Safety may not be sexy, but it sure is popular. Hyundai is the latest brand to make several key safety features standard on its compact SUV; the automaker revised its Tucson for 2019, and the new model features a whole lot more safety and convenience features for a modest price bump. The 2019 Tucson is on sale now starting at $24,245 (all prices include destination). That's $715 higher than the model-year 2018 base price.
For 2019, the lineup starts at the SE grade and features newly standard convenience equipment, like a 7-inch multimedia display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, as well as many newly standard safety features. Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist and a driver attention warning system are standard on all trims; they were only available on higher variants last year.
2018 Hyundai Tucson Specs & Reviews
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Standard in the SE and next-higher Value trim levels is the carryover 164-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine; it's mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The previously available turbocharged 1.6-liter and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic combination are gone for 2019, replaced by a 181-hp, naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a regular six-speed automatic transmission. It's standard on the SEL, Sport and Limited trim levels.
Step up to the Value trim for more standard safety and comfort features like blind spot warning, keyless access, the Blue Link telematics system and an eight-way power driver's seat. Value models start at $25,695, and SEL, Sport and Limited trims slot above that. The lineup tops out with the Ultimate trim, which starts at $32,595 with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available on any trim level for an extra $1,400.
Other compact SUV competitors have also upped their safety game. The 2019 Nissan Rogue starts at $25,795 and includes even more standard safety features, like lane departure warning with braking intervention, high-beam assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.
For 2019, Toyota announced the redesigned RAV4 will include the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 package as standard on all models. It includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, automatic high beams and a new road sign assist system that identifies road signs and can warn the driver with alerts depending on sign type. Prices are not yet out for the 2019 RAV4, however.
Another main rival needs to catch up. The 2018 Honda CR-V offers a host of similar safety features, but many of them are not standard or available on the base model. The 2018 CR-V starts at $25,245.
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