The Hyundai Tucson does 28.6 mpg combined (26.5 city, 31.6 highway), which works out to about $1,343 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Fuel cell does 50 mpg while 2.7L 6-cyl does 20 — a difference of $1,152 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Hyundai Tucson engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel cell | 49 / 51 | 2015–2017 | $768 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid | 38 / 38 | 2022–2026 | $1,011 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 25.2 / 32.6 | 2022–2026 | $1,362 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 25.7 / 31.3 | 2016–2018 | $1,386 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 22 / 30.3 | 2010–2013 | $1,518 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 21.2 / 26.9 | 2005–2021 | $1,620 | |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 18 / 24 | 2005–2009 | $1,920 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.112 |
| Fuel per year | $1,343 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,715 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$169 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,227 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 26.5 mpg | $1,449 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 31.6 mpg | $1,215 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.1 mpg (19%) | Typical for its type |
How the Tucson changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 31.5 / 35.5 | 2 | $1,164 | |
| 2025 | 31.5 / 35.5 | 2 | $1,164 | |
| 2024 | 31.5 / 35 | 2 | $1,164 | |
| 2023 | 31.5 / 35 | 2 | $1,164 | |
| 2022 | 32 / 35.5 | 2 | $1,146 | |
| 2021 | 23 / 28 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2020 | 23 / 28 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2019 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2018 | 25 / 30 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2017 | 37.5 / 41.5 | 2 | $985 | |
| 2016 | 37.5 / 41.5 | 2 | $985 | |
| 2015 | 36 / 39.5 | 2 | $1,024 | |
| 2014 | 23 / 28 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2013 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2012 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2011 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2010 | 23 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2009 | 19 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2008 | 18.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2007 | 18.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2006 | 18.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2005 | 18.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Hyundai Tucson get?
28.6 mpg combined on average — 26.5 in the city and 31.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2005–2026.
How much does a Hyundai Tucson cost in fuel per year?
About $1,343 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,715 over five years, or 0.112 dollars a mile.
Which Tucson engine is the most economical?
The Fuel cell at 50 mpg, against 20 for the 2.7L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,152 a year.
Is the Tucson good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.