2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Review

It’s no secret that the world’s new cars are turning to electrification to clean up their emissions and while EV sales have increased significantly in Australia, hybrid cars are also in the same boat. That’s largely thanks to hybrid pioneer Toyota, which has decided to offer hybrid-only lineups for a lot of its cars locally, but other car makers have finally woken up to hybrid demand and more of them are appearing every month. The latest is Hyundai, which is now offering a broad hybrid lineup, including its newly-facelifted Tucson mid-size SUV. Is the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid the mid-size SUV to buy? Let’s find out.

While the Toyota RAV4 is both the top-selling passenger vehicle and top-selling hybrid in Australia and other brands are finally offering competition. Subaru and Haval have offered hybrid versions of their Forester and H6s locally for a few years, while Honda and Nissan also launched CR-V and X-Trail hybrids and more recently, Hyundai’s Kia twin also launched its hybrid Sportage. Are there more hybrid mid-size SUVs on the way? Undoubtedly, but for now, there’s finally a good variety on offer.

How much does the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid cost to buy?

For now, there are four hybrid variants in the 2025 Hyundai Tucson range: the entry level 2WD ($45,100 plus on-road costs), the mid-spec Elite 2WD ($50,100 +ORC) and Elite AWD ($52,600 +ORC) and top-spec Premium AWD ($59,600 +ORC). At the time of writing, there are special deals available on the Tucson hybrid range: the entry-level model is priced from $46,990 drive away, the Elite 2WD from $51,990 drive away and the top-spec Premium AWD from $61,490 drive away. For this review, we tested the Elite AWD with the optional N-Line Package (grey in our photos) and the top-spec Premium (matte grey).

2025 Hyundai Tucson standard equipment:

• 18-inch alloy wheels with a space saver spare wheel
• Dusk-sensing automatic all-LED exterior lighting
• Keyless entry and start with remote start
• Heated and auto-folding mirrors
• Roof rails
• Fabric seat trim
• Leather steering wheel with paddle shifters
• Dual-zone climate control with auto defogging and rear vents
• 4.2-inch driver’s display
• 12.3-inch touchscreen with over-the-air updates
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless phone charger
• Six-speaker sound system
• 4x USB-C charging ports
• ‘Bluelink’ live services, including automatic collision notification, emergency call (SOS) functionality, valet mode, voice control, iCloud and Google calendar integration
• Remote functions through a smartphone app such as alerts, locking/unlocking and climate control

Tucson safety kit:

• Seven airbags (including a front centre unit)
• Auto emergency braking (AEB) including pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist and junction assist
• Lane keeping assistance with lane following assist
• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (both with braking)
• Intelligent speed limit assist
• Rear occupant alert
• Auto high beam
• Safe exit warning
• Driver attention monitoring
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Alarm

The current-generation Tucson was given a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2021 when the current generation arrived with scores of 86 per cent score for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupant protection, 66 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 70 per cent for safety assistance.

Tucson Elite adds:

• Black leather upholstery
• 12.3-inch digital driver’s display
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• 10-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat
• Automatic rain-sensing wipers
• Dark chrome grille with hidden daytime running lights
• Rear privacy glass
• Electric tailgate with hands-free functionality
• Highway driving assistant
• Auto-dimming rear mirror

Tucson Premium adds:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Panoramic sunroof
• Projector LED headlights with Matrix adaptive high beam
• Head-up display
• Memory functionality for the driver’s seat
• 8-way electric front passenger seat
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• LED cabin ambient mood lighting
• Eight-speaker Bose sound system
• 360-degree camera
• Rear auto braking
• Blind-spot camera
• Auto-dipping functionality for the exterior mirrors in reverse

Tucson colour range:

• White Cream
• Phantom Black (+$595)
• Titan Grey (+$595)
• Shimmering Silver (+$595)
• Pine Green Matte (+$1,000)
• Deep Sea (+$595)
• Cashmere Bronze (+$595)
• Amazon Gray (+$595)
• Ultimate Red (+$595 – N Line Pack only)

Tucson options:

