2019 Hyundai Tucson Base
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $26,095–$33,930 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2019 Hyundai Tucson Base is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.7/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, while Performance at 6.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.7/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.4/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.6/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.1/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $26,095–$33,930, 24 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Tucson Base sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Its value score of 8.3/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2019 Hyundai Tucson Base will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2019 Hyundai Tucson Base ranks #564 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 77% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $26,095 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 28%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$10,940 ($2,188/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Smart-money pick: the 2016 Hyundai Tucson Base scores 7.6/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 7.7 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.0/10 | $31,621 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $30,700 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.0/10 | $29,779 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.9/10 | $28,858 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.9/10 | $27,937 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.9/10 | $27,016 | Read review → |
| 2019 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $26,095 | |
| 2018 | 7.7/10 | $25,174 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.6/10 | $24,253 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.6/10 | $23,332 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.5/10 | $22,411 | Read review → |
We rate the 2019 Hyundai Tucson Base's reliability 7.7/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 7.7/10 overall, ranking #564 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 77% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2019 Hyundai Tucson Base starts at $26,095 and ranges up to $33,930 across trims (MSRP when new). At 24 MPG, expect roughly $2,188/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Tucson Base years we've rated are 2015 (7.5/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (8.0/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
Once a month: which brands moved up or down our reliability rankings, new recalls worth knowing, and the smartest-money model years. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.