Hyundai’s small two-row crossover has been newly-redesigned for 2022, bringing some dramatic adjustments together with a much more eye-catching exterior, a extra dynamic presence, and two hybrid choices alongside standard gasoline.
At a look:
- Robust design assertion with a recent, however not over-the-top, look
- Three engine/powertrain choices, two of that are hybrids
- Wonderful drive dynamics
- Not so wonderful infotainment setup
Hyundai’s new design language is bolder and extra upmarket, an indication of the way in which the corporate is rebranding itself. That is most evident within the fourth technology Tucson's squared wheel arches, a trapezoidal grille that morphs into cascading headlamps virtually seamlessly, and the near-clamshell hood with robust minimize strains atop. The bodywork has busy cuts and angles which are, individually, fairly alarming however which come collectively to create a way of ahead motion and a powerful assertion at a time when many autos on this aggressive section are combating for consideration. In contrast to a few its rivals, although, Hyundai has managed to not go excessive with its look right here.
There are three powertrain choices for the 2022 mannequin. The bottom engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 187 horsepower (139.5 kW) – on an excellent day, downhill, with the wind behind you. More often than not, it’s sluggish and never very assured. Fortunately, the usual hybrid supplies a extra likeable 1.6-liter turbocharged 4 with 227 horsepower (169 kW) of output (when mixed with the electrical motor). It can't be argued that it’s all within the transmission both, as each the usual gasoline and the hybrid use the identical six-speed automated. That very same 1.6L turbo engine, and a extra highly effective motor, are discovered within the plug-in hybrid possibility, which jumps to 261 horsepower (194.5 kW).
We drove the usual gasoline as a short first drive and the usual hybrid as a day by day for every week. The PHEV had simply entered manufacturing once we ran our check and was not but obtainable. We are able to guess, nevertheless, that its drive high quality could be just like the usual hybrid, however with higher acceleration due to the bigger battery and motor. The PHEV has a 33-mile all-electric vary versus the usual hybrid’s single-digit EV vary.
Gas economic system is one other space the place the three Tucsons differ enormously. The usual engine is nice for 29 mpg (8.1 l/100km) on the freeway. That’s solely simply common at finest in right this moment’s market. The hybrid upgrades that to 37 mpg (6.3 l/100km) on the freeway (higher trim stage, all-wheel drive), which we verified in our personal freeway check loop. That’s a significantly better, although not superb, mpg return. These not needing AWD or higher-end facilities can get an additional MPG from the bottom mannequin hybrid Tucson, whereas the PHEV is rated at 35 mpg (6.7 l/100km) mixed.
The place the usual gasoline-powered 2022 Tucson is available in 4 trim ranges, the hybrid fashions are available in three. The hybrids primarily skip the bottom mannequin Tucson SE and go on to the SEL (known as the “Blue Hybrid”). Normal options are fairly plentiful, although, together with a full suite of energetic security methods and driver’s aids. These embody driver consideration warning, ahead collision mitigation, rear-seat reminder, lane-keeping help, blind-spot monitoring and intervention, and adaptive cruise management. Different facilities like wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8-inch infotainment display, proximity keyless entry, heated entrance seats, heated facet mirrors, USB ports in each the entrance and rear passenger areas, and so forth are additionally included. Additional goodies are added from there primarily based on the trim ranges.
The distinction in drive high quality between the Tucson and the Tucson Hybrid for this 2022 mannequin yr is startlingly. The place the usual gasoline mannequin is usually sluggish and disinterested, the turbocharged hybrid is fast and fascinating. The added stability the batteries deliver to the automobile’s dynamics (a truism for many hybrid fashions of any make) solely provides to the enchantment. Whereas not a sports activities automobile or twisty street enjoyable machine, the Tucson Hybrid is pleasant as a day by day drive.
Contained in the well-designed Hybrid is not austere for minimalism’s sake, as with some luxurious manufacturers, however it seems like high quality with out plenty of fuss. Twin strains run alongside the sting of the dashboard, creating an encirclement across the driver and the entrance passenger with the infotainment and middle stack dividing them. The infotainment display and interface is nice, with vivid suggestions and easy-to-understand menus. Our chief grievance, nevertheless, is that the buttons are typically not responsive due primarily to their digital measurement being bigger than their learn space. If not touching the middle of the icon, it's as possible as to not ignore your enter. The display, due to its place, will get smudged simply. A slight downward cant (the same old in right this moment’s automobile designs) would take away a lot of that annoyance by altering the reflection angle.
In any other case, the inside of the 2022 Tucson Hybrid is snug, well-appointed, and spacious. Seating for 4 is prime, with a lot of room to spare. Including a fifth to the again seat is a little bit of a squeeze, however that’s true of all small SUVs like this. Cargo house is massive at 41.3 cubic toes (1,169.5 liters), which opens to 80 cf (2,265 liters) when the rear seats are folded. That’s class-leading at this level.
In all, our impressions of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid are good. With a beginning worth of about US$31,500 for the Blue Hybrid base mannequin (versus about $30,000 for the gasoline SEL), it appears that evidently the “hybrid premium” right here is slight – particularly given its higher drive high quality and virtually 10 mpg enchancment on the freeway. Whereas Hyundai has not introduced a battery-electric model of the Tucson but, the Ioniq 5 EV is comparably sized and enters the market this yr.
Product Web page: 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
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