2025 Hyundai Tucson: A Detailed Review

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson is set to make waves in the compact SUV market with its refreshed design and enhanced features. This highly anticipated facelift of the popular Hyundai Tucson promises to deliver a more refined driving experience, both inside and out.

In this detailed review, we will explore the exterior design enhancements, interior upgrades, powertrain options, and advanced safety technologies that make the 2025 Hyundai Tucson a compelling choice for SUV enthusiasts.

Exterior Design Enhancements

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson showcases a refreshed exterior design that enhances its visual appeal and functionality. The front fascia features a new grille with a more aggressive look, complemented by restyled front and rear bumpers. The Parametric Jewel Hidden Lights have been subtly modified, now featuring eight larger lighting elements instead of the previous ten.

Other notable exterior upgrades include:

• A longer rear wiper blade (75 mm) for improved visibility
• New bridge-type raised roof side rails on the outdoor-focused XRT models
• Updated alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 19 inches
• Anodized aluminum badging for a premium touch
• Dark chrome exterior accents on upper trims

These enhancements give the 2025 Tucson a more planted and substantial appearance, while also improving its practicality. The color options are expected to mirror those of the 2024 model, offering a range of choices to suit different preferences.

Interior and Infotainment Upgrades

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson boasts a dramatically transformed interior, featuring a new dashboard design with dual 12.3-inch screens for the gauge cluster and infotainment system. The center stack has been redesigned, replacing touch-sensitive controls with physical buttons and knobs for improved usability. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration come standard, while a 12-inch color Head-Up Display (HUD) and fingerprint authentication sensor are available as optional features.

Other notable interior upgrades include:

• Ample storage space, including a deep parcel shelf for passengers and a wireless charging pad
• USB-C data and charging ports for front and rear passengers, with improved 27-watt charging capability
• Integrated memory system with power driver's seat and outside mirror settings
• Available Bose premium audio system and Wi-Fi hotspot
• Hyundai digital key smartphone app compatibility

The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models share the same interior as the gas model, with the exception of the endline model, which features cloth material on the seats and dash pad. The 2025 Tucson offers a spacious cabin, with 41.3 inches of legroom, making it one of the most accommodating in its class. The cargo area provides 38.7 cubic feet of space with the seats up, ensuring ample room for luggage and gear.

Powertrain and Performance

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson offers a range of powertrain options to suit different driving preferences. The standard 2.5L inline-4 gas engine produces 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup is estimated to achieve 25 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. For those seeking more power and efficiency, the Tucson also comes in hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.

The hybrid powertrain features a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that delivers 178 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an electric motor for a total system output of 231 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid model takes performance a step further, with a high-output 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and a more powerful 72.0-kW electric motor. This combination results in an impressive 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, making it the most potent option in the lineup.

Other notable performance features include:

• Driver-adjustable levels of regenerative braking for improved control and comfort in hybrid and plug-in hybrid models
• An expected 0-60 mph time of just under nine seconds for the gas-powered variant
• A maximum towing capacity of 2,000 lbs (subject to confirmation for the 2025 model)
• Over-the-air (OTA) updates available for the powertrain, ensuring the vehicle remains up-to-date with the latest performance enhancements

Safety and Convenience Technologies

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson offers an array of advanced safety and convenience features designed to enhance the driving experience. Forward Attention Warning (FAW) utilizes an infrared camera to monitor driver attention levels, while Smart Cruise Control 2 can safely bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver is unresponsive. Rear outboard passenger seatbelts now feature standard pretensioners and load limiters for added protection.

Convenience features include:

• Fingerprint authentication sensor for secure vehicle start
• Digital Key 2 Premium for key-fob-free vehicle access
• Automatic fan ventilation after A/C system shutdown

The Tucson also boasts an impressive suite of driver assistance technologies:

• Blind spot collision avoidance assist
• Driver attention warnings
• Automated emergency braking
• Forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection
• Lane departure warnings and lane keep assist
• Blind spot view monitor
• Front and rear parking collision avoidance assist
• Surround view monitor
• Adaptive cruise control with lane centering
• Remote keyless entry and remote smart parking assist

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models offer driver-adjustable levels of regenerative braking for improved control and comfort. These models also come standard with HTRAC all-wheel drive and offer driver-selectable HTRAC Normal, Sport, Snow, and My Drive modes, ensuring optimal performance in various driving conditions.

Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid Variants

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson's hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants offer eco-conscious buyers enhanced capability and performance. Both models now come standard with HTRAC® all-wheel drive (AWD), ensuring optimal traction and stability in various driving conditions, including inclement weather and limited-traction situations. This addition makes the Tucson an attractive choice for those seeking a balance between efficiency and all-weather capability.

While the interior of the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models largely mirrors that of the gas-powered Tucson, the endline model features a unique cloth material on the seats and dash pad, setting it apart from the rest of the lineup. This choice of material adds a touch of distinction to the entry-level hybrid variant.

Hyundai is set to release the updated 2025 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid in the United States later this year, with the model scheduled to reach dealerships by the end of the summer. Pricing for the plug-in hybrid variant will be announced closer to its launch date, giving prospective buyers ample time to plan their purchase.

Conclusion

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson represents a significant step forward in the compact SUV segment, offering a compelling combination of refined design, advanced technology, and impressive performance. With its refreshed exterior, dramatically transformed interior, and a range of powertrain options, the Tucson caters to a wide variety of preferences and needs. The inclusion of standard HTRAC all-wheel drive in the hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants further enhances the vehicle's versatility and all-weather capability.

As Hyundai continues to push the boundaries of innovation and design, the 2025 Tucson stands as a testament to the brand's commitment to delivering high-quality, feature-rich vehicles. With its imminent launch in the United States, the updated Tucson is poised to make a lasting impact on the automotive landscape, setting a new standard for what buyers can expect from a compact SUV.

FAQs

Q: What is the most recommended Hyundai Tucson model for a comfortable ride?
A: For a smoother driving experience, opt for a Hyundai Tucson that comes with either 17-inch alloys, which are standard on the SE Connect model, or 18-inch alloys found on the non-hybrid Premium models. It's worth noting that the 19-inch alloys, which we've tested, may result in a firmer ride on bumpy roads.

Q: Is purchasing a Hyundai Tucson a good investment?
A: The Hyundai Tucson offers a lot of value for the money, providing a comfortable ride and helpful technology features. The Tucson often comes equipped with a range of standard features that might be considered extras in comparable models from other brands. This includes advanced safety features, infotainment systems, and comfort amenities, providing good value for the price. Fuel Efficiency: Depending on the model year and powertrain, the Tucson can offer competitive fuel efficiency, especially in hybrid or plug-in hybrid variants. This efficiency can lead to long-term savings on fuel costs, making it an economical choice for buyers.

Q: During which years were the best Hyundai Tucson models manufactured?
A: The Hyundai Tucson models from the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 are known to be reliable choices. However, it is advisable to steer clear of Tucson models from the years 2011 to 2018, with the exception of the 2013 model. The models from these years have been associated with several issues, including engine problems, sluggish acceleration, and even reports of engine fires.

Q: Which engine option is considered the best for the Hyundai Tucson?
A: If you're interested in a petrol-only Tucson, the best engine available is the 1.6-litre version. This engine, when paired with a manual gearbox, achieves approximately 41.5 miles per gallon (mpg), and with an automatic Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) gearbox, it offers around 43.5 mpg.