2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD: Extra Power and Efficiency
2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD
RRP $ 37,350.00
"The Tucson Hybrid sets the bar for efficiency and performance paired with technology."
advantages
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Unique look
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Luxurious cabin
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Seriously efficient
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Impressive technology
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Charges
disadvantage
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Intrusive touch controls
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Wireless smartphone compatibility only with standard screen
Hyundai designers have made a name for themselves as some of the best in the business over the past few years. Fancy designs will only get you so far, however.
It's good that the completely redesigned 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is so much more than just a pretty face. There is a lot of substance underneath. So much so that the Tucson Hybrid sets the high water mark in its class. In the pursuit of improved fuel economy, the Tucson Hybrid also comes with a healthy performance boost over the regular Tucson.
The compact hybrid scene is still relatively new. There are few competitors, and all of them match or improve the Tucson Hybrid's fuel economy. There is the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the Honda CR-V Hybrid. Not exactly a crowded market, but there are some heavyweights. Seeing the Tucson Hybrid hold up against just such an established group speaks volumes for how far the model has come compared to the previous generation.
The base 2022 Tucson Hybrid starts at $ 30,235 with the required target fee of $ 1,185. Our test car with exceptionally soft carpeting was the top Tucson Hybrid Limited, which is priced at $ 38,730.
Interior and exterior design
Joel Patel / Digital Trends
Joel Patel / Digital Trends
Joel Patel / Digital Trends
Joel Patel / Digital Trends
With so many SUVs on the streets these days, designers are struggling to find ways to distinguish their models from others. Others may obviously have problems, but Hyundai designers are thriving, producing hits at an impressive rate. When we say the Tucson Hybrid looks different than anything else on the market, we mean it. Identical twins, the Tucson and Santa Cruz even look like weird ducklings in the Hyundai family.
Usually something that looks this good requires some kind of compromise on the inside.
It starts with the weird grille, which has a jewel-like finish and is part of what Hyundai calls a "Parametric Dynamics" design. The daytime running lights of the SUV are integrated directly into the radiator grille and provide a fascinating view at night. The rest of the package is just as impressive, with enough wedges and chiseled lines to cosplay as a 190s sports car.
Usually something that looks this good requires some kind of compromise on the inside. Fortunately, there are no compromises to be found. In contrast to the plug-in hybrid powertrain, which eats its way into the cargo space, the hybrid fits the regular Tucson. There is 38.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 74.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. Rear passengers get 41.3 inches of rear legroom, more space than any direct competitor for the Tucson Hybrid.
Joel Patel / Digital Trends
Joel Patel / Digital Trends
Joel Patel / Digital Trends
Joel Patel / Digital Trends
The Tucson Hybrid's interior design may not generate the same shock and awe as the exterior, but it feels especially upscale for a compact hybrid at this price point. Our limited test equipment included leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, an electric tailgate and ventilated front seats. The natural rounding of the air nozzles and the course of the center console appear modern and yet remain functional. Materials also feel classy as others in the segment tend to use hard plastics that look and feel unsightly. A couple of glossy black panels are a fingerprint magnet, but that's the biggest problem we could find.
Technology, infotainment and driver assistance
Joel Patel / Digital Trends
Typically, automakers tend to reserve their best features for higher trim levels. That's not exactly the case with the Tucson Hybrid. The standard 8-inch touchscreen offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, satellite radio, two USB ports on the front and back, and Bluetooth. The Limited equipment we tested included a 10.25-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instrument, wireless device charging, navigation, and a Bose audio system. Oddly enough, the larger touchscreen loses compatibility with wireless smartphones for old-fashioned wired connectivity. That's an annoying decision given all of the other high-end features that the larger touchscreen is paired with.
While the 10.25-inch touchscreen is one of the reasons for upgrading to a higher level of equipment, the 10.25-inch digital instrument feels like it could be more useful.
The larger touchscreen offers crisp graphics and simple menus, but you lose rotary knobs and traditional buttons for functions like adjusting the volume and adjusting the radio. All buttons on the center console of the SUV are touch-sensitive and picky. The volume buttons have to be pressed several times, for example, in order to sensibly increase or decrease the system volume of the audio system. The smooth look of the center console is appealing, but we prefer a classic switchgear.
Joel Patel / Digital Trends
While the 10.25-inch touchscreen is one of the reasons for upgrading to a higher level of equipment, the 10.25-inch digital instrument feels like it could be more useful. For example, it lacks the customization that Volkswagen offers in its digital cockpit instrument cluster. The available Bose audio system sounds good, but I still fondly remember the old Harman Kardon system. However, if you're more interested in tuning things than pumping the cabin with noise, Hyundai offers a unique "nature sounds" setting to play quieter sounds like "rainy day", "warm fireplace" and "busy forest".
Hyundai offers its SmartSense suite with advanced security features for many of its vehicles, although the suite's features differ depending on the vehicle. The standard safety features of the Tucson Hybrid include front collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic warning. Also standard is the safe exit warning, which warns you if you open the door and if a vehicle is approaching from behind.
Higher equipment variants, such as the Limited we tested, are equipped with parking sensors, a parking camera with all-round visibility and a remote-controlled intelligent parking assistant. While the system doesn't work nearly as smoothly as it does in the displays, it can be helpful in making sure you leave enough room in tight spaces.
Experience at the wheel
The Tucson Hybrid comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a 44.2 kW electric motor for a combined output of 226 hp. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive as standard. This value makes the Tucson Hybrid one of the most powerful hybrids in its class. The CR-V Hybrid (212 PS), the RAV4 Hybrid (219 PS) and the Escape Hybrid (200 PS) all fall behind slightly. It even beats the regular Tucson gasoline engine by 39 horses.
Joel Patel / Digital Trends
Unsurprisingly, it also delivers more straight-line oomph than the regular Tucson. The hybrid powertrain lets most of its muscles play off the line, but still has a lot of pulling power on the autobahn. Unlike other hybrids, the Tucson Hybrid's powertrain uses a six-speed automatic transmission instead of a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). It delivers well-timed shifts, which can be a problem with CVTs, and even allows manual shifting with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, although they feel out of place.
Whether you're driving around town or taking the final leg of a road trip, the Tucson Hybrid offers a comfortable, smooth ride. The sophisticated driving style of the SUV is reminiscent of some of the past classes. The hybrid powertrain ensures that it stays quiet inside, but a sharp step on the gas pedal brings a lot of engine noise into the cabin.
Take the Tucson Hybrid around a curve and it will surprise you with crisp steering and confident handling. Unlike other hybrids in the class, the Tucson Hybrid doesn't sway wildly around corners, making it one of the more athletic options in the class.
Gas mileage and safety
Joel Patel / Digital Trends
The Tucson Hybrid falls behind the competition in terms of fuel economy, but is still insanely efficient. The entry-level blue is rated at 38 mpg combined (38 mpg city, 38 mpg highway) while the rest of the lineup is rated at 37 mpg combined (37 mpg city, 36 mpg highway). The Escape Hybrid leads the segment with an overall rating of 41 mpg, while the RAV4 Hybrid follows just behind with an overall rating of 40 mpg.
In tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2022 Tucson received a “Top Safety Pick +” rating. The SUV received the grade “Good” and the top grade “Superior” for its front crash prevention technology in all crash tests. The headlight ratings range from “acceptable” to “good”. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet crash tested the 2022 Tucson.
Hyundai offers a 5-year base warranty of 60,000 miles and a 10-year powertrain warranty of 100,000 miles. A 10-year guarantee with 100,000 miles applies to the hybrid components of the SUV. These are above average for the guarantees for the segment. Honda, Toyota and Ford all offer their hybrids with a three-year base warranty of 36,000 miles and a five-year warranty of 60,000 miles. Toyota and Honda cover the battery components of their hybrid vehicles with a 10-year guarantee of 150,000 miles, depending on the purchase condition.
How DT would configure this car
Since the Tucson Hybrid has a slightly lower fuel consumption than its competitors and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the smaller touchscreen, we think the basic blue is the best choice. It's also not about sparing on features, as it comes with heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, four USB ports, Hyundai's SmartSense safety features and an electrically adjustable driver's seat.
Our opinion
The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid isn't the most fuel-efficient compact SUV on the market, but it's still one of the best options. Not only is it more enjoyable to drive and more sophisticated than other options, but it also offers more power and more impressive technology. It's the gold standard for the segment.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, and Honda CR-V Hybrid all match or have better fuel economy values than the Tucson Hybrid. But they all offer smaller cargo areas, less legroom in the rear, smaller touchscreens and only wired smartphone compatibility. The Escape Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid are slightly cheaper than the Tucson Hybrid, but have interior materials that match their lower prices.
Unless you're looking for a luxury hybrid from Lexus, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln or Volvo, the Tucson Hybrid is the best choice in the affordable compact class.
Should you get one?
Yes sir. The Tucson Hybrid is the best of its kind.
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