It’s Time to Find the Perfect Used Hyundai Tucson

There is certainly no shortage of compact crossover SUVs on the market these days, but they’re far from all being the same. With many of them being fairly underwhelming and unimpressive, it’s nice to see that, year after year, the Hyundai Tucson has been a stunning and exhilarating option. If you’ve been looking for a used Hyundai Tucson for sale, then we’re here to help with a remarkable selection of options for you to choose from. We pride ourselves on being able to help every customer find the perfect vehicle, which includes taking you through a number of options and pairing you up with the ideal crossover model you’ve been looking for.

The Hyundai Tucson first hit the road for the 2005 model year, which means you’ll find a lot of them out there when looking at used models. Knowing which model years have the right features to meet your needs can make your car search a lot easier. One of our favourite options out there is the third-generation Tucson, which ran from the 2016 through 2021 model years. These vehicles are just old enough to help you find a great price—especially since there’s a newer generation—but recent enough that you’ll get impressive performance and fantastic features. Let’s take a closer look at this generation to see what it has to offer from year to year.

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson

For the 2016 model year, Hyundai launched an all-new, redesigned third generation for the Tucson, which kept everything that worked great about this terrific crossover and made numerous improvements. From the outside, the 2016 Tucson looks stunning, with a gorgeous design that immediately catches the eye without being overdone or excessive. Inside is much the same, with a sophisticated and comfortable cabin that includes terrific features designed to make every drive an absolute joy.

Two engines are available for the 2016 Tucson; keep that in mind as you look at different used models since you’ll find both of them. Models labeled “2.0” feature a 2.0L engine that offers 164 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, providing solid performance with a six-speed automatic transmission that makes them a lot of fun to drive. These are terrific, but if you want something sportier, then look for a “1.6T” model, which features a 1.6L turbocharged engine that delivers 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. This is our favourite pick between the two options, but either engine will ensure you have a good time on the road.

One key thing to note is that the 2.0 models can have either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the 1.6T comes standard with all-wheel drive. This is very important if you’re interested in a crossover with all-wheel drive, which makes it a lot easier to deal with rough winter weather and slushy roads. The 1.6T models also come with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, providing you with a more direct and rewarding drive overall. We tend to prefer the 1.6T models for these reasons, though a standard 2.0 Tucson is still a great pick at an excellent price.

You’ll find numerous trim levels for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, including the Premium, Luxury, Limited, and Ultimate. The top two trims are only available with the 1.6L engine. Looking at high-end trims, you’ll find a number of upgrades, such as leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and an eight-speaker sound system. Keep these details in mind as you look at different used models to make sure you get what you want.

The 2017 Hyundai Tucson

Although the updates for 2017 are not as drastic as they were for the redesigned 2016 model, the second year for this generation still featured some details worth remembering as you shop for your next SUV. These updates are all generally found inside, where models with cloth upholstery use a nicer fabric that helps repel stains and resist odours—that can be very important as you look at used Tucson models. Air vents for the rear seats became standard for 2017, plus the infotainment system for higher trims was updated to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, programs still in use today. Performance and most other features remain the same from the previous year.

The 2018 Hyundai Tucson

There’s not much to note about the 2018 Tucson compared to the previous years, so you can shop for these models quite interchangeably. This model came out just before a mid-generation refresh by Hyundai, so the brand didn’t make many changes to it. The good thing about this is that you can look at 2018 and 2017 models without worrying about missing out on anything and choose the one that works best for you.

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson is noteworthy as it features a major update and facelift—though not a redesign—for this small crossover. Exterior updates for 2019 version of this Hyundai SUV include a new grille, a refreshed front hood and tailgate, updated lighting, and more. The interior was similarly refreshed with a facelift that includes a redesigned dashboard and more updates to provide you with a comfortable and stylish ride. You’ll notice these differences immediately while looking at used models if you see one of these alongside a model from 2018 or earlier.

While the standard 2.0L engine remained unchanged with this refresh, the available 1.6L turbocharged powertrain was replaced with a 2.4L option that delivers 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque and comes paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. You’ll find both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive for the standard engine, but the 2.4L comes with standard all-wheel drive. This update also brought a number of tech improvements, including a standard 18 cm touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the base Essential trim. Advanced driver assistance technology like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist is standard on the Preferred trim and optional on the Essential—keep that in mind as you look at used options.

The 2020 Hyundai Tucson

Following its update and refresh for 2019, changes for the 2020 model are pretty minimal, which means you can choose freely between these model years without fear of missing out on anything. Certain options, like a panoramic sunroof and leather seating, are easier to find because they’re now available on the Preferred trim. In contrast, they were only offered on higher trim levels for the prior model year. Otherwise, what you’ll find in the 2020 Tucson is quite similar to what was previously available.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson

Finally, we close out the third generation of the Hyundai Tucson with the 2021 model year, which has essentially no changes from 2020. This isn’t much of a surprise since it’s the end of this generation, and Hyundai was saving any big changes for the launch of an all-new fourth generation for 2022. Again, this works to your advantage since you can shop for 2021 through 2019 models without concerns about missing features or options unique to one model year compared to the other. Having more freedom makes shopping for a used Tucson even easier.

Which Used Tucson Has Everything You Need?

As you can see, your choice of model year can have a big impact on many of the features you will find in a used Hyundai Tucson. In particular, the mid-generation update for the 2019 model year is a big one to have in mind as you consider the different options available to you. The different engine lineup after this update can directly impact your driving experience, so it’s worth taking some time to decide which one better meets your needs. Ultimately, every Hyundai Tucson is a great option, though we suggest looking for a model with all-wheel drive—heated seats are also worth looking for to make driving in winter more comfortable. No matter what you want in your next used SUV, here at River City Hyundai, we’re ready to help you find it. Contact us today to get started!