Hyundai Tucson: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Hyundai Tucson version to choose depends on whether you prioritize economy, acceleration, drivetrain, or a simpler specification. The catalogue covers six generation entries, grouped here into four generations, all using an SUV 5-doors body.
The Hyundai Tucson version to choose depends on whether you prioritize economy, acceleration, drivetrain, or a simpler specification. The catalogue covers six generation entries, grouped here into four generations, all using an SUV 5-doors body. The first generation ran from July 2004 to January 2010, the second from August 2009 to February 2015, the third from March 2015 to January 2021 including its restyling, and the fourth from September 2020 onward including its restyling. Across these generations, the data includes Gasoline, Diesel, and Hybrid versions, outputs from 112 hp to 236 hp, Manual, Automatic, and Robotic gearboxes, plus FWD and AWD.
Hyundai Tucson generations: what changed
The first-generation Hyundai Tucson lists 15 versions for 2004–2010. Its catalogue range includes 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT Gasoline or Diesel choices, plus 2.7 MT and 2.7 AT Gasoline versions. Gearboxes have 4 or 5 speeds, and both FWD and AWD appear. The strongest listed first-generation version has 175 hp, while ground clearance is consistently 195 mm and the fuel tank holds 58 litres.
The second generation lists 14 versions for 2009–2015. It retains the SUV 5-doors body but moves to 6-speed Manual and Automatic gearboxes throughout the shown range. Its 2.0 Diesel versions reach 184 hp and 392 Nm, while Gasoline alternatives include 2.0 AT and 2.4 AT. Ground clearance is either 170 or 195 mm, and every listed version uses a 58-litre tank.
The third generation lists 18 versions for 2015–2018, followed by a restyled range with 24 versions for 2018–2021. It adds 1.6 and 1.7 engines, a 7-speed Robotic gearbox, and Euro 6 versions alongside Euro 5 specifications. The pre-restyling range includes Gasoline and Diesel engines, whereas the displayed restyled selection is Gasoline-only. Depending on version, clearance is 163, 172, or 182 mm, and the tank capacity is 62 litres.
The fourth generation lists 18 versions for 2020–2024 and 12 versions in the restyled catalogue from December 2023 onward. It broadens the choice to 1.6, 2.0, and 2.5 engines, including Gasoline, Diesel, MHEV-labelled versions, and Hybrid versions. Gearboxes span 6, 7, or 8 speeds. The strongest listed Tucson is the restyled 1.6 AT Hybrid with 236 hp, while wheel specifications range from 215/65 R17 to 235/50 R19.
Hyundai Tucson engine specs and version comparison
Repeated names are separated below by generation, power, fuel, gearbox, or drive so that every exact version name remains identifiable.
| Generation and exact version name | hp | Nm | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First: 2.0 MT, Gasoline, FWD/AWD | 140 | 184 | 1975 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD/AWD |
| First: 2.0 AT, Gasoline, FWD/AWD | 140 | 184 | 1975 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD/AWD |
| First: 2.7 AT, 173/175 hp | 173/175 | 241 | 2656 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD/AWD |
| First: 2.7 MT | 173 | 245 | 2656 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| First: 2.0 AT, Diesel, 112 hp | 112 | 255 | 1991 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | FWD/AWD |
| First: 2.0 MT, Diesel, 112/140 hp | 112/140 | 255/305 | 1991 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First: 2.0 AT, Diesel, 140 hp | 140 | 305 | 1991 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second: 2.0 AT, Diesel, 150 hp | 150 | 305 | 1991 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | FWD/AWD |
| Second: 2.0 MT, Diesel, 150 hp | 150 | 305 | 1991 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD/AWD |
| Second: 2.0 AT, Diesel, 136 hp | 136 | 373 | 1995 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second: 2.0 AT, Diesel, 184 hp | 184 | 390 | 1995 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | FWD/AWD |
| Second: 2.0 MT, Diesel, 184 hp | 184 | 392 | 1995 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second: 2.0 AT, Gasoline | 164 | 151 | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD/AWD |
| Second: 2.4 AT | 176 | 168 | 2359 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD/AWD |
| Third: 1.6 MT, 132 hp | 132 | 161 | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third: 1.6 MT, 177 hp | 177 | 265 | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD/AWD |
