2020 Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is a bargain, even when compared to rival compact SUVs for sale in the USA. But what makes it so appealing is the excellent value that goes hand-in-hand with the low price tag. Getting behind the wheel of the Hyundai Tucson SE will cost you a low $23,350 - it comes standard with the infotainment and safety systems. Adding a feature here and there, the Value trim remains true to name at $24,800, while the SEL asks for $25,750 to get its improved creature comforts. If you want to ride in style on the 19-inch alloys of the Tucson Sport, you will need to invest $27,900, while the leather-appointed Limited starts just shy of the $30k mark at $29,050. The Ultimate trim barely breaks that mark to bring you its host of high-tech safety and comfort features, requiring a budget of $31,700. If you want to get behind the wheel of any of these models in their AWD configurations, you will need to set aside an additional $1,400. These are MSRP prices and do not include tax, registration, licensing, or Hyundai's $1,095 handling fee.

The Tucson is well-mannered on the road, to the point of being almost boring. But the SUV wasn't designed to excite; it was designed as an affordable means to get around town while offering superior levels of utility, with just the right amount of focus on luxury and convenience.

To this end, the suspension is well-equipped to handle all but the harshest of bumps with ease, and even those won't jar you too much. Every other aspect of the driving experience seems equally well-designed, if a little uninspired.

The steering is light but picks up weight well as the car accelerates. This makes it perfectly suited for navigating packed parking lots while being equally capable on the highway. It will never have the heft of a sports vehicle, though, and we're okay with that. It definitely suits the purposes of a town car. The brakes are just as effective, with progressive power output as the pedal is applied without ever feeling overeager. Stopping power is on par with the segment average.

Around corners, the Tucson handles remarkably well, leaning ever so slightly as you take a corner a bit faster than you might have intended. This informs you that you are pushing the SUV's limits, but it never gives the sense that it will lose control. Overall, the Hyundai strikes an almost perfect balance between sporty handling and cruising that manages to impress us, but it won't thrill us.

"Why fix what ain't broke?" seems to be Hyundai's motto for 2020. Almost nothing changes other than a few aesthetic options and, for the most part, we are happy about that. The engine choices, either a 161-hp or 181-hp four-cylinder, are a bit disappointing when rivals like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are making the jump to turbocharged inline-fours, but this doesn't hurt the Tucson's appeal as much as you might think.

The small SUV comes packed with features, including a comprehensive safety suite that includes forward collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist as standard, while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are options. The infotainment is up to scratch, too, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto equipped at even the base level. Combine this with a well-built cabin and plenty of upscale materials, and you have a recipe for success.

It's true that Hyundai's SUV will never be as athletic on the road as its rivals, but its good manners and superb ride comfort do a great job of making up for it. When you add in that it has more than enough cargo room for most daily applications, even if the CR-V offers more than ten cubic feet extra, the Tucson certainly has a lot of appeal to town drivers who want to keep their families safe. Yes, it will never lead the segment with its lackluster powertrain, but it should definitely be on your shortlist - and the Hyundai Tucson's low starting price doesn't hurt its appeal either.

Even the top-tier Ultimate trim is surprisingly affordable at $31,700, but the $10k price hike from the base model might be asking a bit much of those on a budget. We suggest skipping over the Value trim, despite its tempting name, in favor of the SEL. The mid-tier trim is only $2,000 more than the base model and comes with the stronger 2.4-liter inline-four as well as blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The dual-zone climate control and rear air conditioning vents are certainly hard to pass up for those long trips on summer days, and the SiriusXM and HD Radio upgrades to the infotainment suite are just the frosting on the top of the cake. There isn't much need to opt for the optional all-wheel-drive, as it makes little difference to daily performance and slightly lowers fuel economy, so unless you live in a snow-prone state, we'd steer clear.

The Santa Fe is basically a plus-size clone of the Tucson. It also comes equipped with a naturally aspirated in-line four as the standard engine, developing 185 hp and 178 lb-ft, but it does offer a turbo option that produces a much more desirable 235 hp and 260 lb-ft. Inside the Santa Fe supplies almost identical passenger space, which is surprising considering how much smaller the Tucson is. The larger SUV also narrowly wins out on the cargo capacity from, offering 35.9 cubic feet to the Tucson's 31.9 cubic feet. With similar quality interiors, safety suites, and infotainment packages, the two Hyundai SUVs both have a lot to offer. The deciding factors here will be whether or not you really need the slightly larger cargo capacity, and whether or not you can afford the higher price tag for the bigger Santa Fe, which asks for $6k more when comparing top-tier trims.

The Kia Sportage enters the fray with its cousin's optional 2.4-liter inline-four engine as its standard powertrain, delivering 181 hp and 175 lb-ft to your choice of front or all four wheels. But Kia doesn't settle for the uninspiring naturally aspirated engine, offering a turbocharged option that develops a more impressive 240 hp and 260 lb-ft. Also, true to its nameplate, the Sportage presents buyers with a much more athletic exterior that helps to advertise its better driving experience. However, Kia's SUV does make a few sacrifices, such as lower cargo capacity (30.7 cubic feet) and less comprehensive safety and infotainment suites. Smartphone integration is not standard on the Sportage, although it can be equipped to the base model via packages, and it doesn't get forward collision avoidance as standard. Both SUVs share similar price tags and fuel economy, so it comes down to where your priorities lie. The Sportage offers a fun driving experience but sacrifices practicality and security, while the Tucson will get you safe and comfortable, but it won't excite you no matter how hard it tries.