2018 Hyundai Tucson SEL

The 2018 Tucson is Hyundai's compact crossover, slotting between the subcompact Kona and the midsize Santa Fe with a roomy cabin and a long warranty. It competes with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape, offering a lower starting price than most for similar equipment. The Tucson handles confidently with responsive steering, though the base engine can feel sluggish when merging onto highways. The cabin is spacious for the class, with comfortable seats and a straightforward dashboard, but lower trims use hard plastics. Standard features include a rearview camera and a touchscreen infotainment system, with available blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning. The SEL skips the Sport's extra power and the Limited's leather, but it keeps the useful blind-spot monitoring and dual-zone climate control for less money. Its 2.0L I4 makes 164 horsepower and works through a six-speed automatic, which is adequate around town but needs a heavy foot for highway passing. With four-wheel drive, the SEL handles snow and gravel better than front-drive rivals, though you'll pay for it at the pump at 23 mpg combined.