2025 Hyundai Tucson Limited AWD Hybrid - Review by David Colman +VIDEO

Practical Solution to Electrification

David Colman

Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

As more and more buyers shy away from making the daunting commitment to an EV purchase, hybrid technology has stepped in to bridge the gap between internal combustion propulsion and full-time electrification. Though Hyundai's big sales push for 2025 targets the Hybrid Tucson, you can still buy a strictly gasoline-fed version of the Tucson. This 187hp model, which is available with front-wheel drive or HTRAC all-wheel drive, ranges in price from $28,355 for the SE version to $32,665 for the upmarket SEL Convenience model.

However, the focus at Hyundai for 2025 is clearly on the Hybrid model, which is available in four trim levels. The least expensive is the Blue version ($32,575), followed by the SEL ($35,155), the plush Limited mode we tested ($39,715) and the sporty N Line ($36,655). All these offerings conjoin a 187hp turbocharged, 2.5 liter inline-4 cylinder gas motor to a 64hp electric motor for a combined output of 231hp and 258lb.-ft. of torque. That's enough combined power to sprint from zero to sixty mph in 8 seconds and post a quarter-mile standing start run of 16 seconds. The EPA rates the Tucson Hybrid at an excellent 38MPG in Combined City/Highway driving.

But the Hybrid we drove never felt quite strong enough to make freeway on-ramp merges a piece of cake. For that extra surge, you'll need to opt for the more expensive, more powerful Plug-In (PHEV) Tucson Hybrid, which will set you back a whopping $45,450 in Limited HTRAC form. Your extra outlay of $5,735 will help squirt you through the standing start quarter mile in 15 seconds flat and complete the 0-60mph sprint in 7.2 seconds. Ironically, the Plug-In Hybrid's 33MPG Overall Rating loses 5MPG to the straight Hybrid model we tested.

Hyundai has lavished a plethora of creature comforts on the Limited Tucson. Both front seats and both rear seats boast 3-stage heating, as does the steering wheel. All these functions, as well as all HVAC operations, are thankfully delineated on clearly labeled physical buttons splayed logically across the lower face of the dash. The dashboard's upper face is occupied by a sweeping pair of 12.3-inch information screens, with the driver's screen dedicated to engine and road speed readouts, and the adjoining central display dedicated to infotainment selections and mapping needs. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are finally integrated into this well designed visual arcade.

Our test Tucson was finished in a rather understated shade called Shimmering Silver, a color that integrated particularly well with the SUV's simplified-for-2025 front grill. The complicated design of the Limited's sparkling silver and notchy black 19 inch alloy rims works particularly well with the dagger-like patterning of the Tucson's multi-faceted flanks. Mounted at each corner of this all-wheel-drive platform are 235/55R19 Michelin Primacy A/S (all season) radials (TW 540) that proved surprisingly competent. They helped the Tucson maintain a high level of grip from track-in point to apex to exit on a scintillating dawn blast up Coast Route 1. The fact that the Michelins are 55 series rather than 50 series radials helped maintain the Tucson's comfortable ride quality. We had dialed the Drive Mode setting to Sport before we started, and instantly discovered that Hyundai has calibrated the steering effort perfectly for feel and feedback when you're attacking apexes. While the Tucson may not look like a candidate for the Sporting SUV Hall of Fame, I discovered its true potential that foggy morning out on Route 1.

That handling prowess came as an unexpected but welcome addition to the rest of this Hyundai's impressive comfort/mileage/price portfolio. If you don't need to carry passengers in the second row, you'll gain up to 75 cubic feet of cargo space by dropping the rear seats flat. That verges on being large enough to carry big furniture, lots of shopping bags, or even my own mountain bike.

Hyundai has become an industry leader in the past few years, constantly refining and updating their extensive product line with innovative takes, retakes and sensible upgrades. The Tucson Hybrid is an exemplary instance of making a good SUV great without tagging its bottom line with onerous mark-up profit.

2025 HYUNDAI TUCSON LIMITED AWD HYBRID

• ENGINE: 2.5 liter inline-4, DOHC 16-valve, turbocharged and intercooled plus AC motor
• HORSEPOWER: 231hp (Combined)
• TORQUE: 258lb.-ft. (Combined)
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 38 MPG
• PRICE AS TESTED: $39,715

HYPES: Practical Solution to Electrification

GRIPES: Could Use the Extra 30hp of the PHEV Tucson

STAR RATING: 9 Stars out of 10

©2024 David E Colman