Hyundai's compact Tucson crossover offers a host of propulsion possibilities wrapped within appreciated mid-cycle updates for the 2025 model year. Continuing as one of the sharpest styled cute-utes with unique, refreshed front and rear lighting signatures outside and a bigger, bolder dashboard screen inside.
South Korea's largest automaker markets Tucson in three flavors: a conventional version powered solely by an internal combustion engine (ICE), a self-charging gas-electric hybrid (HEV or hybrid electric vehicle), or a Plug-in Electric Hybrid (PHEV) offering 33 estimated miles of pure electric driving before gas-electric hybrid technology takes over.
No matter how its sliced, Tucson continues paving the way and the road ahead as the automaker's top-selling vehicle in the U.S. In the 2024 calendar year, sales broke the 200,000-mile marker reaching 206,126 units. The next qualifying corporate cousin is the mid-size Santa Fe crossover at 199,010 units. For the year, Hyundai once again overachieved with an all-time U.S. sales record reaching 836,882.
The 2025 Tucson HEV qualifies as a 'full' hybrid, an important distinction from the growing number of 'mild' hybrids offered up within today's 'electrified' marketplace. Full hybrid electric vehicles (or FHEVs) provide superior fuel economy numbers through an electric motor (or motors) directly powering the wheels in pure electric mode for short distances at low speeds.
Mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) place a small assist-like electric motor/generator between the engine and transmission not directly powering vehicle and not providing as high a return within fuel economy readouts. Both self-charge with no need for a nightly wall socket charge thanks to the dynamics or regenerative braking, where kinetic energy/friction created during the braking process captures and stores within the DC battery pack for reuse as electricity. This process provides the convenient self-charging aspect. All Tucson HEVs include two levels of kinetic energy resistance (Eco, Smart) with the Eco choice providing greater friction. Mild hybrids employ a smaller DC battery pack with pricing less than a full hybrid,
Our tester this week, the Tucson HEV provided a healthy 35 miles of fuel economy in both city and highway conditions, a sizeable jump from the standard ICE version delivering 23 miles city and 29 highway. While a smattering of compact rival HEV products enjoy slightly higher high mileage estimates, the total package Tucson envelopes largely makes for a tempting and recommended choice.
The Tucson Hybrid combines together a 48-kilowatt electric motor (up slightly from last year's 44-kilowatt output) sourced by a 270-volt, 1.49-kilowatt hour lithium-ion battery pack. The electric components work alongside a 1.6-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine for a combined horsepower rating of 231. A nice side perk, all 2025 Tucsons be it an ICE, HEV or PHEV require regular, 87-octane fuel instead of higher-priced premium grade. Hybrid versions include a 13.7-gallon tank. Our HEV tester, as with the PHEV version, arrives with on-demand all-wheel drive standard. Hyundai uses this same effective electric motor/1.6-liter turbocharged engine within the underpinnings of the three-row Santa Fe HEV mid-size crossover in 2025.
Tucson first arrived at Hyundai dealers back in the 2005 model year powered exclusively by a four-cylinder internal combustion engine. The current 2025 model represents a fourth-generation effort debuting in the 2022 model year. Both the HEV and PHEV Tucson versions arrived during the fourth-generation debut. While Tucson currently does not offer a pure all-electric option, Hyundai offers an impressive assortment of competitively priced and sized EVs in the form of the Ioniq 5 EV, Ioniq 6 EV, a soon-to-arrive Ioniq 9 EV and diminutive Kona EV.
Four Tucson hybrid trim levels include Blue, SEL Convenience, N Line and top-trim Limited. All boast an on demand all-wheel drive design specific to hybrids deemed HTRAC with additional drive modes available in 2025. The drive mode selector resides at the end ridge of the extended nose center console between front buckets. The returning sport mode sends additional torque to the rear wheels delivering an agile feel. New 'green zone' and 'my drive' selections join normal and snow. The HTRAC design incorporates e-Motion dynamics precisely applying electric motor torque according to driving and road conditions optimizing cornering and strong get-up-and-go from a standing start.
The compact, two-row Tucson builds from a uni-body car-like platform, not a bulkier body-on-frame truck design delivering comfortable on road pleasantries while not intended for deep off-roading duties. Tucson offers firm yet planted on-road mannerisms with responsive handling. It's not designed as a sport enthusiast's dream; more of a dependable family hauler reality. The workable 8.3 inches of ground clearance allows easy gliding into and out of the vehicle. No extended hops, skips or jumps needed to enter.
The HEV combo powertrain works with a specially-tuned six-speed automatic transmission, an interesting choice as many gas-electric hybrids opt for the less thrilling electrified continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). The six forward gears Tucson provides offer a bit more spunk when flooring the accelerator pedal from a standing start with a smooth, quiet and efficient performance than an e-CVT. Steering wheel paddle shifters also provide drivers the opportunity to up and downshift gears without the need of a foot clutch.
