The Hyundai Tucson managed a top five sales result in 2025, no mean feat given the furious competition from established players and newcomers alike in the medium SUV segment. The Tucson recipe hasn’t changed much since it replaced the ix35 in 2015 – ‘Goldilocks’ size (not too big or small), sleek exterior styling, practical design, and fair value for money.

For 2026, Hyundai has added new tech, paint colours and wheels, while trimming the asking price across the range. But will that be sufficient to see it through the year when so many Chinese brands are putting the squeeze on margins and inflating consumer expectations? 

How much does the 2026 Hyundai Tucson cost?

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson model lineup remains largely unchanged. The base model Tucson, which runs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and six-speed transmission with front-wheel drive, kicks things off at $38,100 before on-road costs. Just above that is the Tucson Hybrid, which has a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid drivetrain and retails for $42,600.

The Elite versions of the abovementioned models cost $43,100 and $48,100 respectively, while the Tucson Elite hybrid can be optioned with an N Line pack that pushes its price up to $50,600. Choosing an all-wheel drive version of the Elite hybrid nudges the price to $50,600, and if you add the N Line pack to that you’re looking at $53,100.

In Premium trim, the Tucson comes standard with AWD and costs $58,100 or $59,600 when optioned with the N Line pack.

All prices have been reduced by $1000-$2500 compared to the equivalent 2025 models.

The Tucson is up against more than 30 potential competitors, everything from the Chery Tiggo 7 which starts at just $27,990 before on-roads, to the category-leading Toyota RAV4 (from $45,990) and pure electric vehicles such as the Skoda Elroq ($47,990) and BYD Sealion 7 ($54,990). 

What is the 2026 Hyundai Tucson like inside?

Considering prospective buyers won’t get any change from $40,000 once they’ve paid on-road costs for the base model 2026 Hyundai Tucson, decent interior presentation should be non-negotiable. For the most part that’s the case, with cloth seat upholstery and hard plastic on the sides of centre console the only indications it’s entry-level trim.

The cabin’s commonsense layout and cohesive appearance is typical Hyundai, and while the traditional gear selector perhaps ages it a little, the expansive driver information/central touchscreen unit plants it firmly in 2026. The steering wheel in the Tucson is shiny faux leather but it’s a little tacky to the touch, especially in hot weather, which detracts from the intended premium feel.

Rear passengers enjoy two USB-C ports, two air-conditioning vents, and a speaker and drink holder in each door.

The Tucson gets a par score for cargo space, with more than a metre between the wheel arches but less than a metre from the load lip to the second-row seats, which are fixed. Hyundai lists total cargo volume at 539 to 582 litres depending on the model.

In addition to the base model Tucson, we drove an Elite fitted with the optional N Line pack. A digital gear shifter on the steering column and revised centre console certainly help elevate the Elite’s appearance. The N Line pack adds some nice-to-haves, including special 19-inch wheels and suede upholstery, although the overall effect on the interior is quite subtle considering the financial outlay (see specifics on the N Line pack below).