Sep 23, 2023
10 Reasons To Buy A 2023 Hyundai Tucson
With an ever-increasing number of models in the popular compact SUV segment,
With an ever-increasing number of models in the popular compact SUV segment, find out how the latest Tucson manages to stand out from its rivals
The compact SUV market continues to gain popularity with an ever-increasing number of models, thanks to the excellent versatility that they offer. They come with a far more spacious interior and pack more cargo space when compared with compact sedans and hatchbacks. But in recent years, there has also been a noticeable improvement in technology and safety features with compact SUVs which has made them even more desirable with buyers.
The 2023 Hyundai Tucson has been one of the most popular compact SUVs in the market due to its unique and striking design which was introduced on this latest generation back in 2021. It also provides a very roomy and comfortable cabin along with lots of tech and safety enhancements which most of its competition misses out on. So whether you are looking for a practical compact crossover or seek a lot of tech in your vehicle, the 2023 Hyundai Tucson will amaze you with the following features.
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Even if it's a compact SUV, the storage space in the 2023 Hyundai Tucson is ample. It has a cargo space of 41.2 cubic-feet with the rear seats up and 80.3 cubic-feet when the rear seats are folded down. The cargo space is one of the best in the segment even if it's slightly less than the Honda CR-V's 39.2 cubic-feet.
Similarly, the interior space of the Hyundai Tucson is also sufficient for the drivers and the passengers. You get a maximum headroom of 40.1 inches in the front and 39.5 inches in the rear. As for legroom, you get 41.4 inches and 41.3 inches in the front and rear respectively which is more than enough for a regular-sized adult.
The 2023 Hyundai Tucson is available with a powerful plugin hybrid engine that produces a class-leading combined hybrid power of 261 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine is linked with a six-speed automatic transmission that gets to 60 mph in a time of 7.1 seconds which is quite quick for a compact SUV. The powerful engine provides you with a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs with trailer brakes and 1,650 lbs without the trailer brakes.
Apart from the plugin hybrid, the 2023 Hyundai Tucson is also available with a gasoline and hybrid engine. The gasoline engine produces 187 horsepower at 6100 rpm and 178 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. Whereas, the hybrid engine has a combined output power of 226 horsepower.
The 2023 Hyundai Tucson has an extensive list of safety features. Most of the safety assists of the Hyundai SmartSense come standard even for their base model. They include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning Detection (FCA-JT), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA). Likewise, you also get the Safety Edit Warning (SEW), Rear Occupant Alert (ROA), and Smart Cruise Control (SCC) of the Hyundai SmartSense in the base variant.
Furthermore, basic safety features like Downhill Brake Control (DBC), rear child safety locks, Electronic Stability Control (ECS) with Traction Control (TC) and Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) are also standard across all variants.
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When it comes to exterior design, most compact SUVs look more or less the same. But with this latest Tucson, Hyundai has really made an effort to stand out in a crowded compact crossover segment. In one word, the styling is 'Bold'. Even though the 2023 Hyundai Tucson hasn't changed much in its visual appearance, it still has a unique look with futuristic., angular and aggressive design elements.
It has an enormous grille in the front which makes it stand out from the competition, thanks to the daytime running lights (DRLs) that neatly merge with the grille. The headlights sit further down in a separate housing. Similarly, the rear end of the Tucson also looks very interesting and one of a kind. The tail lights look like they were taken out straight from the fangs of an animal. There's also a full-length LED lightbar at the rear that makes for a far more interesting look than rivals offer.
Despite being a compact SUV, the 2023 Hyundai Tucson offers plenty of wireless tech. Firstly, it is equipped with the Hyundai Digital Key which allows you to unlock the vehicle doors, activate the panic alert, and even start the engine with just the help of your smartphone. The digital key can also be shared with up to three users so that even your family members can use this feature to take the Tucson for a drive.
Moreover, the 2023 Hyundai Tucson even supports Bluelink-connected car service in the higher variants. You can use it to unlock the vehicle's doors and start the engine remotely too. But it can also be used to turn on the climate control and adjust the heated and ventilated seats along with many more remote functionalities.
The overall comfort of the 2023 Hyundai Tucson is one of the strongest features of this compact SUV. The seats are designed for comfort especially in the top level Limited variant as the seats are leather-trimmed. You also get ventilated front seats and heated rear seats in this particular trim level.
The eight-way power driver seat is standard across all trim levels. But the memory driver seat and 8-way power passenger seats are only available in the plug-in hybrid, hybrid, and the Limited trim for the gasoline variant. Additionally, the dual automatic temperature control is also standard in almost all the variants to make your ride even more comfortable.
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The connectivity capabilities of the 2023 Hyundai Tucson are also one of its biggest selling points. All the base variants feature an 8.0-inch navigation touchscreen display with Android Auto and Apple Car Play. But if you opt for a higher trim level like the Limited, SEL, N Line, and XRT, you get a larger 10.25-inch display depending on the powertrain.
The higher trim levels even offer dynamic voice recognition, and onboard navigation as standard. You can find the dual USB ports on all variants. But the second-row dual USB ports and the wireless charging (for supported devices) aren't available in the base SE variant. In addition, the Bluetooth hands-free phone and the steering wheel-mounted audio, cruise, and Bluetooth controls are also included as standard across all trims of the 2023 Hyundai Tucson.
The availability of the 2023 Hyundai Tucson with hybrid engines helps it achieve very good fuel economy. The hybrid powertrain is the most fuel-efficient with 38 mpg both on the city and highway with a total range of 521 miles between fuel stops. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain has a sufficient range of 33 miles on electric power alone with a 13.8 kWh battery which is equivalent to 80 MPGe.
The plug-in hybrid Tucson can drive up to 420 miles with a combined fuel economy of 35 combined mpg . Even though these aren't class-leading numbers for fuel efficiency, the 2023 Hyundai Tucson does give you an adequate range for any road trip.
All the hybrid variants of the 2023 Hyundai Tucson sends their power to all four wheels including the plug-in hybrid model. Each of these trim levels is equipped with HTRAC All Wheel Drive (AWD) as standard providing better grip and performance on the road.
However, the AWD system is an additional option of $1,500 in the gasoline variant with a slight drop in fuel efficiency and range. The FWD gasoline-powered Tucson offers a gas mileage of 25 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined with a range of 400 miles. Whereas, the AWD gasoline variant has a range of 358 miles and with 23 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. But the range difference of 42 miles may not be significant for most buyers considering the bump in performance and grip of the AWD drivetrain.
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Considering all the technology and safety features that this compact SUV provides, it's safe to say that the 2023 Hyundai Tucson is priced competitively. The base SE model starts at $26,900, the Blue hybrid model at $31,350, and goes up to $43,200 for the top-of-the-line plug-in hybrid Limited trim. But if you are on a budget, the SEL plug-in hybrid variant may be the best option for you at $35,400. It has all the tech features and practicality you need and compared to the price you pay, it is definitely a bargain.
Sajan is a writer who is very passionate about automobiles. He loves anything with an engine and wheels and is a huge fan of motorsports, especially F1 and Isle of Man TT.
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