A easy, efficient replace is all a automobile wants generally. The 2025 Hyundai Tucson is a sterling instance. A slight facelift, some new tech, and a brand-new inside assist maintain the Tucson aggressive with different best-sellers within the compact SUV section. However is it sufficient to safe victory over high canines like Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V?
The Tucson fundamentals are all nonetheless right here. You get three powertrain choices: A 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 1.6-liter turbo hybrid, and a 1.6-liter turbo plug-in hybrid. The two.5-liter will be had in front-wheel or all-wheel drive whereas each hybrids get normal all-wheel drive. Then you may have your alternative of trim ranges, from the barebones $30,000 SE FWD, up by means of the mid-grade SEL that ranges from $32,000 to $34,000, and eventually, the top-trim Restricted that ranges from $38,000 for a Restricted FWD to $47,000 for a Restricted plug-in hybrid.
Nothing of observe has modified mechanically, with small updates utilized to numerous programs. Most notably, hybrid fashions get driver-adjustable regenerative braking by means of steering-wheel-mounted paddles, identical to Hyundai’s EVs. In any other case, it is the identical environment friendly and refined hybrid powertrain as earlier than, and the identical barely torpid non-hybrid 2.5-liter engine as properly.
The colossal replace comes with the inside, which is nearly totally new for the 2025 Tucson. It ditches the already first rate outdated inside with a dashboard structure almost similar to the Elantra and Santa Fe. A large, curved instrument panel spans many of the dashboard with twin 12.3-inch screens, one for the gauge cluster and the opposite for the infotainment. A brand new sprint additionally brings again a characteristic not seen because the early ’90s with an open storage cubby within the passenger-side sprint, in addition to a brand new touch-sensitive HVAC panel.
Chris Rosales / Motor1
Professionals: Good Inside, Nice Gasoline Economic system, Surprisingly Good To Drive, Good Journey
On the street, the Tucson hits its marks with a assured stride. The brand new inside is exceedingly usable, with loads of cupboard space and many pockets across the cabin. The brand new display structure seems to be crisp and the infotainment display has smartphone-esque responsiveness. All the pieces feels high-quality with a pleasant unfold of supplies, together with some textured materials and tender leather-based surfaces including tactile intrigue.
It was a stunning place to spend time, with solely a few demerits. For one, there’s an excessive amount of inside noise, with essential frequencies from the tires and wind noticeable at freeway speeds. It was moderately quiet for probably the most half, which perhaps made these different sounds extra apparent, nevertheless it was sudden. Not a dealbreaker, nevertheless it’s actually in distinction to the remainder of the inside’s quiet excellence.
Chris Rosales / Motor1
Chris Rosales / Motor1
In the meantime, different minor particulars have been welcomed—like slots for the rear seatbelt buckles to stay in whereas the second row is folded down, or a quiet mode that mutes the rear audio system for rear passengers. The final consideration to element and design make the Tucson extra lovable than I anticipated.
For the said energy output of the Restricted hybrid I drove, it didn’t really feel too desperate to speed up. It had enough energy, however didn’t really feel just like the 231 horsepower I used to be anticipating, even with a brimmed battery pack. That is in all probability as a result of the Tucson Restricted hybrid is pretty heavy at 3,904 kilos, however no less than it did return an trustworthy 34 miles per gallon mixed on a 150-mile loop. Then there was Hyundai’s superior driver’s help system, dubbed Freeway Driving Help II. The adaptive cruise management labored properly and braked easily in site visitors, however I discovered the lane holding to be irritatingly swervy.
Chris Rosales / Motor1
Cons: Not All That Energy, Adaptive Security Wants Refinement
There isn’t a doubt, nevertheless, that the up to date Tucson drives properly. Its journey high quality approaches distinctive, with wonderful damping over a mixture of giant and small bumps. What was most spectacular was how tender it was with out compromising dealing with or physique management.
Usually, dealing with doesn’t issue all that a lot right into a compact SUV buy, however the Tucson additionally handles properly sufficient to make observe of it. It has a pleasant, pure steering effort curve and wonderful suggestions from the electronically assisted rack. The steering wasn’t afraid to weigh up in corners and by no means felt too gentle or disconnected. A unusually spectacular effort in an in any other case atypical automobile.
Chris Rosales / Motor1
Chris Rosales / Motor1
Hyundai’s effort quantities to an SUV that may actually take the combat to the highest contenders within the section. Hyundai’s infotainment and display tech is class-leading, as is the journey and dealing with, and the powertrains do the same job to the competitors. The 2025 Tucson falls barely quick in inside noise—however that’s about it.
Total, the Hyundai Tucson is a real worth proposition with a variety of significant updates and added options that quantity to a extra cohesive SUV than the remaining. In some ways, the Tucson appears like the most effective compact SUV within the section.
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Chris Rosales / Motor1