• N Line Package (19-inch alloy wheels, sporty styling, suede and leather trim, sports seats, projector LED headlights with Matrix adaptive high beam, LED reverse lights and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display: $1,500 (Premium) – $2,500 (Elite) – $4,000 (Tucson – the base model adds all those features, but Elite and Premium already feature some of them, hence lower pricing for them)
• Two-tone leather (black/grey or green/grey, depending on exterior colour): $250 (Premium)

While only a few years ago, hybrid mid-size SUV options were thin on the ground, there are now – finally – more options available to buyers: the sales king Toyota RAV4, Haval H6, Subaru Forester, Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V and even the Tucson’s Kia Sportage cousin. All are priced in the $40,000-$60,000 bracket, are well equipped and – CR-V aside – offer multiple grades to suit varying budgets.

Against the RAV4, the Tucson Hybrid is good value – the Tucson is slightly more expensive to buy than its RAV4 equivalent, but is better equipped across the range. For example, a Tucson Elite Hybrid costs $1,600 more than the RAV4 GXL but adds features like leather seat trim, an electric driver’s seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a larger touchscreen and driver’s display and an electric tailgate.

How fuel efficient is the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid?

Under the bonnet of the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission sending power to either the front (base or Elite) or all four (Elite or Premium) wheels. A 37.4kW/264Nm electric motor that draws power from a 1.49kWh lithium-ion battery supplements the petrol engine and overall, the system makes a healthy 172kW of power and 367Nm of torque.

The claimed combined fuel consumption of the Tucson Hybrid is 5.3L/100km, with claimed CO2 emissions of 121g/km. Helping running costs further is that the Tucson Hybrid can run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel, while it features a 52-litre fuel tank. In comparison, the RAV4 hybrid makes 160kW (2WD – the AWD model makes 163kW) of power from its non-turbocharged 2.5-litre hybrid system and is rated at between 4.7L/100km (2WD) and 4.8L/100km (AWD) for claimed fuel consumption.

What is the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid like to drive?

As with the pre-updated model, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson is a great to drive option in the mid-size SUV segment. A Mazda CX-5 is sportier, but the Tucson also rides better than the Mazda and even in the heavier hybrid model, the Tucson strikes a great balance between comfort and sportiness. Its ride can be a touch firm over larger bumps but it’s got great body control and is generally quite comfortable.

The availability of a Hybrid drivetrain is the biggest improvement of the facelifted Tuscon because the previous engine options presented a flaw: the base 2.0-litre petrol was thirsty, the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol featured an awful dual-clutch transmission and the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel was great but diesel does not suit all buyers. Sure, the former two options are still available, but the hybrid is the clear winner thanks to its efficiency but also for its surprising grunt and refinement. We also love that the Tucson Hybrid has adjustable regenerative braking through its paddle shifters.

In a hybrid, efficiency is number one and in our testing, we achieved 6.2L/100km in the Elite and 6.8L/100km in the Premium test cars. That’s more than the RAV4 in our experience, but perhaps more careful driving, would have yielded better numbers. Regardless, it’s a big improvement on any petrol Tucson. The only transmission available with the Tucson Hybrid is a six-speed torque converter automatic and it’s a generally seamless and painless transmission to use, which is further helped by the electric motor’s low speed torque. The transmission selector behind the steering wheel takes a bit to get used to and maybe it could use another gear or two, but it’s otherwise totally fine.

As we’ve seen with previous Tucson models, the active safety kit on the facelifted Tucson is mostly excellent. The intelligent speed limit assistance, which is annoyingly inaccurate and loud, can now be muted with a five-second press of the volume button on the steering wheel. It has to be pressed with every drive but still, thank you Hyundai! The Matrix adaptive high beam on Premium and N Line models is new and quite effective too, while the rest of the active safety equipment is pretty good. We particularly like the blind-spot cameras in the Premium, which really help with changing lanes, and its lane keeping assistance is quite keen to assist – luckily for some, it can be easily turned off.

How practical is the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid?

