What is the best year for a Hyundai Tucson?

Avoid 2016 and 2017 — those model years logged 1,605 and 1,065 complaints respectively during the Theta II engine recall era. The 2021 Tucson stands out as the cleanest mature year at 67 complaints and a 10/10 NHTSA safety score. The 2022 new-generation launch had 356 complaints, settling to 116 in 2023 and 81 in 2024. For the current generation, 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Hyundai Tucson insurance cost?

Tucson insurance averages about $1,975/year — roughly $165/month. One of the more affordable rates in the compact class.

Is the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The Tucson and RAV4 are nearly identical in maintenance cost — $426 versus $429, a difference of $3 annually. Both carry a reliability score of 8. The RAV4 has a slight edge in major repair probability (10% vs. 12%); the two match on repair frequency (26% each). Effectively a tie on ownership cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Tucson?

Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the class average. The 2016-2017 engine recall history is the biggest risk factor for used buyers in that range — warranty coverage is worth taking seriously for those years. For 2021 and newer, the risk profile is much more moderate.

Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota Highlander

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Hyundai Tucson to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Toyota Highlander if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Hyundai Tucson	Toyota Highlander
Annual maintenance	$426winner	$489
5-year total cost	$2,130winner	$2,445
Reliability score	8 / 10	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	12%winner	13%
Cargo space	80.3 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$31,300winner	$45,870
Best years to buy	2020	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Hyundai Tucson	Toyota Highlander
RepairPal score	8 / 10	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	284.9	0winner
Years to avoid	2011, 2012, 2016	None identified
Value retained · 3 yr	76.3%	83.6%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	57.7%	63.7%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	47.3%	51.5%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Hyundai Tucson	Toyota Highlander
Engine	38.3%	—winner
Electrical	6.0%	—winner
ADAS	10.5%	—winner
Brakes	8.9%	—winner
Steering	0.9%	—winner
Fuel system	2.8%	—winner
Tires/Wheels	0.8%	—winner
Glass/Windows	1.4%	—winner
Airbags	1.4%	—winner
Lighting	1.0%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Hyundai Tucson	Toyota Highlander
Avg annual premium	$1,975winner	$2,401

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Hyundai Tucson

$426/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Toyota Highlander

$489/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Tucson averages $426/year in maintenance — $95 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% segment average. On balance, it's a below-average cost ownership with a near-average repair risk profile.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →