What is the best year for a Hyundai Tucson?

Avoid 2016 and 2017 — those model years logged 1,605 and 1,065 complaints respectively during the Theta II engine recall era. The 2021 Tucson stands out as the cleanest mature year at 67 complaints and a 10/10 NHTSA safety score. The 2022 new-generation launch had 356 complaints, settling to 116 in 2023 and 81 in 2024. For the current generation, 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Hyundai Tucson insurance cost?

Tucson insurance averages about $1,975/year — roughly $165/month. One of the more affordable rates in the compact class.

Is the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The Tucson and RAV4 are nearly identical in maintenance cost — $426 versus $429, a difference of $3 annually. Both carry a reliability score of 8. The RAV4 has a slight edge in major repair probability (10% vs. 12%); the two match on repair frequency (26% each). Effectively a tie on ownership cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Tucson?

Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the class average. The 2016-2017 engine recall history is the biggest risk factor for used buyers in that range — warranty coverage is worth taking seriously for those years. For 2021 and newer, the risk profile is much more moderate.

Is the Nissan Rogue expensive to maintain?

The Rogue averages $467/year in maintenance — $54 below the compact segment average of $521. But repair frequency of 33% is slightly above the class average of 30%, and major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% norm. Lower cost per service visit, but slightly more frequent unscheduled visits than the class average.

What is the best year for a Nissan Rogue?

The Rogue's complaint history has been persistently elevated. The 2020 model (147 complaints) stands out as the cleanest year of the second generation. The third-generation launch in 2023 brought 630 complaints before settling to 162 in 2024 and 158 in 2025. Avoid 2013-2018, which consistently logged 430-612 complaints per year. For the current generation, 2024 or 2025 is the best used pick.

How much does Nissan Rogue insurance cost?

Rogue insurance averages around $1,984/year — about $165/month. Competitive for the compact class.

Is the Nissan Rogue or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $38/year cheaper — $429 versus $467 for the Rogue — and has a lower repair frequency (26% vs. 33%). Both carry the same reliability score. The RAV4 holds a moderate edge on total ownership cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Nissan Rogue?

The Rogue's persistently elevated complaint history across 2013-2018 and a major repair probability slightly above the class average make extended warranty worth considering for used models from that period. For 2024 and newer, risk is more moderate — though the historical reliability track record warrants more caution than class leaders like the CR-V or RAV4.

Hyundai Tucson vs Nissan Rogue

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Hyundai Tucson to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Nissan Rogue if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Hyundai Tucson	Nissan Rogue
Annual maintenance	$426winner	$467
5-year total cost	$2,130winner	$2,335
Reliability score	8 / 10	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	12%	12%
Cargo space	80.3 cu ftwinner	74.1 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$31,300	$30,800winner
Best years to buy	2020	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Hyundai Tucson	Nissan Rogue
RepairPal score	8 / 10	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	297.7	156.8winner
Years to avoid	2011, 2012, 2016	2017, 2018, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	76.3%winner	71.7%
Value retained · 5 yr	57.7%winner	55.1%
Value retained · 7 yr	47.3%winner	45%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Hyundai Tucson	Nissan Rogue
Engine	38.3%	16.2%winner
Electrical	6.0%winner	7.7%
ADAS	10.5%winner	16.2%
Brakes	8.9%	6.4%winner
Steering	0.9%winner	1.8%
Fuel system	2.8%winner	3.4%
Tires/Wheels	0.8%winner	1.0%
Glass/Windows	1.4%winner	4.0%
Airbags	1.4%winner	8.9%
Lighting	1.0%	—winner
Seatbelt	—winner	1.3%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Hyundai Tucson	Nissan Rogue
Avg annual premium	$1,975winner	$1,984

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Hyundai Tucson

$426/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Nissan Rogue

$467/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Tucson averages $426/year in maintenance — $95 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% segment average. On balance, it's a below-average cost ownership with a near-average repair risk profile.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →