $1,400.

Moving up the ladder, the Tucson Eco costs $24,150 and features all the above plus LED daytime running lights, fog lights and roof rails, a power driver’s seat, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 175 HP and 195 lb-ft of torque.

The Tucson Sport adds heated front seats, a power liftgate, 19-inch alloy wheels, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert for $26,150. Finally, the range-topping Tucson Limited includes chrome trim, LED headlights and taillights, leather seats, a power passenger seat, painted interior trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, an electrochromatic (auto-dimming) rear-view mirror, a premium audio system, and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with GPS navigation for $29,900.

The front-drive SE, powered by the base 2.0-liter engine, is rated at 23/31 mpg city/highway, with the all-wheel-drive version achieving significantly worse numbers at 21/26 mpg. The more efficient 1.6-liter turbo in the Tucson Sport and Limited models is good for 25/30 mpg in front-drive form, or 24/28 with all-wheel drive. As the mileage champ, the Eco Tucson averages 26/33 mpg as a front-wheel-drive model or 25/31 mpg with AWD.

As for its styling, the 2016 Tucson is significantly more handsome than the model it replaces, borrowing design cues from the new Hyundai Genesis and its larger crossover sibling, the Santa Fe.

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