Road Test: 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

When Hyundai redesigned the popular Tucson for the 2025 model year, that included their hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.

We tested the hybrid variant recently and came away pleasantly surprised.

For 2025, the hybrid and plug-in variant of the Tucson comes with driver-adjustable levels of regenerative braking, as well as HTRAC all-wheel drive.

Pricing for the hybrid Tucson is quite a bit higher than the gasoline-only version, coming in at $50,234.50 as tested, roughly 7K more than our previous XRT tester.

But it comes with a lengthy list of standard fare such as heated rear seats, head-up display, Bose premium audio system with eight speakers, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, leather seating, ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and much more.

Powertrain: The Tucson powertrain uses a 1.6-litre turbocharged gasoline engine paired to a hybrid setup and delivers a combined 231 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which are excellent numbers.

Unlike the gas-only model’s eight-speed automatic transmission, the hybrid and PHEV get a six-speed gearbox that Hyundai says was specifically designed for optimal performance.

The drive was quite a bit peppier that the gasoline-only setup.

And I was impressed that I was able to match the estimated combined fuel economy average of 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres during my week with it, almost 4.0 L/100 less than I averaged in the ICE model.

Exterior: There is very little difference between the Tucson trims externally, other than the hybrid badge on the cargo hatch.

The crossover was redesigned for 2025, with upgraded front and rear fascia, a new grille, and an update to the Tucson’s daytime running lights, which are a signature feature.

The hybrid also has 19-inch ally wheels, up from the 18-inchers on the gas-only models.

Interior: Like the rest of the Tucson lineup, the hybrid has the new-look cabin, which includes the impressive, curved panoramic display that dominates the dash and incorporates the digital gauge cluster.

With comfortable leather seating, including heated and ventilated front seats, the cabin is very welcoming.

Most controls are easily at hand and feature a mix of knobs, switches, and touchscreen controls for functionality.

Infotainment: The second half of that panoramic screen houses the infotainment system, which is paired to the Bose eight-speaker setup for good sound quality.

It comes equipped with satellite radio, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and wireless device charging.

It was easy to pair the phone for Apple CarPlay and overall, the system worked very well as menus were clear and easy to navigate, with no lag in response times.

Drive: The extra power was noticeable for me in the Tucson hybrid compared to its gasoline-only sibling.

Acceleration was smooth and the overall ride feel was sure footed thanks to the suspension setup and all-wheel drive system. The steering feel was also well weighted I found.

The Tucson features drive modes such as Eco, Sport, and My Drive, as well as Mud, Snow and Sand to be able to handle any types of road conditions.

For young parents out there, it also has what is called Baby Mode to help further smooth our initial acceleration and driver inputs.

The hybrid also has a new Green Zone drive mode for EV-only driving in urban areas.

The cabin is also well insulated from outside road noise, adding to the enjoyment.

Conclusion: Having compared the Tucson hybrid and gas-only models fairly close together, both are very good choices.

And despite the extra outlay of capital on the hybrid, it would be my choice for overall driving enjoyment – not to mention the fuel savings.

2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
Price as tested: $50,234.50
Freight: $2,000.00
Configuration: Front engine/All-wheel drive
Engine/transmission: 1.6-litre turbo 4-cylinder hybrid/ 6-speed automatic
Power/torque: 231 horsepower/ 258 lb-ft of torque (combined)
Fuel (capacity): Regular (52 L)
Combined fuel economy ratings (L/100 km): 6.7 L/100 km
Observed fuel economy (L/100 km): 6.7 L/100 km
Warranties: 5-years/100,000 km (basic)
Competitors: Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, Kia Sportage Hybrid, Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Website: Hyundai Canada