The Hyundai Tucson was engineered to be more fuel efficient than its predecessor and chief competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The 2010 Tucson accomplishes this while being 3.3 inches longer and one inch wider than its predecessor and having a longer wheelbase than Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Subaru Forester

Hyundai Tucson features the Theta II 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine. The Theta II engine delivers about the same amount of power and acceleration as its predecessor's V6 engine with 20 percent better fuel economy than the old four-cylinder engine. In fact, the Tucson is more fuel-efficient than Honda CRV, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape four-cylinder engines boasting an impressive estimated 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway fuel economy rating with the available six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® and front wheel drive. Tucson features low rolling resistance silica tires to contribute to the 31 mpg highway. With AWD (All-Wheel Drive), Tucson delivers an estimated 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway exceeding the primary competitors AWD versions including Subaru Forester.

The Theta II is rated at 176 horsepower (26 percent more than its predecessor) and 168 lb.-ft. of torque. This high-tech, all-aluminum, 16-valve engine features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on both camshafts and a Variable Induction System (VIS) for better engine breathing. In the green states, the 2010 Hyundai Tucson is certified as a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) which means it is as clean as a hybrid.

For the 2011 model year, Hyundai will introduce a high-mileage Blue model. The Blue model will be powered by a Theta II 2.0-liter engine that delivers better power and fuel economy than the 2009 Hyundai Tucson Beta four-cylinder engine. The 2.0-liter Theta-II has shed over 22 pounds from its previous iteration. For better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, the 2.0-liter Theta-II also gets Dual CVVT (intake and exhaust camshaft phaser) while Theta-I was equipped with only CVVT on the intake camshaft. Major improvements also begin with the application of a two-stage Variable Intake System (VIS) which enables switching between long and short intake manifold resulting in an across-the-board performance increase. To reduce internal friction, engineers have applied a Diamond-Like-Coating (DLC) to the top surface of the valve tappets resulting in improved fuel efficiency. Engineers also expended considerable time and effort optimizing the oil pressure to achieve an ideal balance between durability and fuel economy.

Hyundai Tucson will join the Blue lineup of vehicles that includes Accent and Elantra. Tucson Blue will deliver outstanding fuel economy without adding hundreds of dollars to the price. In fact, the "Blue" model will be priced lower than other Tucson models, assuring it will be both efficient and economical. Hyundai is focused on achieving an excellent mpg-per-dollar ratio with the Hyundai Tucson Blue model. Fuel-efficient modifications will likely include low-rolling-resistance tires, enhanced aerodynamics, revised engine calibrations and reduced final drive ratios to deliver even higher mileage and lower emissions. The new Tucson high mileage edition will be identified with unique "Blue" badging.