2012 Hyundai Tucson MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2012 Hyundai Tucson is rated 21 to 25 mpg combined across 6 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2012 Hyundai Tucson · 6 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

25MPG combined

22 city 29 highway

$2,700 a year to fuel

2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version costs $1,500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 30, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,700 to $3,200 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2011.

Fewer complaints than a typical Tucson year

The 2012 drew 27 owner complaints in its first three years, against 146 for a typical Tucson year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.

Years to avoid: 2016 and 2022. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Tucson year ranked The 2012 Tucson's recalls and problems

Every 2012 Tucson version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Tucson 2WD	25 mpg	22 / 29	$2,700
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Tucson 2WD	25 mpg	21 / 30	$2,700
2.4L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Tucson 4WD	23 mpg	20 / 27	$2,900
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Tucson 2WD	23 mpg	20 / 27	$2,900
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 5-speed manual EPA listing: Tucson 2WD	22 mpg	20 / 26	$3,050
2.4L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Tucson 4WD	21 mpg	19 / 25	$3,200

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,682	$223	$13,410
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,682	$223	$13,410
2.4L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic	$2,915	$243	$14,576
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$2,915	$243	$14,576
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 5-speed manual	$3,048	$254	$15,239
2.4L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed manual	$3,193	$266	$15,964

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Hyundai Tucson MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 25 to 29 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); highest in 2022. Hybrid: 38 mpg (2022 to 2026).

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2012: gas 25 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Hyundai Tucson best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	26	–
2011	25	–
2012	25	–
2013	25	–
2014	25	–
2015	25	–
2016	28	–
2017	28	–
2018	27	–
2019	26	–
2020	25	–
2021	25	–
2022	29	38
2023	28	38
2024	28	38
2025	28	38
2026	28	38

Every Tucson year's ratings in one table

How the 2012 Tucson compares

2012 compact SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2012 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Ford Escape Best: hybrid	32 mpg	25 mpg	$2,100
Honda CR-V Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
Chevrolet Equinox Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
GMC Terrain Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Hyundai Tucson This page Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Kia Sportage Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Jeep Compass Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Toyota RAV4 Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$1,000
Subaru Outback Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Volkswagen Tiguan Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$3,400
Subaru Forester Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,900

2012 Tucson recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 255 owner complaints for the 2012 Tucson.

Owners most often describe engine failure (74 complaints, 29%), then stalling (43). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 stars.

See the 2012 Tucson recalls and problems

Questions

Does 4WD lower the 2012 Hyundai Tucson's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, 4WD lowers the combined rating by 2 mpg: the 2.4L 4-cyl gets 25 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 23 with 4WD.

Does the 2012 Hyundai Tucson need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2012 Hyundai Tucson version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2012 Tucson's MPG compare with the 2011?

For 2012, the best gas version is rated 25 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.