| Third: 1.6 DCT | 177 | 265 | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| Third: 1.7 MT | 115 | 280 | 1685 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third: 1.7 DCT | 141 | 340 | 1685 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Third: 2.0 MT, Diesel | 136 | 373 | 1995 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD/AWD |
| Third: 2.0 AT, Diesel | 136 | 373 | 1995 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Third: 2.0 MT, Gasoline | 150 | 192 | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD/AWD |
| Third: 2.0 AT, Gasoline | 155 | 192 | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Restyled third: 1.6 MT, 132 hp | 132 | 160 | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Restyled third: 1.6 MT, 177 hp | 177 | 265 | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD/AWD |
| Restyled third: 1.6 DCT | 177 | 265 | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| Restyled third: 2.0 MT, 150 hp | 150 | 192 | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD/AWD |
| Restyled third: 2.0 AT, 150 hp | 150 | 192 | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD/AWD |
| Restyled third: 2.0 AT, 161 hp | 161 | 204 | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD/AWD |
| Restyled third: 2.4 AT | 184 | 237 | 2359 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD/AWD |
| Fourth: 1.6 MT MHEV, 150/180 hp | 150/180 | 270 | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.6 DCT MHEV | 150 | 250 | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.6 MT, Diesel | 136 | 280 | 1598 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.6 DCT, Gasoline | 180 | 270 | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.6 AT, Hybrid | 230 | 270 | 1598 cc | Hybrid | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth: 2.0 AT, Gasoline, 150 hp | 150 | 192 | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 6-speed Automatic | FWD/AWD |
| Fourth: 2.0 AT, Gasoline, 156 hp | 156 | 196 | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth: 2.0 AT, Diesel | 186 | 416 | 1998 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Fourth: 2.5 AT, 190 hp | 190 | 242 | 2497 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 8-speed Automatic | FWD/AWD |
| Restyled fourth: 1.6 MT | 160 | 265 | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Restyled fourth: 1.6 DCT, 180 hp | 180 | 270 | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD/AWD |
| Restyled fourth: 1.6 AT, 160 hp | 160 | 265 | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD/AWD |
| Restyled fourth: 1.6 AT, Hybrid, 235/236 hp | 235/236 | 270 | 1598 cc | Hybrid | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD/AWD |
| Restyled fourth: 2.0 AT, Diesel | 186 | 416 | 1998 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Restyled fourth: 2.5 AT | 187 | 241 | 2497 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 8-speed Automatic | FWD/AWD |
Power density helps expose differences hidden by engine names. The first-generation 2.0 MT Gasoline produces about 70.9 hp per litre, while its 2.7 AT with 175 hp produces about 65.9 hp per litre. The third-generation 1.6 MT with 177 hp reaches about 111.3 hp per litre. The fourth-generation 1.6 AT Hybrid with 230 hp reaches about 143.9 hp per litre, and the restyled 236 hp version reaches about 147.7 hp per litre.
Hyundai Tucson performance, fuel economy, and mpg-related figures
For maximum acceleration among versions with measured data, the fourth-generation 1.6 AT Hybrid reaches 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds. Restyled 1.6 AT Hybrid versions with 235 or 236 hp also record 8.0 seconds with FWD, while the 235 hp AWD version takes 8.3 seconds. The quickest non-Hybrid entry is the fourth-generation 1.6 DCT at 8.8 seconds, followed by the 1.6 MT MHEV with 180 hp and the restyled 1.6 DCT with 180 hp at 8.9 seconds.
The highest measured top speed is 205 km/h. That figure belongs to the third-generation 1.6 MT with 177 hp and FWD, the fourth-generation 1.6 MT MHEV with 180 hp, and the restyled 1.6 DCT with 180 hp and FWD. At the other end, the first-generation 2.0 AT Gasoline reaches 160 km/h, while some versions have top speed listed as not measured.
The lowest measured combined consumption is 4.4 l/100 km for the restyled 2.0 AT Diesel. The third-generation 1.7 MT uses 4.6 l/100 km combined, and the third-generation 2.0 MT Diesel with FWD and the fourth-generation 1.6 MT Diesel each use 4.8 l/100 km. Fourth-generation and restyled 1.6 AT Hybrid FWD versions use 4.9 l/100 km combined. The highest measured combined figure is 10.2 l/100 km, recorded by several 2.0 AT FWD or AWD specifications in the first, second, and restyled third-generation data.
