Can the Hyundai Tucson Tow a Camper Trailer?
The 2021 Hyundai Tucson is getting great reviews as a budget sport utility vehicle. A little smaller and less powerful than many contenders in the SUV group, it offers a comfortable ride and a sleek infotainment system at a serious value.
But does the Hyundai Tucson have the chops to tow a camper trailer?
Let’s find out!
Hyundai Tucson Towing Capacity
The 2021 Hyundai Tucson is available in six trim levels and ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 pounds in towing capacity.
The first two tiers of this vehicle are the SE and the Value. They both have a 2.0-liter 161-hp inline 4-cylinder engine. The SE is the base model, and the Value is the Tucson’s second tier. Both can haul 1,500 pounds behind them.
The following four trims’ towing capacity–the SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate–is 2,000 pounds thanks to their 2.4-liter and 181-hp inline 4-cylinder engines.
Remember, though, that payload and towing capacity are essential when considering what you’ll haul with any vehicle.
A vehicle’s payload capacity is the maximum amount of weight you can safely add to the cargo area in addition to its curb or dry weight (weight when empty). The towing capacity is the maximum weight the vehicle can tow once you’ve factored in the vehicle’s weight PLUS cargo.
The SE and Value trims of the Hyundai Tucson have 1,118 pounds of payload capacity, while the four higher-tier Tuscons feature payload capacities of 1,292 pounds each. Bear in mind these payload limits when calculating the Hyundai Tuscon’s towing capabilities.
In summary, the limits of the 4-cylinder engines render all trim levels of the Hyundai Tuscon capable of towing some weight but not a lot.
Hyundai Tucson Specs & Features
Since we’ve just finished discussing the meaning of cargo weight, let’s look at the cargo space in the 2021 Hyundai Tucson.
The Tucson offers 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats when they’re upright. But when you lay them down, the cargo space expands to 61.9 cubic feet. Compared with other compact SUVs, that’s slightly below average.
The Tucson rates as a five-passenger vehicle, but reviewers say the rear seats are comfortable for two adults or three children on short trips.
The infotainment system of the Tucson is a highly-rated feature. The lower tier SE and Value trims come with a 7-inch touchscreen, and the four higher-level trips have an 8-inch screen. You’ll find all six displays mounted high on the dashboard and can easily access them with simple menu screens.
Audio and climate control knobs are still available so that you don’t have to touch the screen for these functions, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard in all trim levels.
Several safety features come standard with all trim levels of the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, including driver drowsiness monitoring, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. These advanced safety features are generally not available as standard options in most vehicles, so there’s a hat tip to Hyundai!
Other standard features include a rearview camera, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist, which keeps you in your lane until it’s safe to move out.
Concerning gas mileage, the EPA rates the 2021 Tucson with the 2.0-liter engine at 23 city and 28 highway mpg. Models with the 2.4-liter engine get 22 city and 28 highway miles per gallon. So the two don’t differ much, but both ratings are below average for compact SUVs.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration credits the 2021 Hyundai Tucson with an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, a compelling feature in any consumer’s book!
Can the Hyundai Tucson Tow a Camper Trailer?
Yes, the Hyundai Tucson can tow a camper trailer! However, there’s a caveat, and it’s a significant one. Any camper and/or trailer you pull with a Hyundai Tucson will have to be a small, lightweight unit.
This is a compact SUV with relatively low towing and payload capacities, so be aware of the camper’s weight as well as the gear and passenger weight.
But if you’re a single traveler, a very close couple, or a parent traveling with one child or a dog, you have more options.
What Kind of Campers Can Be Towed with the Hyundai Tucson?
The lightweight pop-up campers are one idea for Hyundai Tucson owners, but you must remain keenly aware of the camper weight. Some popup campers weigh a lot more than others, so keep that in mind when comparing their weight to the Tucson’s limited towing and payload capacities.
Some little Aliners weigh around 1,000 pounds, and those, too, could possibly be on your shopping list with the higher-tier Tucsons.
The smallest SylvanSport GO campers are a possible bet as well. Made of lightweight aluminum, the littlest GO weighs only 840 pounds and is great for small SUVs like the Tucson. Just keep the weight of your gear and any passengers in mind!
And finally, there are several tiny teardrops on the market which fall well within the safe towing range of the Hyundai Tucson. The tiny MyPod, for example, has a dry weight of only 630 lbs.
Pro Tip: Here are the best Micro Campers on the market.
Is the Hyundai Tucson a Good Car for Towing?
Towing capacity is not where the Hyundai Tucson shines, but if your towing needs are exceptionally lightweight, this compact SUV may work for you.
Just don’t make the mistake of thinking you can tow anything within the range of 1,500 to 2,000 pounds. Remember your payload capacity, which means you must also consider the weight of any gear, driver, and passengers you’ll carry and calculate what you’ll haul in total.
How Much Is a Hyundai Tucson?
The Hyundai Tucson offers excellent value for consumers in the market for a compact SUV.
The most basic trim (the SE) starts at $23,700–that’s compelling in its own right. The Value has a $25,150 starting price, and the price moves up with the features of the upper-tier trims.
The SEL starts at $26,100, and the Sport trim starts at $28,250. The two highest tiers of the Tucson, the Limited and the Ultimate, have starting prices of $29,400 and $32,050, respectively.
Is The Hyundai Tucson All-Wheel Drive?
Front-wheel drive is standard on all trims of the Hyundai Tucson, and all-wheel drive is optional for each. All-wheel-drive will increase the price tag and decrease gas mileage, but if this upgrade suits your lifestyle, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson has it.
If you choose the AWD option, it can improve your traction when towing. However, it’ll add extra weight, so keep that in mind.
Is the Hyundai Tucson for You?
The Hyundai Tuscon falls a bit short in terms of space and fuel efficiency, but it makes up for it in value and standard features. The Tucson is a decent value option for consumers seeking a compact SUV, depending on what they need and desire in a vehicle.
Towing Power: If you need a little more muscle, check out the 5 best compact trucks for towing.
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