Refreshed Greatest-Promoting Hyundai
The Hyundai Tucson, first offered in North America in 2005 and now in its fourth era, is the model’s best-selling mannequin. Initially obtainable with solely a gasoline engine, we drove probably the most fuel-efficient Tucson, a plug-in hybrid. Hyundai started providing gasoline-electric hybrid fashions and plug-in hybrids in 2024.
The 2025 Tucson PHEV is out there in two trims, every delivering environment friendly driving whereas seating 5 and hauling all their stuff.
Easy Effectivity
The Hyundai Tucson PHEV is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 178 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The 88 kW electrical motor (powered by a the 360 kWh lithium-ion battery), contributes 97 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, for a complete system output of 268 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimates gas financial system within the AWD Restricted trim to be 35 mpg metropolis/35 freeway/35 mixed with an all-electric driving vary of 32 miles. This offers the Tucson PHEV a 420-mile driving vary, which will get you from San Francisco to Anaheim to go to the mouse and his pals, or Philadelphia to Cleveland to rock out.
About that 32-mile all-electric driving vary. We had been in a position to prolong it to simply beneath 40 miles. Insurance coverage statistics say the typical American drives between 33 and 39 miles every day, however our guess is it’s possible you’ll drive far much less, making these brief close-to-home buying and child chauffeur journeys gas-free on a regular basis when you have house charging.
To placed on lots of, if not hundreds, of miles utilizing minimal gasoline cost to 100% by plugging in each time potential, at a minimal in a single day. It might be a waste of the PHEV know-how to not drive in all-electric mode each time potential. In the event you can plug-in your cell phone earlier than going to mattress, then the identical may be accomplished on your Tucson plug-in hybrid. Fairly easy and probably the most economical and environment friendly approach to drive.
Mated to Hyundai’s HTRAC AWD, the electronically-controlled all-wheel drive system has an energetic on-demand functionality to seamlessly go between four-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. This method is designed to maximise each gas financial system and traction relying on the highway situations. There’s a button to lock the middle coupling, which sends 50-percent traction to the entrance and rear axles so in slippery situations that reduces or eliminates wheel spin and offers improved traction.
The shift-by-wire 6-speed automated with a torque converter, is engaged by toggling by self-explanatory drive modes, which affords the alternatives of Eco/Regular, Sport, My Drive and Snow.
As well as, the Child drive mode was designed to assist scale back the sharpness of preliminary acceleration for a gentler, smoother feeling for these occasions when waking sleeping kids within the backseat is a giant no-no.
The Inexperienced Zone drive mode is for when driving by an space the place silence is most popular, comparable to close to a hospital or college. Go for this mode and it defaults to electrical mode (when the battery has adequate cost) producing no noise. It additionally may very well be referred to as Stealth Mode when pulling into your driveway at 2 a.m.
Highway Time
Hyundai has achieved nearly no perceivable turbo lag upon accelerating. The torque comes on easily at a low 1,500 rpm and pulls robust by 4,500 rpm. In unscientific acceleration runs we clocked 0-60 occasions round 7.1 seconds, which is ample energy to get the 4,265-pound Tucson PHEV in control. Trailer pre-wiring is normal, and the utmost trailer weight ranking with trailer brakes is 2,000 kilos (1,650 kilos with out).
The Tucson Hybrid has a pleasing, strong and assured really feel with a cushty journey the place solely the harshest highway imperfections transmitted sounds to the cabin. The suspension has been programmed and designed so cornering was near-flat with little-to-no physique roll when pushed arduous. The ability-assisted steering was direct and gave good highway suggestions, whereas the ABS regenerative brakes (the system that places electrical energy again into the battery when coasting or stopping) had a progressive really feel, producing straight and true stops.
A giant “Thanks!” to Hyundai for being among the many solely PHEV producers to place paddles to regulate the regenerative braking stage, on the steering wheel. Pulling on the left paddle begins the slowing. With progressively extra stress, the automotive slows extra. When pulling and holding the paddle, the Cease Help Management brings the Tucson PHEV to an entire cease. Launch the paddle and the Tucson will stay nonetheless till you step on the accelerator. This can be a nice function of one-pedal driving because it relieves stress and stress on the decrease proper leg when in fixed stop-and-go visitors.
When utilizing the regenerative function, the brake lights come on the identical as when urgent on the brake pedal. The motive force is aware of when the lights come on as a automobile picture seems on the sprint instrument cluster with the brake lights illuminated, indicating the rear LED brake lights are additionally lit-up. That is essential as following drivers must know the Tucson PHEV is slowing the identical as if the brake pedal was being depressed.
Straightforward Identifier
The brand new boxy entrance bumper sits under the daytime working lights (DRL) embedded within the grille.
The geometric DRL design of dimensional rectangles is putting upon first look and can age effectively over time. The 2025 Tucson at night time is definitely identifiable. With the LED headlights sitting on the far edges outdoors the grille, that is the form of entrance finish that makes you test it out yet another time as you stroll away when the lights are lit.
The edges reveal attention-grabbing dimensional strains with a daring chrome accent strip trimming the home windows. The panoramic energy sunroof sits between the aerodynamic roof rails, which result in a small spoiler over the rear window. Bravo to Hyundai for cleanly tucking the rear wiper beneath the spoiler, a cultured look not even some costlier SUVs have adopted.
