2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid SUV

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is essentially a continuation of the 2022 model, with the exception of a few features that were optional being standard with the notable change being the forward collision warning with Junction Turning Assist and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go coming in as standard on all trims. The three trim levels are Blue Hybrid, SEL Convenience Hybrid, and Limited Hybrid. The SUV will start selling from $30,900 and go all the way to $38,660. There won’t be any mechanical changes across the various trims but the price segregation is don’t based on the features list and safety tech they carry. Unlike the base variant on the gasoline version which carries a very limited set of features, the Blue Hybrid trim comes with a long list of features as standard such as a power adjustable driver’s seat, keyless entry with pushbutton start, AC vents for the rear passengers, USB ports for the rear passengers, and much more.

We Recommend

Considering the low price difference between the base trim and the mid-level trim, we recommend picking the SEL Convenience Hybrid as it packs in tons of additional features. The jump to the top variant takes a lot more additional budget and hence, the mid-ranger holds the value.

Release Date

The standard Tucson was unveiled in the month of July 2022 while the Tucson Hybrid is said to hit the dealers towards the end of summer. While official dates aren’t available, interested buyers can start flocking up to the dealers in the second half of September 2022.

The Tucson Hybrid is an outstanding performer in the hybrid SUV segment, despite what is generally assumed about Hyundai vehicles. The hybrid 1.6L Turbocharged Inline 4 paired with the 44.2 kW electric motor is a willing sprinter, and it offers a comfortable, smooth driving experience with minor flaws. The steering is precise, and the handling stays composed through tight curves. The Tucson Hybrid accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in under 7.8 seconds, which isn't slow by any means for a hybrid SUV. When you need power, the conventional 6-speed automatic transmission is eager to provide it. The responsiveness of the brakes is also a plus but beware that the crossover occasionally dips forward slightly when braking hard and the clumsy gearshifts become noticeable at low speeds. Overall, the drive is delightful, and the communication between the engine and electric power is seamless.

The Hyundai happens to hold a very different engine setup when compared to all its rivals. Despite having a smaller 1.6L engine, the turbocharger helps make more power than other SUVs but unfortunately, the Hyundai does not put out acceleration that is quick enough to place itself on the top of the table. By no means is the Tucson Hybrid slow by the market standards but both the Toyota and Honda manage to hit 60 mph much quicker. A major reason for this is the transmission used as the 6-speed automatic seems to be clunky and unrefined, leaving the shifts to suffer while all its rivals use a CVT that operates smoother in comparison. The Ford however takes the last spot as it’s tuned to be a calm rider with power figures much lower than what is produced by other vehicles.

2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Ride and Handling

The Tucson has superb ride quality and handling, which is further good news. In contrast to the majority of other SUVs of this type, it has steering that is more precise, substantial, and accurate, and there is a satisfying lack of body lean when turning. Even on the large 19-inch wheels, the ride is still fairly comfortable despite being rather stiff. The ride and handling on the Tucson are clearly ahead of what is offered by the majority of its rivals.

2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Braking Performance

The braking stability on the Tucson Hybrid cannot be called perfect but does a decent job in keeping the vehicle stable when suddenly slowing down. The front brakes carry 12.8-inch discs that are vented to allow better cooling while the rear wheels carry 12.0-inch discs. The Tucson hybrid does have a slight amount of nose dive when braking but it feels about right for an SUV. The brake pedal has an average travel that isn’t hard to apply but there is a slight steering wiggle and pedal pulse when slamming the brakes.

Hyundai has equipped the Tucson Hybrid with the largest brakes in the segment but that doesn’t help the car stop in the shortest distance. The Hyundai takes 129 feet to come to a complete stop from 60 mph, which isn’t great in any way as the Toyota manages to achieve it in just 115 feet despite being heavier than the Hyundai. The Honda performs much better than the Hyundai despite being the heaviest car here and even though the Ford hasn’t been tested, its lower curb weight could help it achieve a good stopping distance.

The Tucson Hybrid's combined fuel economy rating is 38 mpg, which is excellent for an SUV but among the lowest in this market for hybrid SUVs. On a highway test in the real world, it got 34 mpg. While frustrating, it's not uncommon for hybrids to fall short of their EPA ratings over a long distance. However, running errands around town on a daily basis consistently produced 39 mpg or greater. A major reason why people choose to pick a hybrid is for the extended fuel economy and despite burning lesser fuel than the regular gasoline car, there are other hybrid SUVs that cover better distances than the Hyundai.

The Hyundai clearly takes a fall in this aspect and even though the Honda pumps out an identical combined figure, its larger tank saves it from visiting multiple gas stations. Those looking for the highest gas mileage could opt for the Ford and it was obvious that the escape would top the table considering that Ford never focused on performance and power. Toyota being a reputed player in this segment closely follows with an impressive 580 miles of combined range. However, the lower gas mileage on the Hyundai isn’t all that surprising considering that it’s a rather new player in the market of well-seasoned hybrids.

Tucson Hybrid has a straightforward but contemporary dashboard with a digital gauge display, a push-button shifter, and a touch-sensitive infotainment control panel. Hyundai's flagship Palisade SUV and the recently updated Sonata and Elantra sedans have acted as a kind of defining moment for the company's interior designs, and the new Tucson Hybrid seems to carry the trend with a thoughtfully structured cabin filled with high-quality materials and opulent features. In comparison to the previous generation model, the cargo capacity and rear seat space are both bigger, enhancing the comfort and utility of the passengers. Nine carry-on suitcases fit behind the hybrid's back row, and when the seatbacks are folded down, the total number of bags can be increased to 22.

