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The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offers more value and features than ever, but given the higher cost, is it smarter to buy new or used? We take a look.
New vs Used: Hyundai Tucson
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Fun fact: Over 7 million Tucsons have been sold by Hyundai since inception back in 2004. Hello! As the South Korean automakers’ best-selling SUV, it garners a whole lot of engineering attention year-in and year-out to ensure this compact golden goose of a crossover continues that success. For consumers, this means that you really can’t go wrong when it comes to evaluating the cost-benefit relationship between a shiny new 2022 Hyundai Tucson and buying a used Hyundai Tucson model.
There are differences from one model year to the next, particularly when compared against a 2022 variant. As the first iteration of the fourth-generation Tucson, this new SUV struts about with an in-your-face style compliments of what Hyundai calls a “jewel-like” front grille. More angular, slightly bigger, and with a host of upgrades in the tech and features department, the new Tucson looks poised to continue sitting atop the Hyundai SUV sales podium.
Curious to learn more about the all-new model? Check out our deep review of this SUV here.
Built between 2016 and 2021, a gen-three Tucson is no slouch, with handsome styling and ample amenities, making it a worthy point of comparison in this new vs. used matchup. Because the Tucson is offered in a wide range of trim levels with multiple motors and drivetrain setups, today we’ll focus on the mid-pack Tucson SEL with AWD. This popular configuration is available on both generations with similar powertrains making them nearly apples-to-apples.
For the used model, we’ll go with a 2019 Tucson, which received a mid-cycle refresh that brought a host of gen-three improvements and added appeal.
New vs Used Hyundai Tucson Specs
Part of the 2019 Tucson refresh was the addition of a naturally aspirated 2.4L inline-four to the SEL. Making 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque, it pairs with a 6-speed automatic to spin all four wheels in our AWD example. Fuel economy rings in at 22 mpg in city driving and 28 on the highway.
For 2022, this motor has been ever so slightly bumped to 2.5 liters of displacement, making just 6 more horsepower and 3 more torques. However, it gains an 8-speed automatic for smoother shifting and better efficiency. Particularly in the fuel economy department as the 2022 Hyundai Tucson SEL AWD is rated for 26 mpg around town and 33 on the open road, a marked improvement over the 2019 model.
No surprise, a new Tucson is going to cost you more with our SEL AWD example starting at $29,895, but easily shooting past 30 grand with a couple packages. Browsing the listings on CarsForSale.com, you can find a 2019 Tucson SEL AWD with between 30 and 50 thousand miles for around $25,000. That roughly $5,000 savings is nice, but keep in mind the new Tucson comes with Hyundai’s recently rolled-out complimentary factory-scheduled maintenance for the first three years of ownership.
Driving and Performance
Given the near parity in power, you can expect similar giddy up from both a 2022 Hyundai Tucson and a lightly used 2019 model. Both sit on independent suspension all around and come with drive mode select dials to ensure a comfortable ride. Where the new Tucson shines more brightly (I’m here all night) is with its standard LED headlamps, DRLs, and tail lights, which are most beneficial for nighttime driving visibility.
The 2022 model also boasts a deeper roster of included advanced driver-assistance systems. A 2019 Tucson SEL came with forward collision avoidance, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. This year, the Tucson includes these systems along with lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, highway driving assist, safe exit assist, and automatic high beams. For those focused on the latest active safety, any new Hyundai is hard to beat.
Comfort and Interior
The key takeaway on the cabin comparison is that a 2022 Hyundai Tucson is six inches longer than its 2019 counterpart. That translates to three more inches of rear legroom and a whopping 23 more cubic feet of maximum cargo space. Behind the second row, you’ll find an additional ten cubic-feet of volume.
Both models share a strong list of standard creature comforts including an acoustic laminated windshield, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. These amenities can be bolstered with option packages on both models, but the main differentiator is how much more space you’ll find inside the 2022 Tucson.
Trims and Features
Boasting wireless connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a complimentary 3-year subscription to Hyundai’s Bluelink Connected Car System, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson SEL certainly steps ahead of the third-gen model. It also happens to sport most of the features we highlight in this list of Favorite Family Car Features.
A 2019 Tucson SEL comes with a 7-inch touchscreen and wired connection for Apple and Android devices. Not having your phone cord tangled up in the center console is a convenience on the new Tucson that is arguably one of the most crucial in this comparison, given how important our modern smartphones have become. Both SUVs are fitted with USB ports for rear passengers, but features like a wireless phone charger, Digital Key, and larger 10.25-inch touchscreen can only be found – via package – on the 2022 Tucson.
Conclusions
2019 Hyundai Tucson – hyundainews.com | Shop Hyundai Tucson on Carsforsale.com
Price aside, there’s no denying the 2022 Hyundai Tucson is an all-around better SUV than the third-gen model it replaces. More active safety systems, increased fuel economy, upgraded tech, and a roomier cabin are all objectively superior to a 2019 Tucson. Not to mention a brand-new Toyota RAV4, which the new Tucson beat in this comparison test. However, the bold new styling may not be for everyone and the 2019 model has more handsome European looks that are likely to age better.
And then, of course, there is the issue of price. A savings of $5,000 is not chump change and if you can survive without adaptive cruise control and a smaller cabin, the price drop makes the used Tucson a more appealing option in this comparison. Be sure to check out our in-depth reviews of the 2020 Tucson and 2021 Tucson to learn more about what you can expect from the tail-end of third-generation Tucson production.
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