Performance and consumption are not measured for every version. For example, the restyled third-generation 2.0 AT with 161 hp has 0–100 km/h and top speed listed as not measured. The restyled fourth-generation 2.5 AT has acceleration, top speed, and consumption listed as not measured.
Hyundai Tucson dimensions, weight, clearance, tank, and wheels
The catalogue does not provide exterior length, width, or height, so each is not measured. The available dimensions-related figures are weight, clearance, tank capacity, and wheel size.
The lightest listed Tucson is the restyled third-generation 1.6 MT with 132 hp at 1414 kg kerb weight. At 132 hp, that equals about 10.7 kg per hp. The fourth-generation 1.6 DCT with 180 hp weighs 1429 kg, or about 7.9 kg per hp. The fourth-generation 1.6 AT Hybrid with 230 hp weighs 1639 kg, or about 7.1 kg per hp. The restyled 1.6 AT Hybrid with 236 hp also weighs 1639 kg, improving the ratio slightly to about 6.9 kg per hp.
The highest measured gross weight is 2290 kg for the fourth-generation and restyled fourth-generation 2.0 AT Diesel. First- and second-generation tanks hold 58 litres. Third-generation tanks hold 62 litres. Fourth-generation capacity varies between 54 and 62 litres.
Ground clearance reaches 195 mm on the first generation and selected second-generation versions. Third-generation specifications range from 163 to 182 mm. The fourth generation lists 170 mm, while clearance for the restyled fourth generation is not measured. Listed wheels progress from first-generation values that are not measured to third-generation sizes including 215/70 R16, 225/60 R17, 225/55 R18, and 245/45 R19. Fourth-generation and restyled models list 215/65 R17, 235/55 R18, and 235/50 R19.
Which Hyundai Tucson version should you buy?
For the lowest measured combined consumption, choose the restyled fourth-generation 2.0 AT Diesel: 186 hp, 416 Nm, 8-speed Automatic, FWD, and 4.4 l/100 km. It produces 146 Nm more torque than the 236 hp restyled 1.6 AT Hybrid, although the Hybrid is quicker to 100 km/h by 1.4 seconds.
For the strongest acceleration and power-to-weight result, choose the restyled fourth-generation 1.6 AT Hybrid with 236 hp and FWD. It reaches 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, uses 4.9 l/100 km combined, and carries about 6.9 kg per hp. The 235 hp AWD alternative takes 8.3 seconds, uses 5.6 l/100 km, and weighs 1709 kg, so AWD adds 70 kg while combined consumption rises by 0.7 l/100 km.
For a non-Hybrid performance choice, the fourth-generation 1.6 DCT with 180 hp and FWD stands out: 8.8 seconds to 100 km/h, 201 km/h top speed, and 7.2 l/100 km combined. The fourth-generation 1.6 MT MHEV with 180 hp is one-tenth slower to 100 km/h but reaches 205 km/h and uses 5.8 l/100 km combined, a reduction of 1.4 l/100 km.
For a straightforward third-generation specification, compare the restyled 2.0 MT with 150 hp in FWD and AWD form. FWD reaches 100 km/h in 10.6 seconds and uses 7.9 l/100 km combined; AWD takes 11.3 seconds and uses 8.2 l/100 km. AWD therefore adds 0.7 seconds and 0.3 l/100 km in these matched Manual versions.
For older-generation Diesel torque, the second-generation 2.0 MT with 184 hp is the key version. Its 392 Nm exceeds the first-generation 2.7 MT’s 245 Nm by 147 Nm, while combined consumption is 6.4 l/100 km against a not measured figure for the 2.7 MT. It also reaches 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds, whereas acceleration for that first-generation 2.7 MT is not measured.
No price, Limited trim, engine recall, engine problems, reliability, oil capacity, or air-filter replacement data is supplied. Those points are therefore not measured and cannot determine the recommendation. On the available figures alone, the restyled 2.0 AT Diesel is the economy-and-torque choice, the restyled 1.6 AT Hybrid with 236 hp is the acceleration choice, and the restyled third-generation 2.0 MT with 150 hp and FWD is the clearest matched-data choice when a 6-speed Manual and lower measured consumption than its AWD counterpart matter most.