“I love my Hyundai Tucson! It's a big car with a roomy interior, nice handling and a modern design that commands attention.”
2016 Hyundai Tucson: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2016 Hyundai Tucson is a full redesign and the first year of its third generation. Its biggest change is an all-new, larger body and cabin, joined by new powertrains and updated safety and touchscreen technology.
About the 2016 Hyundai Tucson
3rd generation (TL), first year of the redesign before the 2019 refresh.
Hyundai positioned the 2016 Tucson as a compact SUV that blended everyday practicality with a more premium feel than many mainstream rivals. The pitch centered on a quieter cabin, more passenger and cargo space, easy city maneuvering, strong safety technology, and upscale touches such as available LED lighting, a hands-free liftgate, and larger infotainment screen. In plain terms, it was meant to feel more polished and more feature-rich than the old Tucson without growing into a bulky SUV.
The SE is the straightforward version, with a 2.0-liter engine, 6-speed automatic, 5-inch touchscreen, and rearview camera. Eco introduces the turbo powertrain with added convenience features, while Sport adds heated seats, blind-spot monitoring, and a hands-free liftgate. Limited is the upscale trim, with leather seating, an 8-inch navigation touchscreen, premium audio, and LED lighting.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
SE uses a revised 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a conventional 6-speed automatic. Eco, Sport, and Limited use a new 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Eco and Sport join the lineup, while GLS is dropped.
Styling
The fully redesigned exterior has a new front-end look, cleaner body lines, and 19-inch wheels on upper trims.
Safety
A rearview camera becomes standard. Sport and Limited add blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assistance, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Tech
A 5-inch touchscreen becomes standard across the lineup. Limited makes its 8-inch navigation system and premium audio standard.
Structural
The longer, wider body uses more high-strength steel and provides more passenger room and about 5 additional cubic feet of cargo space. Revised suspension and steering aim to make the Tucson quieter and smoother.
2016 Hyundai Tucson specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.6 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 6-Spd Shiftronic | Auto, 7-Spd EcoShift | Auto, 7-Spd EcoShift | Auto, 7-Spd EcoShift |
| Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 23 mpg | 26 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 31 mpg | 33 mpg | 30 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Horsepower | 164 hp | 175 hp | 175 hp | 175 hp |
| Torque | 151 lb-ft | 195 lb-ft | 195 lb-ft | 195 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 61.9 cu-ft | 61.9 cu-ft | 61.9 cu-ft | 61.9 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 38.2 in | 38.2 in | 38.2 in | 38.2 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | ||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Fog Lights | ||||
| HID Headlights | ||||
| Heated Windshield | ||||
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ||||
| LED Headlights | ||||
| LED Tail Lights | ||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||
| Roof Rails | ||||
| Bluetooth | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Subwoofer | ||||
| USB Ports | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2016 Hyundai Tucson redesigned?
Yes. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson is the first model year of the third-generation design, with a longer and wider body, a redesigned cabin, more cargo room, and a stiffer structure.
What is the main difference between the 2016 Tucson SE and the turbo trims?
The SE has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and conventional 6-speed automatic. Eco, Sport, and Limited have a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, which changes gears more like an automated manual transmission.
Which trims were added or dropped for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
Eco and Sport were added for 2016, and GLS was dropped. Eco is the mileage-focused turbo trim, while Sport combines the turbo engine with heated seats, blind-spot monitoring, keyless start, and a hands-free liftgate.
What safety features changed on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
A rearview camera became standard for 2016. Sport and Limited also have blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assistance, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson roomier than the 2015 model?
Yes. The redesigned 2016 Tucson has a longer and wider body, more passenger space, and about 5 additional cubic feet of cargo room compared with the 2015 model.
2016 Hyundai Tucson Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson.
4.1
2016 Hyundai Tucson
(324 reviews)
“Loved the vehicle overall it's a great point A to point B vehicle..quite sporty but still has an elegant look and not old looking.”
“Live the handling of the car. Sport and eco mode are fun different versions of driving. Engine is simple and laid out systematically.”