carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $26,831–$30,877 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2016 Hyundai Tucson S at 7.6/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.5/10, while Performance at 6.7/10 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. We score reliability at 7.7/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The 8.5/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance at 6.7/10 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. Tech rates a reasonable 7.1/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $26,831–$30,877, 21 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Tucson S sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The 7.8/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2016 Hyundai Tucson S is a solid, well-rounded suv that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 2016 Hyundai Tucson S ranks #737 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 70% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $26,831 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 26%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Tucson S model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.0/10 | $36,364 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $35,305 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.0/10 | $34,245 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.9/10 | $33,186 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $32,127 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.9/10 | $31,068 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $30,009 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.7/10 | $28,950 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.6/10 | $27,890 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $26,831 | |
| 2015 | 7.5/10 | $25,772 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.