7 Problems with the 2020 Hyundai Tucson You Should Know (and Love It Anyway)

The 2020 Hyundai Tucson has its fair share of issues, like any car. But here's the thing—while we point out some of the problems this SUV might give you, it’s still one of those vehicles people come back to again and again. You know why? Because even with its quirks, it offers a solid ride, decent pricing, and some pretty cool features.

Before you think I'm here to slam on the Tucson, let me be clear: it's a pretty great compact SUV overall. But since you clicked here for the problems, buckle up—we're about to go for a ride.

Engine Performance: Not Exactly "Speedy Gonzales"

The 2020 Hyundai Tucson comes with two engine options—a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine or a 2.4-liter engine. The problem here? They’re both kinda underwhelming.

The 2.0-liter produces a modest 161 horsepower, while the 2.4-liter bumps that up to 181. On paper, that seems fine for daily commuting, but get this—you’re not exactly going to win any street races with that power under the hood.

What’s the issue?

• Sluggish acceleration: It’s like asking your grandma to get out of a rocking chair—she’ll do it but not with any urgency. Pressing the gas pedal might leave you wondering if the Tucson missed the memo about being an SUV.

• Underpowered for highway driving: Sure, it’s fine at lower speeds but get it on the highway and it starts to huff and puff just trying to keep up. Merging? More like praying for a wide-open lane.

Alex Collantes' opinion:

"I didn’t buy the Tucson expecting it to be fast," says Alex Collantes, who has owned his Tucson for a year. "But sometimes I wish it had just a bit more oomph, especially when I need to pass someone on the highway. It’s like, come on buddy, let’s go!"

Possible fix?

Well... short of slapping a turbo on it, not much you can do. You’re just going to have to learn patience, my friend.

Transmission Woes: A Slight Jerking Problem

Hyundai’s 6-speed automatic transmission in the Tucson isn’t going to win any awards for smoothness either. It gets the job done—let’s give credit where it’s due—but it can be a little jerky at times.

Why is it a problem?

• Noticeable shifts: Especially at lower speeds, you might feel the transmission shifting between gears in a way that isn’t exactly silky smooth. It’s like your Tucson forgot how to gently change gears and is now doing the cha-cha instead.

• Downshifting issues: When you need to quickly slow down and then speed up again, the Tucson’s transmission seems to get a little confused. It's like when you’re walking downstairs and skip a step—it just doesn’t feel right.

Can you fix it?

Nope, that’s just how it is. You could try taking it easy on the acceleration and hope the jerking doesn’t get too annoying.

Fuel Economy: Could Be Better

When you buy a compact SUV, you probably expect a decent fuel economy, right? Well, the 2020 Hyundai Tucson doesn’t exactly hit it out of the park in this department.

The EPA rating for the 2.0-liter engine is 23 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. The 2.4-liter engine doesn’t improve much either—coming in at 22 mpg city and 28 highway. Those numbers aren’t awful, but for a compact SUV in 2020, you’d probably expect better.

What's wrong?

• Competitors do better: When you compare it to other vehicles in its class like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, the Tucson’s fuel efficiency falls short.

• Smaller fuel tank: The Tucson only holds 16.4 gallons of fuel, so between the mediocre mpg and the smaller tank, you’ll find yourself at the pump more often than you’d like.

How can you improve it?

Aside from changing your driving habits or putting your Tucson on a diet, there’s not much you can do about this one either. But hey, more trips to the gas station mean more opportunities to buy snacks, right?

Infotainment System: Glitches Galore

The 2020 Hyundai Tucson comes with a solid list of infotainment features—a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. Sounds great, right? Well, it is, when it works.

What’s the deal?

• Touchscreen freezing: Sometimes the screen decides it’s had enough and just freezes. No amount of button-mashing will bring it back. You just have to wait it out.

• Slow response times: Ever tried loading a webpage on dial-up internet? Using the Tucson’s infotainment system can sometimes feel like that. The lag between pressing a button and something actually happening can be infuriating.

• Bluetooth connectivity issues: Pairing your phone is easy enough, but don’t be surprised if you suddenly lose connection mid-song or call.

What’s the solution?

System reboots. Just like with your computer, a good old restart can fix some of these glitches. Hyundai has also issued a few software updates, so make sure yours is up to date.

Rear Visibility: Peek-a-boo, I Can’t See You

One of the more annoying issues with the 2020 Hyundai Tucson is the rear visibility. The design of the rear pillars and the sloping roofline combine to create some fairly large blind spots.

What’s the issue?

• Blind spots: Changing lanes or backing out of a parking spot can feel like you’re playing a dangerous game of hide and seek. You’ll find yourself relying on the rearview camera more often than you’d like.

• Small rear window: The rear window is kind of narrow which limits your view. You might end up craning your neck or doing that weird “squinting while driving” thing just to get a better look.

How to deal with it?

Make sure you’re using your mirrors and rearview camera effectively. And for goodness' sake, double-check before backing up.

Steering: Where’s the Feedback?

For a vehicle that’s supposed to provide a pleasant driving experience, the 2020 Tucson’s steering leaves something to be desired. It’s not that the steering is bad, per se—it’s just kinda, well, numb.

What’s the problem?

• Lack of feedback: Whether you’re going slow or fast, the steering feels disconnected from the road. You won’t really get a sense of what the wheels are doing underneath you, which can make the driving experience feel a little detached.

• Overly light at low speeds: Parking lots are a breeze, but it almost feels like you’re steering a toy car at low speeds because it’s too easy. Once you hit highway speeds, it firms up a bit, but still not as much as you’d like.

Is there a fix?

Not really—this is more of a design choice than a problem you can repair. You’ll just have to get used to the Tucson’s steering quirks.

Interior Materials: A Little Too "Plastic Fantastic"

Let’s talk about the inside of the Tucson. Hyundai clearly tried to make this SUV affordable, and that’s reflected in some of the materials they chose for the interior.

What’s the issue?

• Hard plastics: There’s a lot of plastic going on inside the Tucson, and not the nice soft-touch kind either. We’re talking hard, scratchy plastic that looks and feels cheap.

• Wear and tear: Over time, those plastics are going to show signs of wear, especially on high-touch areas like the door handles and center console.

Can you fix this?

Well, short of completely redoing the interior, no. But you could always slap on some aftermarket covers or accessories to hide the worst of it.

Conclusion: It’s Not Perfect, But It’s Pretty Great Anyway

So there you have it—seven of the most common problems with the 2020 Hyundai Tucson. But here’s the thing: despite all of these issues, people still love this SUV. Why? Because it’s affordable, reliable, and comes with a great warranty (10-year/100,000-mile powertrain, anyone?).

No car is perfect, and the Tucson isn’t trying to be. But for what it is—a comfortable, spacious, and feature-packed compact SUV—it’s still a solid choice for a lot of drivers.

And as Alex Collantes says, "Yeah, it’s got its quirks, but it’s also dependable, and I know it’s going to get me from point A to point B without too much hassle. I can live with that."

If you’re considering buying a 2020 Hyundai Tucson, just go in knowing that it’s not without its flaws. But then again, what car isn’t?