Hyundai Tucson Hybrid review
The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is a stylish, well built and practical hybrid family SUV that's up there with the best contenders in its class
Pros
- Striking looks
- Great to drive
- Impressive build quality
Cons
- Not the most fun-to-drive SUV
- Plug-in version will be more efficient
- More expensive then previous models
| Car type | Fuel economy | CO2 emissions | 0-62mph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 50mpg | 127-131g/km | 8.0s |
The Hyundai Tucson looks like it could be a concept car on a motor-show stand, but it’s not just the dramatic styling that helps it to stand out. The Tucson has plenty of great qualities that mean it’s worth considering - though it does have plenty of strong rivals including the Vauxhall Grandland, Peugeot 3008, Kia Niro, Ford Kuga and Toyota RAV4.
There are even more rivals to consider, though; hybrid SUVs are very much the trend right now, so there’s also the Honda CR-V and Citroen C5 Aircross. And the Hyundai’s high-quality interior means even the likes of the Lexus NX, Audi Q3 and Volkswagen Tiguan can be considered as rivals
The Tucson’s look has an almost sci-fi feel to it, thanks to the rows of LED projector lights and the sharp bodywork styling. Hyundai’s cars were once dull and bland, but these days they’re anything but, at least when it comes to design. The Tucson itself has become a very distinctive car despite previous models being very ordinary.
There are normal petrol and mild hybrid options, but here we’re looking at the full hybrid version, which uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a small (1.49kWh) battery. The combined output of these is 227bhp, using a six-speed automatic gearbox. There are front and four-wheel drive models available.
There’s also a plug-in hybrid, which could present the option for even lower running costs if you have somewhere to charge it overnight. If not, this hybrid model is the best option for low running costs, since it returns around 50mpg and emits 131g/km of CO2.
The Tucson is a great all-rounder. It’s comfortable and composed, and while it’s not as much fun as a Ford Kuga on a twisty road, it’s decent to drive as well. It has a high-quality interior that feels upmarket and well-built, plus its hybrid powertrain works very well – it’s efficient and switches seamlessly between electric and engine power while on the move.
Overall, the latest Tucson is one of the finest mid-sized SUVs on the market. There’s a powertrain to suit all needs (apart from a pure-electric option) and every important aspect has been carefully considered and well executed – including some genuine showroom appeal. Throw in Hyundai's excellent warranty and strong reliability record and things start to look even more promising for the South Korean brand's latest effort. For a more detailed look at the latest Tucson, read on for the rest of our in-depth review...