The distinctive rear finish design is dominated by inward slanted vertical LED tail lights and a connecting mild strip, stretching from edge-to-edge throughout the facility hands-free elevate gate.
Clear, Refreshing Inside
The inside has been fully redesigned for 2025. The twin 12.3-inch horizontal colour panoramic curved shows look like all one display, making-up a clear and built-in look and move.
The correct aspect display homes the navigation, rear view digital camera, and (normal on the N Line and Restricted) the 8-channel Bose premium audio system with eight audio system. This good-sounding system has SiriusXM (3-month trial), AM/FM/HD radio, wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with Bluetooth, aux and twin USB-C ports. The lean and telescoping, 3-spoke, leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel has controls for audio, phone and the adaptive cruise management.
The left aspect 12.3-inch colour instrument cluster consists of an easy-to-read speedometer and tachometer gauges with black faces with white letters. This cluster is absolutely programmable to point out varied automobile methods.
Further options embody a proximity key with push button begin and adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go. Good options embody the twin automated temperature management, heated and energy aspect mirrors with flip indicators and a cargo space 12V cost port. Well, the wi-fi telephone charger sits atop the middle console.
The cabin was quiet. Hyundai added soundproof glass on the windshield and entrance door home windows plus carpet, ground mats and sound absorption supplies. The corporate mentioned it listens to automotive journalists and prospects in terms of design, so Hyundai has returned to knobs for tuning the audio and the local weather methods.
The 2025 Tucson has been prolonged six inches over the earlier mannequin, which benefited the inside with extra leg room and area to unfold out. The entrance seats within the high trim Restricted we drove are 8-way energy adjustable, leather-trimmed, heated and ventilated, with the motive force getting lumbar and reminiscence.
The second row entry was wonderful, with the comfy, three-setting (low-medium-high) heated leather-trimmed seats providing ample head and leg room. The rear seats recline about 9 inches, which was an sudden vary of movement, and passengers get A/C and heater vents, map lights, twin USB cost ports, and a middle armrest with cup holders. Cargo area measures 38.7 cubic inches with the rear seat up, and 74.5 with the 60:40 rear seat folded flat. There’s further space for storing beneath the far rear cargo space ground.
Security and Warranties
The Tucson Hybrid comes with an intensive record of ordinary security options. They embody eight airbags (entrance, aspect influence and aspect air curtain with rollover sensors), rain-sensing wipers, lane hold help, blind spot detection, ahead collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic avoidance help, hill begin help, encompass and blind view monitor with parking sensors, a tire stress monitoring system and digital stability management.
One very cool function, when utilizing the flip sign, is the Blind-Spot View Monitorthe place a digital camera comes on exhibiting the aspect views of the Tucson, relying on which course is being turned.
The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) awarded the Tucson Hybrid its Prime Security Decide. The Nationwide Freeway and Security Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2025 Tucson Hybrid a 5 Star Score, its highest security mark.
The 2025 Tucson Hybrid comes with a few of the finest warranties within the trade together with the hybrid powertrain protection of 10 years and 100,000 miles, and new automobile for five years and 60,000 miles. Go right here to see all of the warranties.
Pricing
The 2025 Tucson PHEV AWD is available in two trim ranges, each with all-wheel drive. These base costs embody the $1,450 freight cost.
- SEL $41,180
- Restricted $48,890
Observations: 2025 Hyundai Tucson PHEV Restricted AWD
The refreshed 2025 Hyundai Tucson ought to enchantment to shoppers wanting a alternative of powertrains and the choice of all-wheel drive in a compact SUV. The outside has been up to date and the inside fully redesigned from the 2024 mannequin.
José Muñoz, president and international COO, Hyundai Motor Firm and president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America, is excessive on the Tucson. He says of the corporate’s best-selling mannequin: “The refreshed 2025 Tucson SUV expands the enchantment of our full-spectrum eco-powertrain strategy, providing inner combustion, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid fashions.”
The journey has a class-up really feel with its comfort options, efficiency and effectivity all including as much as the 2025 Tucson PHEV Restricted sitting effectively with us in some ways.
Go right into a Hyundai vendor for a prolonged check drive and see why the Tucson is the best-selling Hyundai.
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Story by John Faulkner. Images by John Faulkner and Hyundai.
Disclosure
Clear Fleet Report is loaned free check automobiles from automakers to guage, sometimes for every week at a time. Our highway assessments are based mostly on this one-week drive of a brand new automobile. Due to this we don’t handle points comparable to long-term reliability or complete value of possession. As well as, we are sometimes invited to producer occasions highlighting new automobiles or know-how. As a part of these occasions we could also be provided free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our greatest to current our unvarnished evaluations of automobiles and information irrespective of those inducements.
Our focus is on automobiles that provide the perfect gas financial system of their class, which leads us to emphasise electrical automobiles, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and different environment friendly powertrains. We additionally function these environment friendly gas-powered automobiles which are among the many high mpg automobiles of their class. As well as, we intention to supply critiques and information on superior know-how and the choice gas automobile market. We welcome any suggestions from automobile homeowners and are devoted to offering a discussion board for various viewpoints. Please tell us your views at writer@cleanfleetreport.com.
