The 2016 Hyundai Tucson AWD with the 1.6L turbo engine gets 25 MPG combined. This number is a good balance for buyers who want all-weather security and crossover versatility more than ultimate gas savings. It’s a compact SUV designed for everyday life, not a hybrid, and the fuel economy reflects this.

City and highway performance

The EPA numbers are 24 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. The city rating shows the demands on the small turbo engine, as it often works harder in stop-and-go traffic. The highway number is better, helped by the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that keeps the engine in its best efficiency range at cruising speeds. While this isn’t the most exciting transmission, the fuel economy payoff is exceptional.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson AWD 1.6L 4-cyl to be $1,750. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and national average fuel prices. This is a good way to compare running costs to other vehicles. Real-world costs will depend on local fuel prices and how you drive.

Real-world expectations

The EPA provides standard testing, but real-world MPG can change a lot. How you drive, tire pressure, vehicle weight, and even outside temperature all matter. If you often use the all-wheel-drive system or accelerate hard, you’ll likely see lower numbers. If you accelerate smoothly and drive at consistent speeds, you should meet or slightly beat the EPA estimates. Aggressive driving, especially with a small turbocharged engine, will quickly lower fuel economy. Visit TUCSON MPG across all years for more information on real world user submissions.

How it compares

The 2016 Tucson’s fuel economy is in the middle of the compact SUV group. The front-wheel-drive Mazda CX-5 with its 2.0L engine gets around 29 MPG combined, drawing some buyers away from the Tucson. The Subaru Forester 2.5i with standard all-wheel drive gets around 28 MPG highway, giving similar all-weather ability with slightly better efficiency. The Jeep Cherokee with its 2.4L engine gets around 25 MPG combined in its 4×4 version. This is similar to the Tucson’s MPG, but often not enough for drivers to remain loyal when replacing the vehicle.

These comparisons matter to Tucson buyers because they are often comparing features, price, and running costs. Tucson buyers want a good overall package and have likely considered all Hyundai fuel economy data.

Tips to maximize efficiency

The 2016 Tucson does better when you accelerate gently. The turbocharged engine makes its torque at lower RPMs, and quick acceleration can make the turbocharger work too much, increasing fuel use.

Keep an eye on tire pressure. Low tires increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and wasting fuel. Check the sticker on the driver’s side door for the recommended tire pressure and keep your tires inflated properly.

Reduce extra weight in the vehicle. More weight adds to the load, hurting fuel economy, especially when accelerating. Take out anything you don’t need for daily driving.

Use cruise control on the highway when possible. Keeping a steady speed lowers changes in fuel use and can help you reach the EPA’s highway rating of 28 MPG. But, don’t use cruise control on hills, as frequent downshifts can cancel out fuel savings.

Think about the drive mode. The Tucson has an “Eco” mode that changes the throttle and transmission shift points to focus on fuel efficiency. This might slightly reduce responsiveness, but it can make a difference over time, mostly in city driving.