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Professionals: All-star hybrid powertrain; wonderful tech; large cargo space; high-quality cabin
Cons: Unhappy sack base engine; some bizarre inside controls; a bit blah to drive
It’s a must to give the designers of the 2023 Hyundai Tucson credit score: They actually went for it. In a section lengthy recognized for bland anonymity, the Tucson is an explosion of sharp creases, odd bulges and a smiling grille that lights up on its edges like a Vegas marquee. The wheel arches are angular moderately than precise arches, there are diamond shapes embossed within the rear bumper, and LED taillights that dangle from a full-width mild bar like Dracula fangs. There’s A LOT occurring. Possibly an excessive amount of, however hey, higher than boring.
And, importantly, all the above adorns a strong entry within the ultra-competitive compact SUV section. It’s actually massive, for one, besting the cargo capability of the Toyota RAV4 and last-gen CR-V, and providing related passenger-hauling functionality. It has a nicer inside than each, too, with significantly better infotainment and security know-how. The Tucson Hybrid’s powertrain can be an all-star, uniquely combining a turbocharged engine, electrical motor and six-speed automated to create a powertrain that’s surprisingly highly effective and refined, thrifty as anticipated, and pleasingly regular to drive. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid steps all that up even additional. Sadly, the bottom engine is an actual slug, and worse, is the one strategy to get the extra characterful N Line and XRT trim ranges. We’d seemingly select one other compact SUV over a gas-only Tucson, however the Hybrid? Positively examine that out. And if A LOT is just not what you’re going for stylistically, the 2023 Kia Sportage is mechanically associated.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gas Economic system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & Security Options
What’s new for 2023?
Ahead collision warning and adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality at the moment are normal on each trim stage, whereas all however the base trim now comes normal with a hands-free liftgate and wi-fi machine charging. That is additionally the primary full mannequin 12 months for the plug-in hybrid, the sportier Tucson N Line and the extra rugged Tucson XRT.
What are the Tucson inside and in-car know-how like?
In a section the place many opponents go along with a extra practical aesthetic, the Hyundai Tucson is extra fashionable, extra tech-focused and extra premium. We particularly just like the dash-width vents and material trim. Plastics and switchgear are of a top quality as effectively. There are some key variations based mostly on trim stage, nevertheless. Apart from upholstery and coloration selections, the middle stack controls truly differ. The SE and SEL include an 8-inch touchscreen, whereas an improve 10.25-inch widescreen unit is normal on every part else (plus the SEL’s Comfort package deal). Their primary person interface is comparable, however the greater display will increase performance. Unusually, solely the 8-inch display is appropriate with wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; the bigger unit requires a wired connection. That is true of most up-to-date Hyundai merchandise, and the ten.25-inch system will get new {hardware} in future mannequin years to handle this.
With both, Hyundai ditched a conventional quantity knob and different bodily controls, which is a downgrade. The 8-inch display is paired scroll wheels for quantity and tuning (under left), which is technically higher than the tap-tap-tapping you need to do with the all-touch controls paired with the ten.25-inch unit (under proper), however they’re nonetheless unusual. Contact-sensitive controls have additionally traditionally been troublesome to seek out and efficiently press whereas driving, and these aren’t any completely different. All that piano black trim additionally means tons and plenty of fingerprints.
In any other case, the entrance seats are snug and supportive with wonderful adjustment on greater trims (base fashions get simply six-way handbook adjustment). Rear-seat recline and distant fold-down options are normal, and heating for the rear bench is offered on the range-topping Restricted mannequin.
How massive is the Tucson?
For one thing dubbed a “compact SUV,” the reply is “very massive.” With somewhat assist from its new, bigger platform, the Tucson grew significantly inside for the 2022 mannequin 12 months. It’s now nearly precisely the identical dimension as a Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and its mechanically associated Kia Sportage cousin, making it one of many largest within the section. Apart from providing loads of room for adults, we might simply match a rear-facing youngster seat whereas sustaining loads of house up entrance for driver and passenger.
Behind the raised again seat, Hyundai now claims 38.7 cubic toes of rear cargo room, which places it proper between the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. At the least on paper. As we found in our Tucson baggage take a look at, the brand new Tucson can truly maintain a bit greater than them relating to precise stuff. There may be an asterisk, although. Though the Tucson Hybrid has the identical cargo capability on paper because the gas-only model, it doesn’t have a spare tire (just like the CR-V Hybrid, however in contrast to the RAV4 Hybrid). So, you do lose one thing by including batteries — it is simply not apparent on the spec sheet or when loading luggage.
What are the Tucson gas financial system and efficiency specs?
The Tucson comes normal with a 2.5-liter inline-four that produces an satisfactory however uninspiring 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration assessments from numerous publications have proven a 0-60 “dash” takes greater than 9 seconds, making it one of many slowest autos within the section. EPA gas financial system estimates for 2023 weren’t accessible on the time of this writing for any Tucson, nevertheless it’s unlikely they’d change considerably from their ultimate 2022 estimates. These have been 26 mpg metropolis, 33 mpg freeway and 29 mpg mixed with normal front-wheel drive and 24/29/26 mpg with elective all-wheel drive.
The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is a considerably more sensible choice than the bottom engine because it represents each a gas financial system and efficiency improve. Its mixture of 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four, electrical motor and six-speed automated transmission produces a complete output of 226 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. That’s an enormous bounce and one you’ll discover behind the wheel. All-wheel drive is normal, and in contrast to the Toyota RAV4, it’s an precise mechanical AWD system moderately than a “through-the-road” system that makes use of an extra electrical motor to energy the rear wheels. Final 12 months’s gas financial system estimates have been 37 mpg metropolis, 36 mpg freeway and 37 mpg mixed or 38/38/38 for the bottom Tucson Hybrid Blue trim stage.
