2025 HYUNDAI TUCSON SUV COMES IN GAS, HYBRID, AND PLUG-IN HYBRID VERSIONS

NEW YORK—The 2025 Hyundai Tucson SUV debuted at the New York Auto Show today with a full set of powertrain options: Gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

"The refreshed 2025 Tucson SUV expands the appeal of our full-spectrum eco-powertrain approach,” says José Muñoz, president and global COO of Hyundai Motor Company and president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America.

Hyundai has not released pricing yet. For reference, the 2024 gas-powered version starts at $27,500, the hybrid version starts at $32,575, and the PHEV starts at $38,725—one of the few PHEVs on the market below $40,000.

Higher Hybrid Horsepower, New Regenerative Braking

Though the gas-powered version is the most affordable, hybrid and PHEV drivers can spend less time refueling and more time enjoying enhanced performance.

The hybrid models have more horsepower, at 231 for the basic hybrid and 238 for the plug-in, compared to 187 horsepower for the gas-powered model. In addition, the hybrid models come with e-Motion technology, which Hyundai says improves handling and heightens "driver confidence."

The PHEV comes with the added benefit of being able to drive on pure electricity with a backup gas tank for longer trips. Hyundai has not released the 2025 all-electric range, but the 2024 model has a 33-mile range, which is on the higher end of the market. Based on PCMag's conversations with Hyundai, we are not expecting a significant increase in range for 2025.

But we do know the 2025 model will charge in under two hours on a level 2 charger, and it features a new driver-adjustable regenerative braking system to recoup the battery while driving. The previous Tucson automatically applied the same amount of braking and deceleration when the driver took their foot off the pedal. In the 2025 version, drivers can choose how aggressively the vehicle decelerates when they take their foot off.

"It just depends on driver preference and driving conditions," says Derek Joyce, senior PR manger at Hyundai. "Some people like aggressive, some people like mild, and either way you can change it on the go. If you're in heavy traffic, you might want mild because the car behind you doesn't expect you to be decelerating quickly."

Tech Glow-Up, 12-Inch HUD Screen

The 2025 Tucson SUV also got a "cabin glow-up," with new tech such as USB-C charge ports for front seat passengers, fingerprint biometrics to start the car without a key, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration.

An upgraded dash screen promises to be more intuitive, with a few new physical buttons for quick adjustments, something Hyundai has vowed to keep for safety reasons. "In our research, we found there were still a few primary control functions that drivers like that for functions like audio volume, heat, and air conditioning," says Joyce.

On the windshield, drivers will see a new 12-inch, full-color head-up display (HUD). It offers an easy-to-see alternative to the dash screen and displays turn-by-turn navigation, including from Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

"You're getting more of your CarPlay data projected onto the HUD area and people will be used to that display and functionality," says Joyce.

In the backseat, infants and pets can enjoy a smoother ride with Baby Mode. This driver-selectable setting helps "reduce the sharpness of initial acceleration" and create a "more serene experience". It joins a list of other drive modes, such as Sport and Snow, which come standard on the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions "to meet the needs of eco-minded buyers seeking enhanced capability in inclement weather and limited-traction situations."

2024-03-27T14:10:27Z dg43tfdfdgfd