The 2023 Hyundai Tucson is a two-row compact crossover that can be ordered in SE, SEL, XRT, N Line, and Limited trim levels. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 187 hp and 178 lb.-ft. of torque makes up the powertrain with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is the default, but all-wheel drive is available. The EPA’s official fuel economy listings have the FWD Tucsons achieving an estimated 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway; with AWD they return 23 city/28 highway. Although it’s not considered a robust hauler, the ’23 Tucson can still tow a respectable 2,000 pounds when it’s equipped with trailer brakes.
The SE gets LED headlights and daytime running lights, front and rear skid plates, keyless entry, a pair of front-row USB ports, a 12-volt power outlet, a 60/40-split fold-down rear seatback, and a dual-level cargo floor. The SEL adds heated front seats, a wireless phone charger, LED taillights, heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, roof rails, a hands-free liftgate, proximity entry, class-exclusive Digital Key (allows your smartphone to act as the vehicle’s key fob), push-button start, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, two second-row USB ports, and rear privacy glass. The optional Convenience Package will ramp up the amenities list with a sunroof, synthetic-leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and LED and ambient interior lighting. The XRT bundles the contents of the Convenience Package (minus the LED interior lighting and sunroof) along with black exterior accents, voice-controlled HVAC, a HomeLink universal garage door opener, and expanded ambient interior lighting.
The N Line gets the LED interior lighting and takes on some trim-specific exterior attributes: a unique grille, front fender badging, a twin-tip exhaust, and a distinct rear spoiler. It also comes with combination leather-and-cloth upholstery, an N-Line steering wheel and shift knob, alloy sport pedals and scuff plates, a black headliner, and a panoramic sunroof. The Limited lacks the N Line’s distinctive athletic attributes, but it adds projector-type LED headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, ventilated front seats, position memory for the driver’s seat, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel with paddle shifters.
The Tucson is supplied with all of the latest driver-aid technologies courtesy of the brand’s SmartSense safety suite, with some new additions for 2023. The SE and SEL have forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection, as well as blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, driver attention warning, lane keeping assist, and lane following assist. The SEL with the Convenience Package will come with enhanced rear occupant alert, which is standard in the remaining trims. The loaded Limited tops the range with a blind-spot view monitor, highway driving assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, reverse parking collision-avoidance assist, front and rear parking sensors, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and a surround-view camera.
There’s no shortage of cutting-edge tech in the ’23 Tucson. The SE gets an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming. The SEL also has SiriusXM satellite radio, while the XRT receives a 10.25-inch touchscreen with dynamic voice recognition and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The N Line and Limited are both issued a premium Bose sound system.
