2017 Hyundai Tucson SE

The 2017 Tucson is Hyundai's compact SUV, slotting between the subcompact Kona and the larger Santa Fe. It competes with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape in the crowded compact crossover segment. The Tucson handles confidently with responsive steering, though the base engine can feel a bit sluggish under hard acceleration. Inside, the cabin is well laid out with comfortable seats, but lower trims use harder plastics and there are some blind spots. Hyundai's warranty is a highlight, and owners report few major mechanical issues, though some mention electrical gremlins and minor annoyances. The SE trades the Limited's leather and extra power for cloth seats and the base 2.0L I4, which saves a meaningful chunk of money. With this trim you get the Downhill Brake Control and Hillstart Assist that come standard on the SE, useful extras if you take it on unpaved grades.