Skip to content
Trimslate
SavedHelp

2021 Hyundai

Tucson AWD

Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L

Hyundai Tucson: best and worst years
2021 Hyundai Tucson AWD (photo 1 of 3)

Photo may show a different model year; you're viewing the 2021.

PhotoAlexander-93CC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Drivetrain
All-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic (S6)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Powertrain
GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel
RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

HP
181
Power to weight
0.053 hp/lb
Axle ratio
3.20
Cyl
4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Start-stop system
NoEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
26 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG City
21 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG Comb
23 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel $/yr
$2,700EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
CO₂
387 g/miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Eco Score
5/10EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Smog score
5/10
Elec. Range
0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
SmartWay certified
No

Dimensions & capacity

Length
176 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Width
73 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Height
65 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Wheelbase
105 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Curb Weight
3,439 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

⚠ This model year has a recall advising owners to park outside or away from structures (fire risk). Check with the manufacturer.

Overall crash rating
★★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
Standard
Lane-departure warning
Standard
Recalls
1
Owner complaints
67
Reported injuries
7

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • ENGINE34%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11%
  • SERVICE BRAKES9%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER9%
  • FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7%
  • POWER TRAIN7%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 97 total.

Hyundai Tucson: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • AQ23002Openopened Nov 17, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

70 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • May 21, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26-01-013H-2 TSB

    Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. This bulletin provides instructions for updating the Engine Control Module (ECM) to address this condition.

  • May 21, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26-01-013H-2 DN

    Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these vehicles may be releasing air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards.

  • May 19, 2026ENGINE9C2 DCS 260518

    Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. If present, this condition is expected to occur only within approximately the first 1-3 minutes after engine start, while the catalyst is reaching its normal operating temperature.

  • May 19, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9C2 060518

    Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. If present, this condition is expected to occur only within approximately the first 1-3 minutes after engine start, while the catalyst is reaching its normal operating temperature.

  • Apr 28, 2026UNKNOWN OR OTHER26-BD-002H TSB

    Certain Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. The paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been extended to 10 years/unlimited miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use and is valid for original and subsequent owners. The warranty extension does not apply to any vehicle that has ever been declared a total loss or sold for salvage by

  • Apr 28, 2026UNKNOWN OR OTHER26-BD-002H DN

    Some Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. The paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been extended to 10 years/unlimited miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use and is valid for original and subsequent owners.

  • Apr 14, 2026ENGINE9C2 OL

    Certain 2019 – 2020 model year Santa Fe, 2017 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2015 – 2019 model year Sonata, and 2018 – 2021 model year Tucson vehicles may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. Hyundai is conducting a service campaign to update the Engine Control Module (ECM) Software for vehicles equipped with the (2.4 GDI) Theta II engine to improve engine combustion and fuel trim adaptations.

  • Apr 10, 2026AIR BAGSDTN DL

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during

  • and 62 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
5 yr / 60k mi
Powertrain
10 yr / 100k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr
Maintenance
3 yr / 36k mi
EV battery
10 yr / 100k mi

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.