Entry Blue HEV trims start at $33,365. Our Deep Sea colored Limited 2025 Tucson tester with zero factory options (since it's marketed fully loaded) included a $40,846 starter price, and a bottom line reaching $42,550 after dealer-installed floor mats and a $1,395 destination charge.
Interestingly, an all-wheel-drive Limited trim Tucson sporting the conventional ICE engine starts at $39,795, just inches away from our HEV variant's $40,846. The price gaps between internal combustion engines and full HEVs have narrowed considerably during the past decade-and-a-half.
Our top-trim Limited included exclusive leatherette trimmed seats with the upfronts including a ventilation feature. All hybrid trims include a panoramic sunroof sans the entry Blue trim.
Tucson's handsome exterior blends an updated-for-2025 up front multi-bulbed headlight design with a side profile exuding a different look depending upon the angle one views. An upfront eight bulb daytime running light signature replaces the previous 10 count. These eight narrow rectangular DRL strips build into the grill's cornered outer edges for a striking appearance after sunset. The rear liftgate sports a narrow red light bar extending from end to end below the lift-back glass.
The hood includes two straight-line center creases framing Hyundai's grille mounted 'H' logo upfront and stretches up to the windshield. Gently curved creases originate at the base of the A pillar and swing towards the grille. A recently tested, luxury-appointed Genesis G80 sedan employs this same bit of hood artistry. Wheel wells, with black composite framing, sport an edgy, squared-off design.
The standard rear wiper (which grows longer in 2025 for increased coverage) swoops and swipes down from the top side creating a less cluttered look with the mechanical arm hidden from view via the hatch door upper lip/spoiler.
All Tucson's now include a flat shelf above the passenger's side glove box area lightly illuminating at night for stowing all sorts of 'stuff.' Long, narrow brushed aluminum framing stretches from one end of the dashboard to the other through the manually-adjustable steering column incorporating narrow horizontal air vents. The electronic start/stop push button nicely builds into the long stretch. The spacious region with multiple storage opportunities between front buckets benefits from the eight-speed transmission's electronic shifter stalk location on the steering column's right side joining a second wiper stalk. A twist down of the rectangle end cap down engages reverse while twisting up illuminates the forward drive gears. Park engages with a push inward of its end cap.
Our Limited tester included a pair of optional 12.3 screens visually commanding the dash morphing into one wide, flat rectangular screen stretching from behind the steering wheel to the center dash. This set-up teams together the digital instrument panel and full-service multi-function infotainment screen with a small barely perceivable black-background break in the middle of the projections. This screen set up works its magic as a standard feature in N-Line while optional in Blue.
Tucson welcomes back physical knobs offering a variety of options when interacting with the screen. A left-side knob operates on/off/volume while a right-side choice controls audio selections. Both reside below the air vent/center trim separate from the long, stretched screen with a half-dozen short-cut push buttons between including home, audio, map, search, track and seek.
Another flat section below tilted out at a slight angle controls HVAC commands with two end dials controlling dual front temperature zones and two rows of touch-sensitive iconed pressure points backlit with white lighting handling direction, speed and heated seats. A pair of USB Type C ports reside below with a floor storage caddie. The armrest between front buckets includes a cover hinged at the back with a deep inside drop.
Top trim Limited includes a visual safety perk also offered within Hyundai's luxury Genesis brand, a blind side visual monitor. Small cameras within side-view mirrors broadcast a live, temporary video of hard-to-detect side activities into the instrument panel. Summon the left turn signal and driver's side live-action activity gets fed into an IP's left-side orb. Signal right and passenger side activity gets highlighted. Once the turn or lane change is complete, the orbs return to their respective speedometer/tachometer IP functions. This useful feature, once privy to luxury monikers, now snakes its way into mainstream brands including Hyundai and Honda.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interplay now come standard across the model lineup. A convenient flat, center console wireless charge pad is standard fare all trims including the entry Blue.
Second row seatbacks fold down semi flat onto seat cushions opening up additional versatility by expanding the cargo region. When prone, rear seatbacks include an adjustable reclining feature tilting back about 30 degrees. A relatively mild vertical hump down the floor's center allows three folks to travel short distances together within the confines of this compact, although two adults is the recommended number as headroom remains at a premium. Two additional Type C USB plug ports await portable devices.
One important aspect Tucson carries forward along with other Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles, the very successful 10-year 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, one of the longest available within the automotive community bringing an additional peace of mind layer to the buying journey. In addition, Hyundai also takes care of the hybrid and electric motor parts with the same 10-year/100,000-mile time frame warranty.
2025 Tucson Hybrid
Price as tested: $42,550
Engine: 1.6-liter turbo inline
Electric motor: 48 kilowatts
Combined Horsepower: 231
Wheelbase: 108.5 inches
Length: 182.7 inches
Height: 66.3 inches
Width: 73.4 inches
Curb weight: 3,906 pounds
Fuel Economy: 35 mpg city/ 35 mpg highway
Powertrain warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
Hybrid/electric motor parts warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
Assembly: Ulsan, South Korea
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