Is the 2008 Hyundai Tucson a good car?
An honest AI verdict — reliability, common problems, and real cost to own.
C6.5/10
The 2008 Hyundai Tucson is a decent choice for budget-conscious buyers looking for an affordable SUV with basic features.
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Pros
- Affordable and good value for the price
- Comfortable ride quality
- Decent cargo space
Cons
- Mediocre fuel economy
- Lacks high-performance options
- Interior feels dated
Ownership at a glance
Fuel economy
18 mpg
Maintenance cost
$3,000/yr
Expected lifespan
200,000 miles
Common problems to watch for
- Transmission problems
- Faulty fuel level sensors
- Issues with the air conditioning system
CarsJudge exclusive data
Active recalls (1)
The 2008 Hyundai Tucson has 1 NHTSA recall on record. Most recent: Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch (campaign 13V113000). All recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
- Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch — Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2…
Real owner data from the CarsJudge fleet
1 2008 Hyundai Tucson owner tracks this exact car in CarsJudge.
Recall data: NHTSA. Owner costs & MPG: anonymized aggregates from CarsJudge users who track this vehicle. Updated 2026-07-05.
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This AI-generated assessment is general guidance only, not a substitute for a professional inspection. Always inspect a used vehicle before purchase.