2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Pros vs Cons

Hyundai has spent the last several years updating their SUVs with basically everything being either totally new (like the Palisade or Venue) or redesigned to fit with more contemporary buyer demands. The Tucson used to play things safe, bordering on the edge of bland when it came to aesthetics. With this year's redesign, all of the Tucsons - Hybrid included - are looking a lot snazzier. In fact, the Hybrid (as well as a Plug-in Hybrid) is new for 2022. With three trim levels to choose from and a spunky turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine helping power this hybrid powertrain, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is a stand-out performer in its segment. But will its style suit everyone? And just how does it stack up against competitors when it comes to fuel economy? Let's find out.

What's New for 2022?

The entire 2022 Hyundai Tucson line-up is new this year. The Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid are new additions, both of which come in three trim level choices: Blue Hybrid, SEL Convenience Hybrid, and Limited Hybrid. The Hybrid is powered by a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that puts forth a combined 227 hp. The Plug-in Hybrid has the same 1.6-L turbo engine, but that gets it a combined 261 hp. There are now more standard driver aids than before as well as some new technology features.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid – The Pros

1. A Smooth Ride Quality

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is remarkably athletic for a hybrid SUV. It drives smoothly across just about any type of road surface. It is able to achieve a better ride quality than even some luxury SUVs, giving it a truly refined feel. The suspension is finely tuned to produce this smoothness, and the plush, comfy front seats only serve to enhance this level of comfort.

2. Generous Warranty Coverage

Hyundai is one of the most generous auto makers when it comes to their warranty coverage. The basic warranty has coverage that extends for five years/60,000 miles, and the powertrain is covered for 10 years/100,000 miles. Buyers are also treated to three years of free maintenance, rust coverage, and 24/7 roadside assistance. Many rival auto makers don't come near this level of generosity. This only adds more value to the Tucson Hybrid.

3. A Snappy Acceleration From the Turbocharged Engine

The 1.6-L turbocharged engine that comes with the Hybrid is actually quite zippy. In fact, it is more lively than the Tucson's base gas-only engine. The Hybrid can get from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.7 seconds, which is the quickest acceleration that you can get in this segment. This powertrain has a lot of zest right from the launch, so you will not have trouble getting it up to speed on the highway or passing by other vehicles.

4. A Delightful Drive Around Town

Even while driving around town, the Tucson Hybrid remains a pleasure to drive. Its six-speed automatic transmission shifts gears smoothly and works well overall with the hybrid powertrain, delivering power as needed to the wheels. You will get power just when you need it without any sudden jolts. The Tucson Hybrid is well mannered with its steering and handling too.

5. A Lot of Adjustability and Cabin Space

Getting in and out of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is easy for most people. The door sills are wide and tall, and the ride height sits at an appropriate level. Taller folks will not need to duck down to slide in and out. The cabin has an abundance of space fore and aft, leaving enough room for adults over 6 feet tall to stretch out in the back seats. The driver's seat and steering wheel offer a lot of adjustability for getting into just the right driving position.

6. An Abundance of Standard Tech Features

From a crisp-sounding Bose sound system to easy-to-read navigation menus, the plethora of standard tech features included on the Tucson Hybrid are user-oriented. Smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard, and there is an optional wireless charging pad available for charging your cell phone without that bulky cord.

7. Voice Activation Comes In Handy

Even voice activation works well at recognizing natural speech patterns. You can avoid using the touchscreen and just issue commands to the system. You don't have to stick to a highly specific script for this voice activation system, so you can take a few liberties without confusing it.

8. Generous Cargo Space

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid gives you 38.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. This is one of the best numbers for this segment. The flat cargo floor and low lift-over height make loading and unloading cargo easy, and you can simply fold the rear seats down to accommodate bulkier items. All you have to do is use the wall-mounted lever to get the rear seats to go down.

9. High-quality Interior Materials

Hyundai selected some seriously premium materials for its cabin. You will find a lot of soft touch surfaces throughout. A lot of luxury-oriented trims and upholstery get added into the mix. The Limited Hybrid's dark chrome exterior trim looks chic enough, but the inside feels even more luxurious with more chrome and some breathable leather seats.

10. Three Different Powertrain Options Are Available

If the standard hybrid isn't your thing, you can go for either the gas-powered engine or the plug-in hybrid. The Plug-in Hybrid model might be the best alternative since it also utilizes the turbo 1.6-L engine. But having that many options is certainly nice.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid – The Cons

1. A Lackluster Performance From the Base Engine

Buyers will likely be more attracted to the 1.6-L turbo engine that comes with the Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid models. The gas-powered 2.5-liter four-cylinder only generates 187 horsepower, which feels quite lackluster. The acceleration is not as exciting, and it feels more sluggish in everyday driving scenarios.

2. A Distracting Touch-style Center Stack

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid suffers from a distracting touch-style center stack. It takes too much attention away from driving. There are not too many physical controls, which are making a comeback on other vehicles. The controls are all flat and have glossy black surfaces that easily get fingerprint smudges on them.

3. Doesn't Match Competitors On Fuel Economy

For a regular SUV, the Tucson Hybrid's EPA-estimated 37 mpg combined would be good. But, as far as hybrid SUVs go, this number is pretty low. Real-world tests also show that this number might be a bit high, reflecting something more along the lines of 34 mpg combined. At least driving around town gets about 39 mpg. Yet this is not a strong showing by hybrid SUV standards.

4. Some Wind and Road Noise Seeps In

Some wind and road noise seep into the Tucson Hybrid's cabin. There are also occasional rattles and creaks that can be heard when cruising along on a bumpy road surface. While this does not suggest a serious quality control issue, it is slightly intrusive to occupants in the cabin. There are quieter cabins in this segment.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid vs. 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid sees some stiff competition from the 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid. They are priced just about the same, and the Escape Hybrid delivers about 40 mpg combined. Its cabin is plenty spacious and padded for comfort. Its ride quality is comparable to the Tucson Hybrid's in terms of smoothness. Also, the Escape Hybrid benefits from some simple, easy-to-use controls. On the downside, though, the handling feels sub par. Also, the transmission is prone to making abrupt shifts that can send jolts into the cabin.

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid vs. 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid

Another strong competitor for the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is the 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid. Honda made a lot of major changes to this year's CR-V Hybrid, one of which is fully redesigning its formerly problematic infotainment touchscreen display. Like the 2022 Civic, it has a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.0-inch touchscreen. Also, the CR-V comes with a fully redesigned interior and exterior style for the 2022 line-up, looking sportier than before.

Conclusion

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is all-new and presents a strong alternative to the gas-powered Tucson. In fact, it is probably the best powertrain option on the line-up this year. The 1.6-L turbo engine is spunkier than what you will find on most hybrid SUVs, but the trade-off seems to be a less-generous fuel economy than the Tucson Hybrid's rivals. Overall, the new Tucson Hybrid shows a lot of flair, showing buyers that hybrids do not have to be dull. We just wish there were more physical controls to make things even more user-friendly inside the finely-crafted cabin.