Based fully in the Motor Metropolis, Carl Anthony is the Automobile Lead at How-to-Geek and the host of AutoVision Recordsdata Radio, a podcast that focuses on future automobile technology, including next-technology ADAS improvements, electrification, and tool-outlined automobiles.
A broadcaster by nature, he has appeared on in trend podcasts and radio shows, including Wrench Nation, Vehicles Yeah, The Automobile Doctor, and Digital PR Defined. Carls frequent appearances on MotorMouth Radio (WHPC 90.3 FM) over the final decade delight in made him a relied on resource for automobile followers, while his web web page hosting of the AutoSens Insights sequence continues to spotlight the latest automobile applied sciences.
Prior roles consist of serving as a original automobile birth and seller coach for Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. Carl was a senior product specialist on Chevy’s National Truck Workforce, an experiential advertising program that travels america, and a respected member of the FCA (now Stellantis) nationwide auto elaborate group, the set up aside he served because the resident educated for consumers on the Dodge Charger and Challenger.
Before the auto industry, Carl was a disc jockey, producer, and programmer at several in trend Midwest radio stations, including KIWR, KEZO, KJAN, and KELO-FM. He is a graduate of Iowa Western Neighborhood Faculty in Council Bluffs, the set up aside he twin-majored in the Digital Media stories program, incomes an Affiliate of Applied Sciences degree in both radio and television broadcasting.
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson stays a heavy hitter in the compact SUV section, providing a ethical combination of trend, technology, and practicality. With a lineup that involves gasoline, hybrid, and lunge-in hybrid powertrains, it covers a famous vary of needs for seemingly investors, from atmosphere friendly day-to-day riding to more rugged weekend use.
If youre deplorable-attempting the Tucson in opposition to automobiles like the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V, essentially the most easy set up aside of dwelling to originate up is by navigating the more than a few trim ranges. Right here’s a breakdown of the 2026 Hyundai Tucson to enable you delight in selected which one belongs to your driveway. All starting up MSRPs listed below consist of the $1,600 destination price.
- Nasty Trim Engine
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2.5L Smartstream I4 ICE
- Nasty Trim Transmission
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8-bustle computerized
- Nasty Trim Drivetrain
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Entrance-Wheel Pressure
One engine for all gasoline devices
All-wheel drive is non-mandatory
Every 2026 Tucson gasoline model relies on the identical powertrain. No topic whether or no longer you to settle the entry-level SE or the high-tier Diminutive, youll gain a 2.5-liter Smartstream GDI + MPI four-cylinder under the hood.
The Smartstream engine produces 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft. of torque, paired with an eight-bustle computerized transmission. While entrance-wheel drive is long-established, Hyundais HTRAC all-wheel drive scheme is available for an further $1,500.
While you suggest on towing a puny utility trailer, every 2026 Tucson comes with the pre-wiring mandatory from the manufacturing facility.
Mannequin
Max Towing (w/ trailer brakes)
Key Utility Feature
Gasoline (2.5L)
2,750 lbs.
220-lbs. roof rail potential
Hybrid / PHEV
2,000 lbs.
Fashioned AWD
2026 Hyundai Tucson SE
Beginning MSRP: $31,050
The SE is the entry point into the Tucson family. While unhealthy model incessantly implies a unadorned-bones inner, Hyundai packs a good amount of tech into the SE to retain it aggressive.
Key Aspects:
- 12.3-trot Touchscreen: Aspects wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as long-established.
- Safety Suite: Involves a forward collision-avoidance scheme with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane retaining attend, and blind position collision warning.
- LED Illumination: Fashioned computerized LED headlights and LED daylight operating lights.
- 17-trot Alloy Wheels: Fashioned for the gasoline SE model.
2026 Hyundai Tucson SEL
Beginning MSRP: $32,400
For an expansion of investors, the SEL is basically the most easy center ground in the Tucson lineup. It keeps the associated rate trace realistic while including the creature comforts most of us settle on in a day-to-day driver.
Key Aspects (provides to SE):
- Fingers-Free Smooth Energy Liftgate: Opens mechanically and aspects adjustable peak settings.
