10 Things You Need To Know About The 2016 Hyundai Tucson

Compact crossovers like the 2016 Hyundai Tucson find themselves facing increasingly heavy competition as automakers cram as much luxury, style, and efficiency as possible into these popular family vehicles. The redesigned Hyundai Tucson brings more refinement to the table for the Korean brand's strong-selling hauler, along with new drivetrain options, snappier styling, and a little more size where it counts. The Tucson also now benefits from a number of premium features that simply weren't available with the model it replaces. Let's take a look at 10 things you need to know about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson.

1. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson Offers New, More Dramatic Styling

Although last year's Tucson wasn't hard on the eyes, there's no question that the 2016 Hyundai Tucson's revised body work makes a better first impression. Featuring a broader grille that's more in keeping with current corporate styling cues, matched with upscale lighting on higher trim levels and more sculpted door panels and fenders, the Hyundai Tucson projects a stronger character than it did the year before while simultaneously fitting in better in the Hyundai showroom. The availability of LED lighting also helps to highlight the premium feel that the Tucson is going for in courting well-heeled entry-level buyers.

Photo by Hyundai

2. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson Is Bigger All Around

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson's spiffier looks also work to conceal a very slight increase in size. The biggest dimensional upgrade for the Hyundai Tucson can be found when measuring its length, which has grown by three inches for the current model year. The crossover's redesign has also added just over an inch to the model's width, an aspect of the model that is downplayed by the teardrop headlights that curve upwards into its front fenders. The larger size of the Tucson hasn't negatively impacted its maneuverability, nor does it feel noticeably larger from behind the wheel, but the tape doesn't lie: this is a bigger Hyundai crossover than what we had before.

Photo by Hyundai

3. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson Offers More Generous Interior Room

The true benefits of the 2016 Hyundai Tucson's plus-size platform are more easily appreciated from within the passenger cabin. For starters, the amount of storage room between the rear seat and the hatch has jumped from 25.7 cubic feet in 2015 to 31 cubic feet in the new model, making the Hyundai Tucson that much more practical. Fold down the second row and you'll see a total of almost 62 cubic feet in total available for hauling larger items - closer to the top-of-class Honda CR-V and Ford Escape, but still about 9 cubes back. The back row of seating reclines for additional comfort, although you won't find a slider to move it fore and aft.

4. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson Features Two Engine Choices

The base 2016 Hyundai Tucson shows a familiar face when you open the hood: last year's 2.0-liter, 164 horsepower four-cylinder engine. Also capable of generating 151 lb-ft of torque, the unit offers up 23-mpg in stop and go driving and 31-mpg on the highway. A new turbocharged mill takes the place of 2015's 2.4-liter mill, in this case a smaller, yet more torquey 1.6-liter four-cylinder that pushes out 175 horses and 195 lb-ft of twist. The unit has also been tuned to improve on the entry-level engine's fuel economy, posting 26-mpg around town and 33-mpg on the highway.

5. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson Adds A Fresh Transmission To The Mix

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson features a pair of transmissions, one to go with each of its available engines. The 2.0-liter motor in the Hyundai Tucson is paired with the same six-speed automatic transmission that it offered the year before, but the turbocharged 1.6-liter introduces an all-new seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox into the mix. Unlike the torque-converter auto found with the base Tucson, the dual-clutch unit delivers ultra-quick shifting as well as improved fuel efficiency by way of its plentiful ratios, and in normal driving it's almost indistinguishable from the automatic gearboxes most drivers are used to.

6. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson Offers Optional All-Wheel Drive

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson is at its most frugal - both in terms of purchase price and fuel consumption - when found in front-wheel drive form. However, the Hyundai Tucson also offers an all-wheel drive system as an option for those who seek additional traction when dealing with inclement weather conditions. Not only does the Tucson's AWD improve road-holding in the wet and the snow, but it also shuttles torque to the rear wheels and makes use of the inside brake when cornering to help the crossover pivot through a turn with greater agility. It's also possible to lock the torque split to 50/50 between the front and rear axles, which is useful when doing some light off-roading.

7. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson Comes In Four Trim Levels

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson starts out in bargain-oriented SE trim, which includes power windows and door locks, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, air conditioning, 17-inch wheels, cruise control, and satellite radio. Stepping up to the Eco model swaps out the base engine for the turbocharged unit while also installing roof rails, a power driver's seat, fog lights and LED running lights. The Hyundai Tucson Sport offers heated seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry and ignition (including a hands-free tailgate), and 19-inch wheels, while the Tucson Limited provides dual automatic climate control, power adjustments for both front positions, LED headlights and tail lights, a touchscreen navigation system, upgraded audio, and leather upholstery.

8. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson Introduces A Passive Power Tailgate

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson is the first crossover from the brand to feature a 'passive' hands-free tailgate system. Unlike other hands-free tailgates that require you to wave your foot under the back bumper, the Hyundai Tucson automatically opens its rear hatch if you simply stand in proximity to it with the key in your pocket. This is particularly useful for people who live in winter climates, as they won't have to worry about snow covering an under-bumper sensor and blocking hands-free access to the hatch area - or be concerned with balancing on one foot while their arms are full of groceries.

9. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson Doesn't Skimp On Safety

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson offers a respectable amount of standard safety gear, including dual forward airbags, side impact airbags up front, side curtain airbags that extend along the entire length of the vehicle's passenger compartment, and electronic stability control and traction control. As soon as you hit the Hyundai Tucson Sport you are gifted with a blind spot monitoring system free of charge, while the Tucson Limited makes an automated braking system paired with a forward collision warning feature and a lane departure warning system available as part of an options package.

10. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson Is More Expensive, But Only Just

10. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson Is More Expensive, But Only Just The 2016 Hyundai Tucson starts at an MSRP of $22,700, which is roughly $1,000 more than it cost to get behind the wheel of the crossover the year before. There are only a few extra features that come with the base Hyundai Tucson for 2016 compared to 2015, so it's not necessarily a question of paying more for greater content. Adding all-wheel drive - optional across the board - will cost your $1,400 no matter which trim level you select, while the most expensive version of the Tucson (the Limited) starts at $29,900.