Tucson XRT
Quick Answer: 2026 Hyundai Tucson XRT
The XRT starts at $33,475 MSRP and layers rugged styling onto the SEL's equipment: XRT-specific 18-inch alloys, side cladding, a liftgate badge, black mirrors, a dark chrome grille accent, LED taillights and premium LED daytime running lights, a black headliner, and a leather-wrapped wheel and shift knob. It's also the only Tucson trim with a tow hitch standard rather than optional, and AWD versions add a dedicated Terrain Mode for mud, sand, and snow settings. Underneath the styling it runs the same 187-hp gas engine as every other non-hybrid Tucson. Lakeland Automall stocks the XRT at 1430 West Memorial Boulevard.
Rugged looks, an honest disclaimer
Worth saying plainly: the XRT is a styling and equipment package built on the SEL, not a lifted off-roader. Ground clearance doesn't change. What does change is everything you can see and touch — blackout mirror caps, dark chrome grille trim, XRT-specific badging and side cladding, 18-inch wheels styled for the trim, and a black headliner inside. It reads more adventurous than the standard Tucson without pretending to be a trail rig, and for most Central Florida buyers who want the look without needing the capability, that's exactly the right amount of rugged.
The one trim with a tow hitch built in
Every other Tucson trim treats a tow hitch as an accessory. The XRT is the only one that ships with it standard, rated for the gas Tucson's full 2,750-pound capacity with a trailer-brake setup. Combined with the AWD version's Terrain Mode — dedicated settings tuned for mud, sand, and snow, genuinely useful on a soft boat-ramp shoulder even if snow never enters the picture in Polk County — the XRT is the practical pick for anyone hauling a small boat, jet skis, or a utility trailer on weekends.
What carries over from SEL, what doesn't
Equipment-wise the XRT builds from the SEL: the power driver's seat, heated front seats (plus heated rear seats, an XRT addition), hands-free liftgate, and dual-zone climate all carry over. New on top: ambient interior lighting, a memory driver's seat, and H-Tex seating with XRT-specific debossing. It sits just below SEL Premium in price but takes a different equipment path — SEL Premium spends its money on screens and driver-assist tech, XRT spends it on styling and towing capability. Built-in navigation is one of the things it does not buy: that starts at SEL Premium, so mapping on an XRT runs through wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
A tow-and-trade Tucson story
Richard Lewis's review after buying his Tucson captures the kind of relaxed, relationship-based sale that tends to happen with repeat Lakeland Automall customers: "Trey was great to work with, very understanding, big thanks goes out to Trey Peterson and we love the Tucson." Trey Peterson remains a sales specialist here per the dealership's current staff listing.
Frequently asked questions
What does the 2026 Tucson XRT cost?
MSRP starts at $33,475, before Hyundai's $1,600 freight charge and Florida's taxes and DMV fees. See the pricing guide for the complete breakdown.
Is the XRT lifted or off-road capable?
No. It's a styling and standard-equipment package over the SEL — blackout trim, unique wheels, and (with AWD) Terrain Mode — without any change to ground clearance or suspension travel. It's rugged-looking, not a genuine off-road trim.
Does the XRT come in front-wheel drive?
Yes, front-wheel drive is available, though Terrain Mode — the drive-mode setting tuned for mud, sand, and snow — is specific to XRT models equipped with HTRAC all-wheel drive.
How much can the XRT tow?
Up to 2,750 pounds with a properly equipped trailer-brake setup, matching the gas Tucson's maximum rating. It's the only trim where the hitch itself ships standard rather than as an add-on.
Is there a hybrid XRT?
Not in the 2026 lineup. XRT styling is currently a gas-only trim; the hybrid range's closest style-forward option is the blacked-out Hybrid Night, built on the Limited rather than the SEL.
The bottom line
XRT is the Tucson for buyers who want a rugged look, a hitch that's already there, and real all-weather traction without stepping all the way up to Limited pricing. Check XRT inventory at Lakeland Automall.
Every 2026 Tucson guide
MSRP figures exclude the $1,600 freight charge plus taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Towing figures are manufacturer estimates. Equipment and availability can shift with configuration and production timing; confirm current specs with Lakeland Automall. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Lakeland Automall.