Our Thoughts Exactly: 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

If you read recently, I was hospitalized as my left foot took another turn towards the worst. Luckily, I’m OK for now.

However, I cannot stop the workflow. Nor will I curtail any work towards talking about the latest vehicles you might be interested in knowing more about. 

Simply put, the show must go on!

This is where George comes in. We both have approved access to these vehicles towards evaluation and content creation based on those impressions. Knowing we had a new schedule set up for after the Chicago Auto Show, George and I agreed to pivot having him work with these vehicles as I recover from my procedures and therapies. He has done this on occasion, so these impressions are his own.

The first vehicle to arrive is the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited. The popular SUV competes well with others in its class by offering a variety of propulsion options and trim levels to fit both lifestyles and budgets. 

The arrival of its current iteration a few years ago yielded some feedback that were a mixed bag. The advanced exterior design attracted those who truly want to stand out. However, the haptic-touch driven interior yielded more questions and concerns than praise.

For 2025, Hyundai went to work to address these concerns. The result is a familiar, but effective solution for the interior while keeping the essence of this current generation model intact.

The only noticeable change on the exterior is the revised front clip. There are subtle hints of grille and driving lamp changes, but nothing completely dramatic. The lower part of the clip is not so subtle, as it has been framed with angles creating a wider lower grille. Perhaps it is the satin chrome trim around this feature that made it pop. 

Hyundai left everything else alone. The silhouette is contemporary, as are the shapes along the lower part of the body. They even left the rear end with its double vertical taillamps alone. Again, if there were any modifications, they are indeed subtle.

The Hybrid Limited tester came with five-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels. They add more aerodynamic functionality, while giving it a sportier look. However, we did notice that power fold/unfolding mirrors were not equipped on this tester. In all, the exterior of the Tucson played a significant role on shaping the latest design languages at Hyundai.

As we pointed out earlier, the biggest change in the 2025 Tucson is the dashboard and cockpit. The flat panel houses two 12.3-inch screens, similar to ones found on the most recent Hyundai models. On the Hybrid Limited, the instrument cluster is fully digital and has plenty of customization. When signally your turn, the dials turn into Blind Spot Rear View Monitors. The second screen is for the infotainment system. The touch capacitive screen is now the hub for wireless smartphone integration. 

The climate controls are now located below the right screen just above the center console. It is a mix of tactile and digital controls and prompts. The shifter is not a rigid stalk on the right side of the steering column. This opened up a lot if space on the center console for stowage, cupholders, and the wireless device charger. We should also mention that there is a slither of stowage between the armrest and the console stowage itself. 

While the dashboard and center console has changed, the rest of the Tucson’s interior has not. Perforated leather seats offered some support and comfort on our Hybrid Limited tester. The rear seats offer excellent leg and head room, along with solid comfort. Plus, we enjoyed a very spacious cargo hold. With the second-row seats up, there is 41.2 cubic feet of space. Fold those seats down, and the cargo hold expands to 80.0 cubic feet. 

Hybrid models continue to get the combination of a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, an electric motor and battery pack. Combined, it puts down 231 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque. This driveline also adds a six-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. 

The driveline is very good when you are putting through the paces around town. Any highway or somewhat spirited driving might let you down a bit. The system is quiet, however there may be noise when you have to do hard acceleration. Nothing unusual, really. As for fuel economy, the Environmental Protection Agency states that it will average 35 MPG on a combined loop. 

The ride quality is smooth and compliant. Maneuverability was good overall. It is a nice riding SUV that will not offend a lot of folks. Lean and roll were quite manageable, as well. 

Steering action, response, and on-center feelwere nicely weighted, but the Tucson Hybrid never felt overboosted. This yielded a good turning radius. We also found the brakes to be very good. Pedal effort felt great, and it was nicely calibrated. We found the regenerative brakes to be unnoticeable. 

There is a total of 11 2025 Hyundai Tucsons to choose from – four if which are hybrids along with two plug-in hybrid models. The entire lineup starts from $28,605, whereas hybrid models start from $33,395. Our Hybrid Limited AWD tester came in with a sticker price of $42,550. 

This is Hyundai’s top selling model in this country. A far cry from the original Tucson of some 20-plus years ago. Clearly a far cry from the first offerings in North America – the Pony, followed by the Excel. The advancements made on its popularly sized SUV has put into the race with its competitors. All of which point to one thing: Relevance. 

It is because if its relevance is why Hyundai worked on the mid-cycle refresh of the 2025 Tucson. The interior updates are indeed praiseworthy. The simple act of increasing stowage on the center console should be one reason why that you choose the Tucson in the first place. 

There are many other reasons. However, we did find the 2025 Tucson Hybrid a pleasant vehicle to tool around in. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Hyundai Motor America – Our opinions are of our own

All photos by George Torline