What I'm driving: 2025 Hyundai Tucson hybrid
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The hybrid SUV market is getting pretty crowded, but one of my favorites is the Hyundai Tucson hybrid, which was updated for the 2025 model year.
Why it matters: Hyundai has been on a roll lately, growing its U.S. market share with great styling and competitive technology at an affordable price. The five-passenger Tucson is the Korean brand's best-selling model.
What's new: The Tucson gets a bolder grille and a few other styling updates, but the biggest changes are inside, where a new panoramic curved display features a larger, easier-to-use advanced infotainment system.
Nifty new tech features include:
- A fingerprint sensor on the dash so you can start the car without a smart key
- A new "Baby Mode" drive setting, which smoothes acceleration to avoid disturbing your snoozing infant.
Key specs: Powered by a 1.6-liter turbo gas engine mated with a 48-kW electric motor and 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the Tucson hybrid produces 231 horsepower.
- The cheapest hybrid, priced at $33,465, gets 38 mpg, while more upscale versions get 35 mpg. (That compares to 28 mph for the gas-powered Tucson.)
- A 268-hp plug-in hybrid, with a larger motor and battery, can go 33 miles on electricity before the engine kicks in.
Zoom in: I drove the well-equipped Tucson Limited AWD, priced at $42,550, which comes with a long list of safety and technology features, including a new infrared camera for monitoring driver attention.
The bottom line: Hybrids are growing in popularity, and the Hyundai Tucson hybrid, which mixes power and efficiency, is one reason why.
I test drive vehicles in my role as a juror for the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. Opinions are my own.
