Trims and Powertrain

The five-passenger 2022 Tucson comes in three trims: SE, SEL, and Limited. They all have an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 187 horsepower and 178 lb.-ft. of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, and HTRAC all-wheel-drive (AWD) is available on all trims. For FWD Tucsons, the EPA-estimated fuel economy is 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Adding AWD changes those figures to 24 city/29 highway.

SE

TThe starter Tucson, the SE, comes with some sophisticated features such as automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights, high beam assist, an electronic parking brake, a 4.2-inch driver information display in the instrument cluster, remote keyless entry with alarm, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Its interior has stain-resistant upholstery, a 60/40-split folding rear seatback, and a cargo-area floor with two levels.

Hyundai Smart Sense, the proprietary suite of advanced driver aid technologies, has been expanded for model year 2022. That means this base trim gets forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane following assist, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert. For infotainment, it has an 8-inch color touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an audio system with AM/FM radio, two USB ports, and Bluetooth for hands-free phone and audio streaming.

SEL

The SEL builds up the amenities with heated front seats, LED turn-signal indicators in the exterior mirrors, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, proximity key, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, heated exterior mirrors, more USB ports, and a 3-year subscription to BlueLink service (emergency help and vehicle diagnostics). This trim’s version of Smart Sense is improved with cyclist and junction turning detection (part of the forward collision-avoidance assist feature), rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, and safe exit warning. SiriusXM satellite radio is added to the infotainment setup.

A couple of optional equipment packages will further trick out the Tucson. The SEL Premium Package upgrades the sound system to the high-end Bose brand and improves the daytime running lights with LED bulbs. This package also includes leather seats (ventilated in the front row) and a dark chrome grille. The SEL Convenience Package increases the size of the digital gauge to 10.25 inches and adds dual-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charge pad, a power sunroof that tilts and slides, a hands-free power liftgate, and 19-inch alloy wheels. Hyundai’s class-exclusive Digital Key is also in this package. It lets drivers use an Android smartphone app to control select vehicle functions (locking/unlocking and starting the engine).

Limited

The contents of the SEL Convenience and Premium packages become standard in the top-tier Limited, which also gets a heated steering wheel, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated rear outboard seats, ambient interior lighting with 64 customizable colors, a panoramic moonroof, and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. On the outside, there are upgraded front and rear fascias and projector-style LED headlights. The infotainment system moves to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation but has to go back to conventional plug-in smartphone integration because the bigger screen isn’t compatible with the wireless version.

The Limited’s active safety technology is boosted with ultrasonic rear occupant alert and gets front and rear parking sensors, highway driving assist, navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with curve control, parking collision avoidance assist, as well as Remote Smart Park Assist, which will autonomously get the Tucson into or out of a tight parking space even with nobody sitting in the driver’s seat. Surround-view and blind-spot view monitors are standard, too.