- Convenience Tech: Involves a proximity key with push-button originate up and a 15W wi-fi smartphone charger.
- Heated Entrance Seats: Fashioned for both the driver and passenger.
- 18-trot Alloy Wheels: Upgraded from the unhealthy 17-trot wheels.
Amazon Basics Trunk Organizer
- Cloth
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Oxford
- Special Feature
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Foldable
This 13.5-gallon trunk organizer aspects compartments to teach up and retailer groceries, sports activities equipment, emergency offers, and other day-to-day necessities.
2026 Hyundai Tucson SEL Top class
Beginning MSRP: $35,400
In elaborate for you the tech stumbled on in the Diminutive trim but dont essentially want leather-primarily based seats, the SEL Top class is a gargantuan option.
Key Aspects (provides to SEL):
- 12.3-trot Digital Instrument Cluster: Replaces oldschool gauges with a tranquil, customizable show camouflage.
- Evolved Safety: Provides Freeway Using Lend a hand 1 and navigation-primarily based Smooth Cruise Withhold an eye fixed on.
- H-Tex Seating: Hyundai’s synthetic leather-primarily based seating surfaces are durable and easy to clean.
- Energy Sunroof: Good shrimp touch of luxurious and enjoyable for summer season days.
Why the mid-cycle refresh is the candy position for original-automobile investors
Affords upgraded tech and styling with fewer original-model bugs.
2026 Hyundai Tucson XRT
Beginning MSRP: $35,075
The XRT is the Tucsons outdoorsy trim. While it doesn’t transform the Tucson into a rock crawler, it provides a more aggressive heavenly and functional exterior bits, including bridge-kind roof rails with a 220-lbs. load potential.
Key Aspects (provides to SEL):
- Contemporary XRT Styling: Matte-black decrease fascias, a melancholy-chrome grille, and critical aspect cladding.
- XRT Interior: H-Tex seating with queer XRT debossing on the entrance seatbacks.
- Fashioned Tow Hitch: While an accent on other trims, the tow hitch is long-established equipment on the XRT.
2026 Hyundai Tucson Diminutive
Beginning MSRP: $41,025
At the high of the mountain sits the Diminutive. Right here is the set up aside Hyundai turns the compact SUV into something that feels famous nearer to a top rate luxurious automobile.
Key Aspects (provides to SEL Top class):
- Bose Audio: An eight-speaker scheme with a digital eight-channel amplifier.
- Remote Smooth Parking Lend a hand: Switch out and in of stressful spots the utilization of correct the important thing fob.
- Parking Aids: Surround behold show screen and blind-position behold show screen fetch navigating tight areas easy.
- Top class Consolation: Provides leather-primarily based-trimmed seats, ventilated entrance seats, and a panoramic sunroof.
Two hybrid devices
Competitive starting up MSRPS
For 2026, the Hybrid and Toddle-in Hybrid (PHEV) devices swap the gasoline engine for a 1.6-liter Turbo-GDI engine and a six-bustle computerized transmission. As my How-To Geek colleague Adam Gray identified, feedback from Tucson Hybrid owners has been obvious total. Right here’s a rapid snapshot of what Hyundai supplies for 2026:
- Tucson Hybrid: Produces 231 total scheme horsepower and begins at $34,050 for the Blue SE trim. It involves original tech like Hyundai Pay for parking and gas payments.
- Tucson PHEV: Steps as a lot as 268 total scheme horsepower and begins at $41,925. It involves a 120V charger to retain the battery topped off at home.
Which trim ought to aloof you to settle
While you are sticking to a budget, the SE is surprisingly well-equipped with its 12.3-trot touchscreen and long-established safety tech. Nonetheless, most drivers will gain the SEL or SEL Top class supplies essentially the most easy return on investment for day-to-day comfort and day after day usability.
While you recurrently navigate a busy downtown set up aside, the Limiteds digital camera systems and much-off parking tech is also advisable. While you settle on a more rugged be taught about, the XRT offers that heavenly along with long-established towing equipment.
At final, if your day-to-day commute involves an expansion of terminate-and-drag web page visitors, delight in in mind the Hybrid devices, which give a enhance in horsepower and efficiency.
