Oh no, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson landed in last place! How can this be? The Hyundai Tucson is supposed to be an excellent economical SUV option. But it hasn’t been refreshed as recently as rivals. Does it deserve the last place? 

Is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson a good SUV? 

Yes, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson is a good SUV option. It received high scores from critics. But according to U.S. News, the Hyundai Tucson ranks in last place on their list of best compact SUVs for families. 

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is in first place, by the way. The rankings are based on positive automotive reviews, available family-friendly features, strong safety scores, reliability ratings, and passenger and cargo space. 

There are nine options on this list, and maybe getting ninth place is better than making the list at all. But let’s explore why the Tucson struggles against rivals when it comes to family-friendly features. 

What family-friendly features does the Hyundai Tucson have? 

Hyundai Tucson reliability is excellent. According to Consumer Reports, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson has a predicted reliability rating of four out of five, which is above average. The score is based on issues reported by owners on previous models. 

But it also has a low owner satisfaction score of two out of five. The acceleration, ride quality, and fuel economy brings its score down. The base engine, which is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder option, provides 161 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. 

That’s not exactly the best. But you can upgrade to the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine for 191 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 9.6 seconds.

That’s a good amount of power for driving around the city, but it may struggle to pass people on the highway. Also, it gets an EPA estimated 23 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The Toyota RAV4 gets up to 36 mpg on the highway. 

But on a positive note, it has a family-friendly infotainment system. It has a standard seven-inch touch screen, and you can upgrade to the eight-inch display. It comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is fast and easy to use. 

Plus, the Hyundai Tucson is safe. It received excellent scores from the IIHS and NHTSA. Standard safety features include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and driver drowsiness warning. 

What are potential Hyundai Tucson Problems? 

Possible problems for families in the 2021 Hyundai Tucson include its lack of space. It only has up to 61.9 cubic feet of cargo space, which is below average for its class. But the optional hands-free liftgate helps make loading cargo easier. 

While the interior is comfortable, it’s a bit snug in the backseat. Legroom for adults and taller teens may be limited. But it’s pretty easy to attach a child car seat. Also, the interior quality is fine but feels cheap compared to rivals. 

The Hyundai Tucson starts at about $23,700. That’s about $2,000 to $3,000 cheaper than rivals. If your family needs more space and a little more comfort and tech, consider other options. Otherwise, the Tucson is a reliable, safe option to consider.