2023 Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai's popular compact crossover SUV, the Tucson, is now in its fourth generation and continues to wow with its stylish looks, impressive value for money, and wide range of standard features. The Tucson received a complete makeover for 2022 and returns for the new model year with a face that still feels fresh and a wide range of trim levels to choose from. The standard 187-horsepower 2.5-liter engine might not be the Tucson's strong point, but the Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions with the 1.6-liter turbocharged power plant offer up to 261 horsepower. It does shine when it comes to its stylish cabin and excellent refinement on the move, and even the fiercest Hyundai Tucson's competitors such as the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 will have a hard time keeping up when it comes to bang for your buck.

In order to be competitive in this segment, one needs to have a great product at an ever better price. Hyundai has ensured the Tucson is priced well for the segment, with the entry-level SE carrying a base MSRP of $26,450, while the SEL trim goes for $28,050. XRT models cost $33,275, while the N Line model retails for $33,325. The top-spec Limited Hyundai Tucson has a sticker price of $35,710. Adding an AWD system increases the price by another $1,500.

On the hybrid side, you have the Blue HEV AWD with an MSRP of $30,900. An SEL Convenience retails for $33,860, while the current top-spec Limited HEV costs $38,660. SEL plug-in hybrid models are priced at $37,050 with the Limited PHEV going for $44,310. All of these prices exclude a freight charge of $1,295.

This compact crossover has been designed to live in the city, and in that setting, it performs really well. The 2023 Tucson offers good ride quality over both paved suburban roads and highways and never feels unsettled, and although the ride can border on the firm, the damping is very well controlled and the cabin is well insulated, with road noise kept to a minimum, adding to the Hyundai's solid feel. The overall impression borders on premium, especially in the Limited trim, and is more than a match for the impeccably balanced Mazda CX-5. Steering is light, and even in Sport mode, the feeling of lightness doesn't change much. The eight-speed automatic shifts smoothly, despite its awkward button-type shifter in the higher trims. We'd go for the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine in the hybrid and skip the naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the base models; it lacks any real punch.

After a redesign in 2022, a review of the 2023 Hyundai Tucson shows that it is now an even more powerful force in the highly competitive compact crossover segment. This Korean manufacturer learns from every new iteration and pays attention to what needs improving. The 2023 model year is the best Tucson yet, and with good reason: the built quality is out of this world and rivals that of class leaders such as the Mazda CX-5. The same can be said for the ride and handling, which is exactly what you want in this class. The Tucson is quietly confident, planted, and comfortable. The interior reeks of quality and attention to detail, and we appreciate that all 2023 models now feature a slew of standard driver-assistance features. One complaint would be the lack of punch from the base engine, and we recommend spending the extra cash on a hybrid model to unlock the 1.6-liter engine. While cars such as the Toyota RAV4 continue to coast on a good name, the Tucson offers real-world value and is a strong contender in this class.

For the money, the non-hybrid models offer excellent value in base SE and then SEL trim, and if financially viable, we would opt for SEL and add the Convenience Package for desirable features such as the digital gauge cluster, 19-inch wheels, sunroof, dual-zone climate control, leatherette upholstery, leather-trimmed steering wheel, and auto-dimming mirror. It's hard to justify the N Line appearance package on such an already bold-looking car, and, frankly, the Limited trim is just too expensive for the segment. It's strange to claim a car can be overloaded, but Hyundai has managed it at the top end of the Tucson range.

For the overall best value for money, we look towards the hybrid drivetrain model in Blue trim. It comes with virtually all the features of the gas-only SEL trim but with a much stronger drivetrain and an excellent 38/38/38 MPGe fuel economy figure. The SEL Convenience starts to get pricey while the Limited is, like the gas-only model, too expensive. The Blue trim truly is the sweet spot for the all-new Tucson.