While the exterior of the updated Tucson doesn’t look too different to the pre-facelifted model, the interior is quite different with a new dashboard layout that follows other new Hyundai models like the latest Kona and Santa Fe. Gone is the somewhat dated layout of the pre-updated model and in its place is a more modern and higher quality layout with dual screens and more available storage. Material quality is good – better than a RAV4, though still trailing a CX-5 – with ample soft touch surfaces on the door tops and dashboard, as well as good quality leather and switchgear as well.

Storage in the updated Tucson is excellent with big door bins, a big tray in the centre console, a new sectioned tray on the upper dashboard, a large glovebox and a big bin underneath the central armrest. Front seat comfort is pretty good thanks to ample electric adjustment and supportive front seats – especially in the N-Line, with its N sports seats.

Centre of the Tucson’s cabin is a 12.3-inch touchscreen that runs Hyundai’s new ‘ccNC’ infotainment software, which is mostly an improvement on the system that was in the pre-updated model. It’s well featured with wireless smartphone mirroring and DAB+ digital radio – plus satellite navigation on the Elite and Premium – and it’s quick to use and high quality, though the screen itself could be brighter. The 12.3-inch digital driver’s display is also high quality, though it’s not configurable beyond colouring.

The six-speaker sound system in the base model and Elite is reasonable – and a big improvement on the pre-updated model – but the eight-speaker Bose unit in the Premium is a noticeably better in clarity and bass levels. The wireless charger works well – we think Hyundai/Kia’s wireless chargers are the best in the industry because they have little islands to accomodate modern smartphones’ large camera ‘bumps’.

The rear seat of the Tucson hasn’t changed in the facelift, but that’s no bad thing given that it’s one of the best in the mid-size SUV segment. There’s ample room in all directions for even taller folk, while three kids will be quite comfortable. Amenities include air vents, reclining seats, map pockets, a central armrest with cup holders, two USB-C charging ports and in the Premium, heated outboard seats. Three top-tether points and two ISOFIX points cover child seat needs.

The boot of the updated Tucson measures a healthy 582-litres with the seats up and 1,903L with them folded – that’s 43L larger than non-hybrid Tucsons because hybrids get a space saver spare in lieu of the petrol’s full-size unit and a whole 2L larger than the RAV4 with the seats up. Helping the Tucson’s practicality further are a 12V socket, under-floor storage, tie down points and remote rear seat releases.

How much does the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid cost to run?

Like other new Hyundai models, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty with 12 months of roadside assistance that’s extended by another 12 months with each scheduled service at a Hyundai dealership. The Tucson Hybrid’s hybrid battery is also covered by an eight-year/160,000km warranty. Like the regular Tucson, the hybrid’s service intervals are a short once-yearly/every 10,000km (whichever comes first) and five years/50,000km of servicing costs $1,839 ($368 per service).

Like Hyundai, Toyota covers the RAV4 with a five-year/unlimited km warranty too, though that can be extended up to seven years for the drivetrain and 10 years for the battery if serviced at a Toyota dealership during that time. Toyota offers no roadside assistance, though its service intervals are 5,000km longer than Hyundai at 15,000km and five years/75,000km of servicing the RAV4 costs $1,300 ($260 per service).

Should I buy a 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid?

Overall, it’s clear to see than the hybrid drivetrain has added a lot to the Hyundai Tucson. While the previous range of engines was reasonable, there was no shining star of the range like some other mid-size SUVs. But now, there is one and if you’re after a Tucson, the hybrid is clearly the model to choose. That’s thanks to its extra refinement and performance over the petrol models, but it’s also a lot more fuel efficient and we think you’d make back the $4,000 price difference over the thirsty 2.0L petrol engine surprisingly quickly – plus, the other benefits of the hybrid drivetrain are priceless to us.

The hybrid drivetrain makes the Tucson’s status an even better all-rounder, in our opinion, enhanced by the facelift, which has added a new better quality dashboard layout, updated in-car technology and even more standard equipment. Of course, it’s not perfect – the hybrid isn’t cheap to buy, the updated Tucson is more expensive than the pre-updated model, it could be more efficient in the real world and its service intervals are too short against competitors. But overall, the Tucson Hybrid is a very worthy competitor in the mid-size SUV segment that deserves your strong consideration.