Name: 2008 Hyundai Tucson
Brand: Hyundai

Hyundai Tucson

EPA MPG: 21 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 21 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

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2008 Compact SUVs Ratings

2008 Hyundai Tucson

$3,400 - $4,825

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Chevrolet Equinox

$3,500 - $4,350

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Dodge Nitro

$4,725 - $5,425

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Ford Escape

$4,200 - $5,050

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

$4,200 - $5,050

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Honda CR-V

$6,625 - $7,125

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Honda Element

$6,825 - $7,575

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Infiniti EX

$5,525 - $5,925

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Jeep Compass

$3,625 - $4,125

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Jeep Liberty

$4,575 - $5,175

EPA MPG 17 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Jeep Patriot

$3,675 - $4,250

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Jeep Wrangler

$9,400 - $11,600

EPA MPG 17 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Kia Sorento

$4,350 - $5,775

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Kia Sportage

$4,475 - $4,950

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Mazda Tribute

$4,525 - $4,950

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Mercury Mariner

$3,750 - $5,025

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Mitsubishi Outlander

$3,350 - $5,225

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Nissan Rogue

$4,050 - $4,400

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Nissan Xterra

$5,025 - $6,300

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Pontiac Torrent

$4,100 - $4,600

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Saturn Vue

$4,200 - $4,625

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Subaru Forester

$4,700 - $6,500

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara

$3,950 - $5,050

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser

$12,650 - $13,275

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Toyota RAV4

$7,000 - $7,450

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Compact SUVs Ratings

Model History

2022-

Current Generation

The redesigned fourth-generation Tucson compact SUV is much more substantial than the mediocre model it replaces. With the standard 187-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder teamed with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Tucson has a polished operation but accelerates leisurely. The hybrid’s pairing of a 1.6-liter turbo engine and electric assist got 35 mpg overall in our tests. The ride is firm yet steady, handling is responsive and secure, and the nicely-trimmed cabin is relatively quiet. The back seat is roomy and the cargo area is generous for the class. Controls are easy to use. But higher trims replace physical volume and temperature knobs with touch-sensitive controls and a push-button gear selector. Standard active safety features include FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, LDW, and LKA. Adaptive cruise control became standard in 2023 and remote parking is optional.

2016-2021

2016 Redesign Year

The redesigned-for-2016 Tucson shares only its name with the previous generation. Now it's more inline with the larger Santa Fe Sport and Santa Fe SUVs. The overall package is more competitive against the segment leaders. The base version has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, linked to a six-speed automatic. This version is rather slow and returned 24 mpg overall. More expensive trims get a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder that uses a seven-speed automated manual transmission. This quieter and quicker setup returned 26 mpg overall, but it suffers from a vibration at very low speed, such as in parking maneuvers. Otherwise, ride comfort is pliant and composed, handling is responsive and secure, and the cabin is quiet. Controls are easy to use, and the rear seat is roomy. The Tucson has available lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. A new 181-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic arrived in 2018. In our tests, it was faster than the 2.0-liter but returned only 22 mpg overall. The Tucson got a freshening for 2019 which included replacing the previous top-level engine choice (1.6-liter turbo mated to a clunky seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission) with a 2.4-liter and a regular automatic. A few interior touches, such as an electronic parking brake, were introduced as well.

2010-2015

2010 Redesign Year

A decided improvement over its predecessor, the Tucson's 2010 to 2015 version was practical. However it was an also-ran in the crowded small SUV space. The only engine was a 2.4-liter four cylinder, which supplied decent acceleration, but tended to be noisy and unpleasant when pushed. It got 22 mpg overall. Handling was secure and responsive, but the ride was stiff and road noise pronounced. Cabin furnishings are quite basic with hard plastics, but controls are easy to use. This generation's styling also compromised cargo space and severely hampered outward visibility. While this generation did better in crash tests than pre-2010 models, it did poorly in the IIHS narrow offset crash test.

2005-2009

2005 Redesign Year

This version of the Tucson doesn't have much going for it. Crash protection wasn't up to snuff; the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is not very zippy and is rather noisy. The optional 2.7-liter V6 delivers decent acceleration, but fuel economy is unimpressive. Handling is clumsy, but secure thanks to the standard stability control. The ride is fairly comfortable, but marred by suspension noise. Basically, skip this generation, look to the next one for a better execution all around.

Hyundai Tucson

2008 SUVs Reliability

Crash and Rollover Tests

Crash and Rollover Tests

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

Owner Reports

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

Crash and Rollover Tests

2008 Compact SUVs Ratings