The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is a pretty great SUV. Well, it’s mostly a pretty great SUV. It has one key area that’s sort of a letdown, at least if you crave a powerful engine in your vehicle. Here’s why Consumer Reports loves the Tucson – enough to rank it #2 out of compact sport utility vehicles – but to still say its engine is its “weak spot.” Here’s what Consumer Reports thinks of the Tucson overall.

What engine is in the 2022 Hyundai Tucson?

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that only puts out 187 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque. That’s pretty weak, especially for an SUV. Obviously, the Hyundai Tucson isn’t exactly a high-performance vehicle – it’s not like you’re going to take it to the track and push it to its limit (right?). Yet still, its acceleration isn’t great, and when you’re getting on the highway, you need something that will get you on there quickly and safely.

In fact, Consumer Reports writes that while “not a problem during the majority of everyday driving situations, its 0-60 mph time of 9.6 seconds is slower than most of its competitors.” It then compares the Tucson to the Forester and CR-V and points out that its fuel economy isn’t that great, at 26 mpg. However, Consumer Reports does like the hybrid version, which it says is “significantly quicker, quieter, and gets an excellent fuel economy of 35 mpg overall.” 

Overall, Consumer Reports loves the Tucson

Despite its weak engine, Consumer Reports really likes the 2022 Hyundai Tucson. In fact, it gives it an overall score of 89, putting it at #2 overall for compact SUVs, behind only the 2022 Subaru Forester. It says that the Tucson is very comfortable – even more so than its larger sibling the Santa Fe. Its cabin is “particularly well done, and a noticeable step up over the last Tucson, with quality materials, stylish controls, plenty of padded areas, and a slick, upscale appearance for the class.”

In addition, the new Tucson has updated technology, including an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and easy-to-use controls. It also has a suite of important safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. The Tucson comes standard with lane keeping assistance and automatic high beams as well. If you buy a Tucson made after July 2021, it will also have blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert, so make sure you pay attention to which Tucson you buy.

How much does the new Tucson cost?

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson price starts at $24,950 and goes up to $37,500. There are seven trim levels and three engine options within that range, according to Edmunds. The base model SE has 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a six-speaker sound system.

Overall, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson is a great SUV, despite its relatively weak engine. So should you buy it? Consumer Reports says yes, giving it its coveted Consumer Reports Recommended label. If you want something small, verastile, and comfortable, the 2022 Tucson is a great choice.