2026 Hyundai Tucson Trim Compare

Starting MSRP: ~$29,450 (FWD)

Don't let the word base fool you. The SE comes well-equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights, and Hyundai's full SmartSense safety suite — including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Seats are cloth, and the front seats are manually adjustable, but everything you actually need for a comfortable daily driver is here.  

The SE is ideal for budget-conscious shoppers who don't want to sacrifice modern tech or safety. It's also one of the fastest-selling trims in the lineup, averaging just 47 days on dealer lots nationwide according to Edmunds — which tells you something about the demand.  

Tucson SEL — The Best Value Compact SUV Trim

Starting MSRP: ~$30,800 (FWD)

For roughly $1,350 more than the SE, the SEL adds a surprisingly long list of upgrades: a power liftgate, 8-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and dual-zone automatic climate control. It's a noticeable jump in everyday convenience. 

Multiple independent reviewers — including Car and Driver and U.S. News— point to the SEL as the trim that hits the sweet spot between price and features. If you're commuting across the Valley every day and want comfort without overspending, this is where most shoppers land.  

Tucson XRT — Rugged Styling With Off-Road Inspired Features

Starting MSRP: ~$33,475 (FWD)

The XRT shows the adventurous side of this compact SUV. XRT trims stand apart with blacked-out exterior accents, 18-inch dark-finish wheels, roof cross rails, side steps, and H-Tex synthetic leather upholstery inside. It also comes with a standard trailer hitch and an increased towing capacity of 2,750 pounds — up from 2,000 on the previous model. 

New for 2026, the XRT gains Terrain Mode with settings for mud, snow, and sand, giving you a bit more confidence when the pavement ends. That said, it still rides on all-season tires rather than all-terrain rubber, so it's better suited for graded dirt roads and light trails than serious off-roading. Think of it as the Tucson for weekend warriors who want some extra capability without jumping to a body-on-frame SUV.  

Tucson SEL Premium — Upgraded Tech Without the Top-Tier Price

The SEL Premium is where the Tucson's cabin starts to feel genuinely upscale. You get a dual 12.3-inch display setup — one for the digital instrument cluster and one for infotainment — under a single glass panel that gives the dashboard a sleek, modern look. Add in built-in navigation, a panoramic sunroof, synthetic leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and an upgraded Highway Driving Assist system, and you're getting a lot of near-luxury content for mid-$30K money. Kelley Blue Book calls this trim "a particularly good value," and it's easy to see why. If features like a sunroof and a high-tech digital gauge cluster are on your must-have list, the SEL Premium gets you there without the leap to the Limited.  

The SEL Premium is where the Tucson's cabin starts to feel genuinely upscale. You get a dual 12.3-inch display setup — one for the digital instrument cluster and one for infotainment — under a single glass panel that gives the dashboard a sleek, modern look. Add in built-in navigation, a panoramic sunroof, synthetic leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and an upgraded Highway Driving Assist system, and you're getting a lot of near-luxury content for mid-$30K money. 

Kelley Blue Book calls this trim "a particularly good value," and it's easy to see why. If features like a sunroof and a high-tech digital gauge cluster are on your must-have list, the SEL Premium gets you there without the leap to the Limited.  

2026 Tucson Limited — The Full Premium Experience

Starting MSRP: ~$39,425 (FWD)

Starting with the ventilated seats we want for Phoenix summer travel, the Limited holds nothing back. Leather seating surfaces, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a Bose premium sound system, 360-degree camera, parking sensors, and Remote Smart Parking Assist all come standard. Rain-sensing wipers and a blind-spot view monitor round out a feature set that would feel at home in vehicles costing thousands more. 

Car and Driver noted that the Tucson delivers "a sense of luxury that is rare in this class," and the Limited is where that observation rings truest. For buyers who want the full package without crossing into luxury-brand territory, the Limited makes a compelling case.  

Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid Options

If fuel efficiency is a priority — and with Arizona gas prices, it might be — the Tucson Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid are worth a close look. Hybrid trims range from the Blue SE starting around $33,000 to the Limited near $41,000, and every hybrid comes with standard all-wheel drive, a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine paired with an electric motor producing 231 horsepower, and up to 38 mpg combined.

The Plug-In Hybrid takes it further with approximately 32 miles of all-electric range — enough to handle most daily commutes on battery alone — and a combined 261 horsepower. MotorTrend calls the hybrid their "favorite version" of the Tucson, praising its quicker acceleration and smooth driving manners. For shoppers who found the gas engine a little too laid-back, the hybrid answers that concern decisively.  

Which Tucson Trim Is Best for You?

Here's a quick way to think about it. If you want a well-equipped SUV at the lowest price, start with the SE. If you want the best balance of features and value, the SEL is the crowd favorite. Looking for a bolder look with some trail-ready attitude? The XRT has your name on it. Want premium tech and a panoramic sunroof without paying for the full Limited package? Go SEL Premium. And if you want everything Hyundai offers in a compact SUV, the Limited delivers.

No matter which trim you choose, every 2026 Tucson comes backed by one of the best warranty packages in the industry: 5 years/60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage, 10 years/100,000 miles on the powertrain, and 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance. That's coverage most competitors simply can't match, and it adds real peace of mind to an already award-winning SUV.  

Explore the 2026 Hyundai Tucson at Earnhardt Hyundai North Scottsdale

Ready to see which trim fits your life? Browse our current Tucson inventory below and reach out to our team with any questions. We're here to help you find the right Tucson — at the right price — right here in North Scottsdale. Schedule a test drive and get a closer look at your trim level choices.