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid has the largest cabin and provides large room for both passengers as well as cargo, making it the most practical vehicle in the line-up. In terms of passenger room, the Ford offers a better front passenger leg room but falls short in terms of the rear passenger room. The Toyota is the closest to the Hyundai in terms of cargo space offered but the Korean manufacturer has emphasized space so much that it need not flinch with what the competition has to offer. It is important for any SUV to have good cargo space but the Ford happens to take the last spot here with its 60.8 cu-ft max storage area.

Some standout interior features on the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid include

• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Remote keyless entry
• Illuminated glove box
• Front bucket seats with heating feature
• 8-way power adjustable front seats
• Heated steering wheel

How intuitive is the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid infotainment system?

The touchscreen and center console of the Tucson Hybrid are disappointingly designed. There aren't many physical buttons instead, there are flat controls with a gloss black surface that are fingerprint magnets and provide no haptic feedback when pressed. We would appreciate regular buttons or an infotainment controller in the dial format. The Tucson Hybrid does however have a remarkable array of technological goodies, which includes a powerful Bose sound system and enticing navigation menus with clear maps and directions. Despite the lack of a shroud or cover, the screen quality is likewise excellent and it doesn't become washed out in direct sunlight. Smartphones have access to a wireless charging pad and it is simple to set up Apple CarPlay and Android Auto or Bluetooth. For some functions, like swiftly switching the radio station or requesting directions, voice activation is a viable substitute for the sometimes difficult-to-use screen. You do not need to adhere to a structured form of speech in order to use the function.

Some of the standout infotainment features on the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid are

• 8.0 or 10.25-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Sirius XM
• 6-speaker audio system
• Bluelink connected car technology
• Wireless charging

The Tucson Hybrid is the first Hyundai SUV to be created under the new Sensuous Sportiness design identity, and it has a larger and broader body. The muscular stance of the Tucson creates a contemporary style without sacrificing the tough SUV legacy the vehicle carries by fusing sharp angles, dynamic proportions, and rich textures. When you start driving, the dark chrome geometric design pattern of the parametric grille changes immediately. The Parametric Hidden Lights are concealed while switched off, and when turned on, the outside sections of the grille change into magnificent wing-like designs, producing a distinctive high-tech lighting signature. This is made possible by cutting-edge half-mirror lighting technology. The Z-shaped side character line and other striking, cutting-edge design elements immediately give off a sporty, energetic vibe, making the Tucson look far more advanced than its rivals. The athletic appearance of the Tucson Hybrid is enhanced by a chrome highlight strip with an edged parabolic shape that extends from the side mirrors to the tailgate. The dynamic, forward-thinking design is continued at the back by the large LED taillamps with parametric hidden light elements.

The proportions on the Tucson Hybrid are large but it isn’t the tallest car here. This helps keep the body rolls to a minimum while making sure that the SUV has enough ground clearance to trail a rough patch of road. This also makes it the vehicle with the highest ground clearance, giving it an edge when it comes to off-roading. The Tucson is the longest vehicle here but that does not hinder the maneuverability in any way and helps increase the load carrying capacity due to the elongated structure. The vehicle closest to the proportions of the Hyundai is the Honda CR-V

Some of the standout exterior features include

• 17-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels
• LED DRLs and headlights
• Lip spoiler
• Rear DRLs tucked away under the spoiler
• Parametric grille
• Panoramic sunroof

The SUV appears promising in terms of ensuring the safety of the passengers thanks to its standard automated emergency braking, safety features, and good outside view. Additionally, Tucson Hybrid has active lane control and rear occupant alerts. Blind-spot monitors and adaptive cruise control are added to the Tucson SEL Convenience, and blind-spot cameras, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view video system are added to the Limited model. While the 2023 model hasn't been tested yet, the previous year’s tests resulted in a 4-star rating for the SUV, and the regular Tucson was awarded the Top Safety Pick +.

Some of the standout safety features available with the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid are

• Lane-keeping assist
• Blind-spot monitor
• Reverse parking collision-avoidance assist
• Pedestrian detection
• Adaptive cruise control
• Surround-view camera system

2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid vs 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The RAV4 is a small SUV with two hybrid and one regular gasoline version, and it offers a lot of utility and excellent fuel economy. The RAV4 is incredibly quick, however, it might not be the main reason to buy a hybrid. Despite the variant you pick, all RAV4s have a noisy, unrefined engine and poor handling.

2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid vs 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

The Ford Escape, like the Tucson, is offered with a standard gasoline engine, as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. The spacious cabin and comfortable ride of the Escape are appealing, while the Tucson's hybrid model is less fuel-efficient, the handling of the Escape might be slightly off-setting. Hence, Tucson offers marginally better value for the money.

2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid vs 2023 Honda CR-V hybrid

The CR-V is our top small SUV, coming in hybrid and non-hybrid variations. It is quite well-rounded, offering innovative interior storage options, a spacious interior, and agile driving. However, the CR-V hybrid model is somewhat underwhelming in terms of fuel economy. Additionally, we believe that the Tucson's infotainment system is superior to Honda's.

The Tucson Hybrid is prepared to compete with its rivals and has a thrilling drivetrain and athleticism, making the bundle it gives feel more valuable than ever. High levels of adaptability and precise attention to detail are further advantages of the hybrid SUV. Without a doubt, hybrid technology offers outstanding performance numbers while being extremely efficient. The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid SUV is going to be a hard nut to crack with three capable variants and a competitive price tag to fawn over. Buyers might find the fuel economy to be lower than the market standards but no rivals offer the athletic drive and design that the Tucson features. Another aspect that the Hyundai takes the lead in is the cabin and storage room, keeping all the occupants comfortable at all times. The Tucson also has enough ground clearance to get dirty without scraping its underbelly.