The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid principally provides a considerably bigger battery pack and a extra highly effective electrical motor to the Tucson Hybrid powertrain. This leads to a rise to 261 hp and the identical 258 lb-ft of torque, but additionally permits for 33 miles of all-electric vary and a score of 80 MPG-e from the EPA. That isn’t fairly as thrifty because the Toyota RAV4 Prime and Ford Escape PHEV, but when your commute and each day errands fall inside that 33 miles (a robust risk), you’re nonetheless going to be hardly ever filling up.
What is the Tucson wish to drive?
We described the bottom engine as “satisfactory however uninspiring” above, which might be a bit beneficiant. Its sluggish throttle response and reliance on downshifting to take care of pace makes it irritating to drive in visitors because the eight-speed automated hunts for gears. Extra succinctly, it’s simply gradual, even for a section the place swift acceleration isn’t anticipated. Sadly, the Tucson’s two most distinctive trim ranges, the sporty N Line (above left) and off-roadish XRT (above proper), come solely with the bottom engine.
We subsequently extremely suggest the Tucson Hybrid. Not solely does it have a greater powertrain than the bottom engine, it’s probably the greatest choices in the whole section. Its typical transmission and turbocharged engine present a quieter and extra regular driving expertise than that of different hybrid SUVs, whereas the turbo-plus-electric-motor combo makes it really feel notably gutsier round city and when merging onto the freeway. The Tucson PHEV, in the meantime, successfully provides much more easy, easy electrical energy to the Hybrid driving expertise together with all-electric vary.
As for the driving expertise past the engines, effectively … it’s not significantly memorable. Physique motions are well-controlled, the steering is exact sufficient, and though the journey could also be too agency for some, it doesn’t enterprise into the land of uncomfortable. Frankly, that is moderately par for the course with Hyundais. Mainly, you’re not going to purchase the Tucson for the way in which it drives (OK, past the candy turbocharged hybrid powertrain), nevertheless it additionally gained’t put you off until you really need one thing with verve. In that case, one of many Toyota RAV4’s SE trim ranges, together with the Prime, in addition to the Mazda CX-50 can be good calls.
What different Hyundai Tucson opinions can I learn?
2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV First Drive Review
Full driving impressions and particulars in regards to the plug-in hybrid Tucson.
2022 Hyundai Tucson First Drive Review
We spent a while with each the two.5-liter and hybrid fashions.
2022 Hyundai Tucson driveway and infotainment take a look at
The dearth of a quantity knob is disappointing, however the loaded-up Tucson’s infotainment continues to be fairly good.
@autoblog The inside of the 2021 Hyundai Tucson is a really good place to be ##hyundai ##automobiles ##carsoftiktok
♬ authentic sound – Autoblog
2022 Hyundai Tucson Baggage Take a look at
We discover out that the Tucson can haul extra baggage than some other compact SUV we have examined. It could or could not include a spare tire, although.
What’s the 2023 Hyundai Tucson worth?
Sadly, pricing was not accessible for the 2023 Tucson on the time of this writing. You’ll, nevertheless, have the ability to discover it right here at any time when it turns into accessible for the gas-only Tucson, the Tucson Hybrid and the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.
As for trim ranges, the bottom SE is simply accessible with the fuel engine. The Hybrid’s Blue trim is akin to the SEL, whereas the Plug-In Hybrid is obtainable solely because the SEL and Restricted. For probably the most half, these trim ranges signify the same old ladder format of extra consolation and comfort tools being added with every rung.
The N Line and XRT are completely different, nevertheless. Each are unique to the bottom engine (boooo), however include some fascinating type upgrades. The N Line has a sporty look, with intricate 19-inch wheels, blacked out grille and badge, completely different decrease fascia, body-colored fender flares, a particular shift knob and leather-based sport seats with material inserts. There aren’t any mechanical upgrades. The Tucson XRT is a quasi-rugged providing. It will get burlier matte-finish fender flares, barely completely different entrance and rear fascias, its personal 19-inch wheels, crossbars mounted to the Tucson’s normal flush facet rails, and a trailer hitch (most likely for one thing like a motorcycle rack or Yakima’s Exo system moderately than truly towing). Curiously, it additionally contains operating boards. Contemplating the XRT has no floor clearance enhance, these truly harm its functionality off-road.
What are the Tucson security rankings and driver help options?
Each 2023 Tucson contains ahead collision warning and automated emergency braking (with pedestrian and bike owner detection), blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping help, a driver inattention warning system, safe-exit warning to forestall opening doorways into automobiles or cyclists, and adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality. The Restricted provides reverse automated braking, entrance and rear parking sensors, the blind-spot digicam system that shows within the instrument panel, a surround-view parking digicam system and Hyundai’s Freeway Driving Help, which provides lane-centering steering help to the adaptive cruise management system. The ACC additionally will get an improve within the XRT, N Line and Restricted that makes use of the navigation system to extend the steering help functionality on winding roads.
The Tucson acquired 5 out of 5 stars for crash safety from the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security gave it the very best accolade of High Security Choose+ for its best-possible efficiency in crashworthiness and crash prevention (aka the efficiency of all these energetic security doo-dads up there). Its normal headlights have been rated “Acceptable,” whereas the Restricted’s acquired a “Good.”
