The 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Review: Greener, Tech-Savvy, and Ready for the Roads Ahead

Evaluation: The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid of 2025 ventures into more eco-friendly territories

For its fourth year on the market, the latest model of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid presents an upgrade from the existing version. Hyundai has refreshed the cabin design and implemented some subtle alterations to the outer design.

The company has made modifications to its hybrid system, enhancing its power and introducing two variants: the "Blue" model and the regular Hybrid, both equipped with default mechanical all-wheel drive. Additionally, a Plug-In Hybrid model is set to be released later in the year, though we have not had the opportunity to test drive it.

The popularity of hybrid vehicles within Tucson's sales figures is on the rise, accounting for 25% of all Tucson vehicles sold the previous year. Hyundai anticipates this figure will continue to increase. Car manufacturers are dealing with tightening emission regulations for vehicles from 2026 to 2035, and affordably priced hybrids could be the simplest solution to comply with these standards. Hyundai plans to expand its range of plug-in hybrids in addition to introducing 21 fresh electric vehicle models in the near future. Both types of vehicles will be manufactured at Hyundai's newly established "Metaplant" located close to Savannah, Georgia.

In late August, we took the latest 2025 Tucson Hybrid for a spin around the undulating terrain and ravines near Santa Barbara. It was difficult to find any significant shortcomings, and we anticipate that the hybrid model will increasingly capture a larger share of the compact-SUV market, which currently stands as the biggest segment in the U.S., even surpassing full-size pickup trucks.

Interior of the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid

Hyundai Tucson Hybrid: Significant Interior Revamp, Exterior Tweaks Minimal

At first glance, distinguishing the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid from the model it follows, the 2024 version, could be challenging. Hyundai has slightly tweaked the front grille and headlights to stand taller and straighter, aiming to inject a sense of dynamism and ruggedness into the vehicle's appearance. However, these modifications are subtle and most noticeable when comparing the two models side by side. The addition of a new bumper cover complete with a skid shield extends the car's length by a small margin of less than half an inch, with all other size measurements remaining unchanged.

The vehicle's aerodynamic design and dynamic, pronounced sides aim to evoke the image of a galloping racehorse. However, when compared to the latest boxy, Land Rover-inspired Hyundai Santa Fe with its three-row seating, the Tucson appears more gentle and possibly slightly outdated.

The significant updates for the 2025 Tucson models are found within the interior of all variants. Hyundai's newest dashboard design, consisting of two connected 12.3-inch screens with a gentle curve, is positioned across a wide shelf that extends from one side of the cabin to the other. The screen to the left serves as the digital instrument panel for the driver, while the central screen functions as a touchscreen accessible to those in the front seats. This design has previously been featured in the Ioniq 5 and 6, as well as the latest Santa Fe, and it boasts a sleek, sharp, and contemporary appearance.

The passenger seat now features a horizontal tray at the front, and the central console extends from the dashboard down to roughly the height of one's ankles, providing a spacious, flat area with a rubber mat for securing mobile gadgets. Beneath the armrest, which supports the elbows of those seated in front, there's a compartment for storage; in front of this area sits an expansive section equipped with a pair of sizeable cupholders and a flat surface designed for wireless phone charging. This design ensures there's ample space between the top of the console and the dashboard, allowing passengers easy access to the items placed in the trays below.

Overall, the cabin is quite spacious and accommodates various items such as beverages, mobile devices, writing pads, and handbags with ease. Commendably, Hyundai paid attention to customer comments and reintroduced tangible dials and switches for managing the air system and sound settings. Moreover, the company has swapped out the console's pushbutton gear selector for a twisting gear stick mounted on the steering column, similar to what's found in the Ioniq and Santa Fe models.

2025 Model of the Hyundai Tucson XRT

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid introduces a modest boost in strength and a new 'Baby Mode'.

The propulsion system of both the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid versions of the Tucson features a 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine coupled with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Inserted between the engine and gearbox is a 47.7-kilowatt (equivalent to 64 horsepower) electric motor. The collective horsepower of this setup is 231, which is a 5 horsepower increase from the previous year's edition. This enhancement stems from a marginally greater energy yield from the 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, explains Andre Ravinowich, the senior manager in charge of product planning.

When driving, the 2025 Tucson Hybrid's electric motor offers ample immediate energy, allowing it to match the pace of other vehicles effortlessly without appearing overworked. Whether it's the motor, battery, or a combination of both, the power transfer is typically very smooth. Often, the engine kicks in without the driver even noticing, or it's barely detectable. Feeling the gears change up or down multiple times when the vehicle is solely on battery power can be surprising as it adjusts the motor's RPM to the vehicle's speed, but this is an unavoidable aspect of Hyundai's single-motor hybrid setup.

