Refreshed Best-Selling Hyundai
The Hyundai Tucson, first sold in North America in 2005 and now in its fourth generation, is the brand’s best-selling model. Initially available with only a gasoline engine, we drove the most fuel-efficient Tucson, a plug-in hybrid. Hyundai began offering gasoline-electric hybrid models and plug-in hybrids in 2024.
The 2025 Tucson PHEV is available in two trims, each delivering efficient driving while seating five and hauling all their stuff.
Effortless Efficiency
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 electric motor (powered by a the 360 kWh lithium-ion battery), contributes 97 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, for a total system output of 268 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimates fuel economy in the AWD Limited trim to be 35 mpg city/35 highway/35 combined with an all-electric driving range of 32 miles. This gives the Tucson PHEV a 420-mile driving range, which gets you from San Francisco to Anaheim to visit the mouse and his friends, or Philadelphia to Cleveland to rock out.
About that 32-mile all-electric driving range. We were able to extend it to just under 40 miles. Insurance statistics say the average American drives between 33 and 39 miles daily, but our guess is you may drive far less, making those short close-to-home shopping and kid chauffeur trips gas-free everyday if you have home charging.
To put on hundreds, if not thousands, of miles using minimal gasoline charge to 100% by plugging in whenever possible, at a minimum overnight. It would be a waste of the PHEV technology to not drive in all-electric mode whenever possible. If you can plug-in your mobile phone before going to bed, then the same can be done for your Tucson plug-in hybrid. Pretty simple and the most economical and efficient way to drive.
Mated to Hyundai’s HTRAC AWD, the electronically-controlled all-wheel drive system has an active on-demand capability to seamlessly go between four-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. This system is designed to maximize both fuel economy and traction depending on the road conditions. There is a button to lock the center coupling, which sends 50-percent traction to the front and rear axles so in slippery conditions that reduces or eliminates wheel spin and provides improved traction.
The shift-by-wire 6-speed automatic with a torque converter, is engaged by toggling through self-explanatory drive modes, which offers the choices of Eco/Normal, Sport, My Drive and Snow.
In addition, the Baby drive mode was designed to help reduce the sharpness of initial acceleration for a gentler, smoother feeling for those times when waking sleeping youngsters in the backseat is a big no-no.
The Green Zone drive mode is for when driving through an area where silence is preferred, such as near a hospital or school. Opt for this mode and it defaults to electric mode (when the battery has sufficient charge) producing no noise. It also could be called Stealth Mode when pulling into your driveway at 2 a.m.
Road Time
Hyundai has achieved almost no perceivable turbo lag upon accelerating. The torque comes on smoothly at a low 1,500 rpm and pulls strong through 4,500 rpm. In unscientific acceleration runs we clocked 0-60 times around 7.1 seconds, which is ample power to get the 4,265-pound Tucson PHEV up to speed. Trailer pre-wiring is standard, and the maximum trailer weight rating with trailer brakes is 2,000 pounds (1,650 pounds without).
The Tucson Hybrid has a pleasant, solid and confident feel with a comfortable ride where only the harshest road imperfections transmitted sounds to the cabin. The suspension has been programmed and designed so cornering was near-flat with little-to-no body roll when pushed hard. The power-assisted steering was direct and gave good road feedback, while the ABS regenerative brakes (the system that puts electricity back into the battery when coasting or stopping) had a progressive feel, producing straight and true stops.
A big “Thanks!” to Hyundai for being among the only PHEV manufacturers to put paddles to adjust the regenerative braking level, on the steering wheel. Pulling on the left paddle begins the slowing. With progressively more pressure, the car slows more. When pulling and holding the paddle, the Stop Assist Control brings the Tucson PHEV to a complete stop. Release the paddle and the Tucson will remain still until you step on the accelerator. This is a great feature of one-pedal driving as it relieves stress and pressure on the lower right leg when in constant stop-and-go traffic.
When using the regenerative feature, the brake lights come on the same as when pressing on the brake pedal. The driver knows when the lights come on as a vehicle image appears on the dash instrument cluster with the brake lights illuminated, indicating the rear LED brake lights are also lit-up. This is important as following drivers need to know the Tucson PHEV is slowing the same as if the brake pedal was being depressed.
Easy Identifier
The new boxy front bumper sits below the daytime running lights (DRL) embedded in the grille.
