2009 Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

If you’re eyeing a mid-size SUV, the Hyundai Tucson lands right in that sweet spot between compact and full-size — bigger than a Creta, less of a parking lot bruiser than a Santa Fe. It’s the familiar RAV4 and CX-5 crowd here, and buyers know the drill: spec levels, resale, and running costs all count, not just the badge. Hyundai’s 2.0-litre petrol and 2.0 CRDi diesel anchor the range, with a mix of manual, auto, and dual-clutch gearboxes floating around, depending on which year or trim you’re hunting. Right now, you’re shopping used only, with 24 active listings — not a single new one in sight — ranging from a bottom-feeder R78,500 to a surprisingly hefty R519,500, with the median pegged around R289,000. That span says it all: some sellers are desperate to offload, while others think their late-model Tucson should fetch near-new money, and for certain specs, they might not be wrong. On paper at least, the 2.0 Premium is where most eyes land — six of the listings are for this trim, split evenly between manual and auto, priced from R198,900 up to R328,888. If you pack smart, that’s the zone to target. The 2.0 CRDi Executive A/T swings wildly from R99,900 to R291,900, so you’ll want to scrutinise year and mileage hard. Average odometer clocks in at 113,000 km, spanning everything from 2008 to 2025 models — service history is non-negotiable, because neglect bites you later. Where the Tucson has always edged out the RAV4 and CX-5 is value: more kit for your rand, plus an interior with a bit more flair. If features-per-rand matters more than the logo on the grille, a used Tucson stacks up strongly against its Japanese rivals, and that’s the point.