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Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Used Hyundai Tucson III: the buying guide

SUV · 2015–2020 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

✓ 22 sources cited · updated on 13 October 2026

Good choice, check first
Reliability
4.5/5
Estimated monthly cost
€423/month
Indicative prices
€14,090 – €17,990

4 known faults

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 1 of 5

Hyundai Tucson III, front three-quarter view

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Verdict

Good choice, check first

Family SUV rated 5 Euro NCAP stars in 2015, with a 513-litre boot. Caradisiac finds the petrol versions generally beyond reproach, whereas the diesels, especially the pre-facelift 1.7 CRDi paired with the DCT7 dual-clutch gearbox, have suffered from clutch failures, sometimes very early. Two safety recalls (ABS module, brake pump) also concern Tucsons of this period: check them using the serial number.

Reliability
4.5/5
Indicative prices
€14,090 – €17,990
Monthly cost
€423
Euro NCAP
5/5

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 1.6 GDi 132.

  • 1.6 GDi 132

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 132 hp · 6.3 L/100 km · 147 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1

    Entry-level naturally aspirated petrol, 22,750 € at launch in 2015; Caradisiac finds the petrol versions generally beyond reproach.

  • 1.6 T-GDi 177 DCT7

    Petrol · Automatic · 177 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Turbocharged petrol paired with the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DCT-7), the most powerful petrol version.

  • 1.7 CRDi 115

    Diesel · Manual · 115 hp · Crit'Air 2

    Entry-level diesel before the facelift. Several sources report clutch and particulate filter problems.

  • 1.7 CRDi 141 DCT7

    Diesel · Automatic · 141 hp · Crit'Air 2

    141 hp diesel with the DCT-7 dual-clutch gearbox, offered before the 2018 facelift. See the fault reported on this gearbox.

  • 1.6 CRDi 136 DCT7

    Diesel · Automatic · 136 hp · Crit'Air 2

    Diesel replacing the 1.7 CRDi after the 2018 facelift, with DCT-7 gearbox or four-wheel drive. Caradisiac says it is 'not free of all reproach'.

  • 1.6 CRDi 136 48V DCT7

    Hybrid · Automatic · 136 hp · Crit'Air 1

    1.6 CRDi diesel with 48 V mild hybrid system (2020 listing), DCT-7 gearbox.

  • 2.0 CRDi 185 48V BVA8

    Hybrid · Automatic · 185 hp · Crit'Air 1

    2.0 diesel with 48 V mild hybrid system, HTRAC four-wheel drive and eight-speed automatic gearbox, tested in 2018.

Market prices

€14,090 – €17,990

Indicative range: 2016 to 2020, yearly medians of 169 online listings collected by AutoUncle (years with at least 3 listings).

Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.

Known faults

DCT7 gearbox clutch and actuators

Severity 2/3 · Costly

The DCT-7 dual-clutch gearbox is cited as a weak point: Fiches-auto reports juddering, unavailable gears and slipping, Caradisiac reports premature actuator failures and, on the 1.7 CRDi, worn or broken clutches sometimes before 20,000 km. Oscar Racing puts the repair at 2,000 to 4,000 € on the 141 hp version. The sources are mainly owner testimonies, so the exact frequency remains uncertain.

Versions
1.7 CRDi 141 DCT7, 1.6 CRDi 136 DCT7, 1.6 T-GDi 177 DCT7
Onset
not documented
Repair
€2,000 to €4,000

Clogged particulate filter (1.7 CRDi)

Severity 1/3 · Annoying

The particulate filter of the 1.7 CRDi comes up in reviews reported by Caradisiac and in reliability guides, especially in urban use.

Versions
1.7 CRDi 115, 1.7 CRDi 141 DCT7
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

ABS module that can cause a short circuit (recall)

Manufacturer recall

A European alert (RAPEX) concerns Tucson TLe vehicles built between February 2017 and August 2020: an internal fault in the ABS modules can, over time, cause a short circuit and a risk of fire in the engine bay. The official advice is to contact the dealer; check that the recall has been carried out.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.6 GDi 132, 1.6 T-GDi 177 DCT7, 1.7 CRDi 115, 1.7 CRDi 141 DCT7, 1.6 CRDi 136 DCT7, 1.6 CRDi 136 48V DCT7, 2.0 CRDi 185 48V BVA8
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Blocked tandem pump pre-filter: braking (recall)

Manufacturer recall

A European alert (RAPEX) concerns Tucsons built between 23 October 2018 and 27 October 2020: fibres from the tandem pump belt can block its pre-filter, which can stiffen the brake pedal and prevent normal braking. The official advice is to contact the dealer.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.6 T-GDi 177 DCT7, 1.6 CRDi 136 DCT7, 1.6 CRDi 136 48V DCT7, 2.0 CRDi 185 48V BVA8
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

All faults by version and mileage →

Manufacturer recalls

  • 11 August 2023 — Tandem pump pre-filter that can be blocked by belt fibres: risk of a stiffening brake pedal (Tucsons built from 23/10/2018 to 27/10/2020). Recall notice (new tab)

Real monthly cost

Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated

Monthly cost by item
Fuel or electricity€155
Insurance€69
Maintenance€29
Depreciation€170
Total per month€423

⚠ Estimates to treat with caution

  • NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
  • Maintenance: budget of a closely related model.
  • Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
Fuel (petrol)€155

1.6 GDi 132 version: combined consumption of 6.3 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.

6.3 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €155

Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.

Insurance€69

Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.

Maintenance€29

Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.

Depreciation€170

Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.

Inspection checklist

Things to check

  • Ask a Hyundai dealer, using the serial number, whether the ABS and brake pump (tandem pump) recalls have been carried out.
  • DCT7 gearbox: test drive when cold and then warm, looking for juddering when pulling away, missing gears, absent reverse or slipping.
  • Diesel: check there is no engine or particulate filter warning light and check the service history.
  • Ask for the service invoices and whether the clutch or gearbox has already been replaced.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Have the manufacturer recalls (ABS module, tandem pump) been carried out at Hyundai?
  • Has the clutch or DCT7 gearbox been replaced, and was the manufacturer's warranty used?
  • Do you have all the vehicle's service invoices?

Test-drive tip: read the fault codes

A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.

See OBD2 scanners on Amazon → (new tab)Partner link

Electric or hybrid equivalent

No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost

Alternatives

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Nissan Qashqai

II · 2014–2021

Buy with care
Price
€9,000 – €18,490
Reliability
3/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Renault Kadjar

I · 2015–2022

Buy with care
Price
€9,240 – €17,544
Reliability
3/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Toyota RAV4

IV · 2012–2018

Good choice, check first
Price
€9,500 – €19,600
Reliability
4.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Škoda Karoq

I · since 2017

Good choice, check first
Price
€16,000 – €32,700
Reliability
4/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Before you buy: check and equip

Check the history

Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Hyundai Tucson III (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

Insure the car

Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.

Frequently asked questions

What Euro NCAP rating does the Hyundai Tucson III have?

Five stars in 2015, with 86% for adult protection and 85% for child protection according to the Euro NCAP page. Adult head protection was judged only adequate (Auto Express).

Which engine should I choose for a used Tucson III?

Caradisiac finds the petrol versions generally beyond reproach, whereas the diesels have had problems that were sometimes serious, especially the pre-facelift 1.7 CRDi.

What is the boot capacity of the Tucson III?

513 litres according to Caradisiac, compared with 465 previously.

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