The geometric DRL design of dimensional rectangles is striking upon first glance and will age well over time. The 2025 Tucson at night is easily identifiable. With the LED headlights sitting on the far edges outside the grille, this is the sort of front end that makes you check it out one more time as you walk away when the lights are lit.
The sides reveal interesting dimensional lines with a bold chrome accent strip trimming the windows. The panoramic power sunroof sits between the aerodynamic roof rails, which lead to a small spoiler over the rear window. Bravo to Hyundai for cleanly tucking the rear wiper under the spoiler, a classy look not even some more expensive SUVs have adopted.
The distinctive rear end design is dominated by inward slanted vertical LED tail lights and a connecting light strip, stretching from edge-to-edge across the power hands-free lift gate.
Clean, Refreshing Interior
The interior has been completely redesigned for 2025. The dual 12.3-inch horizontal color panoramic curved displays appear to be all one screen, making-up a clean and integrated look and flow.
The right side screen houses the navigation, rear view camera, and (standard on the N Line and Limited) the 8-channel Bose premium audio system with eight speakers. This good-sounding system has SiriusXM (3-month trial), AM/FM/HD radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with Bluetooth, aux and dual USB-C ports. The tilt and telescoping, 3-spoke, leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel has controls for audio, telephone and the adaptive cruise control.
The left side 12.3-inch color instrument cluster includes an easy-to-read speedometer and tachometer gauges with black faces with white letters. This cluster is fully programmable to show various vehicle systems.
Additional features include a proximity key with push button start and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go. Nice features include the dual automatic temperature control, heated and power side mirrors with turn signals and a cargo area 12V charge port. Smartly, the wireless phone charger sits atop the center console.
The cabin was quiet. Hyundai added soundproof glass on the windshield and front door windows plus carpet, floor mats and sound absorption materials. The company said it listens to automotive journalists and customers when it comes to design, so Hyundai has returned to knobs for tuning the audio and the climate systems.
The 2025 Tucson has been extended six inches over the previous model, which benefited the interior with more leg room and space to spread out. The front seats in the top trim Limited we drove are 8-way power adjustable, leather-trimmed, heated and ventilated, with the driver getting lumbar and memory.
The second row access was excellent, with the comfortable, three-setting (low-medium-high) heated leather-trimmed seats offering ample head and leg room. The rear seats recline about nine inches, which was an unexpected range of motion, and passengers get A/C and heater vents, map lights, dual USB charge ports, and a center armrest with cup holders. Cargo space measures 38.7 cubic inches with the rear seat up, and 74.5 with the 60:40 rear seat folded flat. There is additional storage space under the far rear cargo area floor.
Safety and Warranties
The Tucson Hybrid comes with an extensive list of standard safety features. They include eight airbags (front, side impact and side air curtain with rollover sensors), rain-sensing wipers, lane keep assist, blind spot detection, forward collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist, hill start assist, surround and blind view monitor with parking sensors, a tire pressure monitoring system and electronic stability control.
One very cool feature, when using the turn signal, is the Blind-Spot View Monitor, where a camera comes on showing the side views of the Tucson, depending on which direction is being turned.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Tucson Hybrid its Top Safety Pick. The National Highway and Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2025 Tucson Hybrid a 5 Star Rating, its highest safety mark.
The 2025 Tucson Hybrid comes with some of the best warranties in the industry including the hybrid powertrain coverage of 10 years and 100,000 miles, and new vehicle for 5 years and 60,000 miles. Go here to see all the warranties.
Pricing
The 2025 Tucson PHEV AWD comes in two trim levels, both with all-wheel drive. These base prices include the $1,450 freight charge.
- SEL $41,180
- Limited $48,890
Observations: 2025 Hyundai Tucson PHEV Limited AWD
The refreshed 2025 Hyundai Tucson should appeal to consumers wanting a choice of powertrains and the option of all-wheel drive in a compact SUV. The exterior has been updated and the interior completely redesigned from the 2024 model.
José Muñoz, president and global COO, Hyundai Motor Company and president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America, is high on the Tucson. He says of the company’s best-selling model: “The refreshed 2025 Tucson SUV expands the appeal of our full-spectrum eco-powertrain approach, offering internal combustion, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models.”
The ride has a class-up feel with its convenience features, performance and efficiency all adding up to the 2025 Tucson PHEV Limited sitting well with us in many ways.
Go into a Hyundai dealer for a lengthy test drive and see why the Tucson is the best-selling Hyundai.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Hyundai.
Disclosure
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and other efficient powertrains. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at [email protected].
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