Despite this, the company from Korea has dedicated an immense amount of energy towards perfecting the drivetrain and the software that manages it. The results are evident. Back in late 2010, I had the opportunity to test drive a 2011 Hybrid Sonata prototype and found the experience so disagreeable that it didn't warrant a write-up. However, there's been significant progress since those days. (This is in stark contrast to Mazda's latest plug-in hybrid system, which unfortunately shares the same disagreeable driving experience as that initial Hybrid Sonata.)

The Tucson's hybrid model now offers a new option called "Baby Mode" within its powertrain management system. This function leverages the electric motor to ensure a gentler experience during rapid speed changes, enhancing the ride for infants in rear-facing car seats at the back. It subtly adjusts motor force or employs regenerative braking to also regulate lane shifting, sudden swerves, and the car's tilt.

The winding roads and countryside paths above Santa Barbara revealed that the Tucson Hybrid prioritizes a smooth ride rather than athletic handling. While not necessarily a downside, it does tend to bounce a bit over uneven terrain and during twisty stretches, a trade-off for its cushy feel. Is this a concern for the typical buyer? Likely not. In short: The Tucson Hybrid offers a cozy experience in most situations, but it's no match for a BMW on winding roads—and it doesn't aim to be.

Hyundai is aiming to achieve the prestigious Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) once again. Considering the previous year's model was bestowed with this honor, this goal appears to be well within reach.

2025 Model of Hyundai Tucson N Line Edition

Hyundai Tucson Hybrid boasts a serene interior, attractive design elements, and unrivaled space for backseat passengers' legs. The back seating area truly sets the Tucson apart, thanks to its extended wheelbase surpassing that of its compact hybrid SUV rivals. This results in wider doors and seats that are set further to the rear, offering, according to Hyundai, an impressive 41.3 inches of leg space for those seated in the back – the most spacious compared to its main competitors. Additionally, the headroom measures at 40.5 inches, matching the top contenders in its class. Having tested the rear seating ourselves, we can affirm Hyundai's claims.

The interior boasts high-grade materials featuring premium soft-touch finishes and visually appealing plastic elements. The redesigned dashboard enhances the spaciousness and openness of the interior, a welcome feature particularly in all-black color schemes. The color palette for the interior includes options of black, grey, and an unexpectedly appealing combination of green and grey in a triple tone. The exterior color selections are invigorated by the introduction of two new shades: a deep Atlantis Blue and an olive-toned Rockwood Green, which add a touch of vibrancy to the standard lineup of white, black, and an assortment of four grays and silvers.

The car does an excellent job at keeping noise to a minimum inside the cabin, which is impressive for its category. However, the electric parking brake is a notable outlier, making a considerable amount of noise when it's activated or released. This is especially apparent due to the general absence of engine sound that would usually cover it up.

The revamped cabin includes Hyundai's most recent infotainment system which supports remote updates. Consistently, each Tucson model comes equipped with the highly acclaimed Hyundai BlueLink+ connectivity suite. In contrast to some competitors (hint: GM), Hyundai has committed to offering this connectivity at no cost for the duration of the original owner's possession. System updates via remote download come free for the initial three years. The standard features also include compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for smartphone integration. Selected versions also provide options for Hyundai Pay, digital key features, and other sophisticated technologies.

Hyundai's Hybrid Model of the

In 2025, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid will be offered in four different versions, all equipped with All-Wheel Drive, with prices starting at $34,510 for the entry-level Blue model. The SEL Convenience trim will cost an extra $3,000, while the sporty N Line version will be an additional $1,750. The top-tier Limited model begins at $42,340 and features luxury additions such as 19-inch alloy wheels, a wide sunroof, seats with heating and cooling functions, an advanced 8-speaker audio system from Bose, a modern shift-by-wire gear selector mounted on the steering column, and a display projected onto the windshield. These prices all account for the compulsory delivery charge of $1,395.

By the way, the starting price for the 2025 plug-in hybrid model of the Hyundai Tucson is set at a minimum of $40,775.

Automotive journalists' road tests may not mirror everyday driving, so we've refrained from making any definitive statements about the actual fuel efficiency. The Tucson Hybrid SEL model improves its EPA fuel-efficiency figure from 26 mpg (with AWD) or 28 mpg (with FWD) up to an overall 35 mpg, and this model exclusively incorporates all-wheel drive. While it doesn't reach the fuel economy heights of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid at 41 mpg or the Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD at 37 mpg, it still offers a noticeable cut in your gas expenses for every hundred miles traveled. If you opt for the base Tucson Hybrid Blue model, you'll get an even better fuel economy of 38 mpg combined, though it comes with trade-offs like the absence of luxury features such as leather detailing and the downgrade to an optional driver's 12.3-inch display instead of it being a standard feature.

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Green Car Reports was able to deliver this firsthand drive report thanks to Hyundai, who covered the costs of flights, accommodation, and food.

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