MotorwayAmerica.com

By Jim Meachen
Editor, MotorwayAmerica.com

(April 7, 2024) As car buyers are shying away from purchasing fully electric cars they are not abandoning electrified vehicles, voting with their pocketbooks for hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions that in addition to featuring electric motors and batteries are backed up by gas engines. Makes sense at least until the public EV charging infrastructure is expanded and the myriad of other EV concerns are put to rest.

That makes the 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid two-row crossover SUV a viable choice for your next vehicle purchase. It comes with a 180-horsepower 4-cylinder engine together with a 59-horsepower electric motor for a useable 226 horsepower mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission creating a satisfying driving experience. The byproduct is outstanding gas mileage on regular gas measured at 37 mpg city, 36 highway and 37 combined.


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The Tucson Hybrid delivers a lot of value for the money, providing a comfortable ride and plentiful technology features. It has an upscale-feeling cabin and roomy cargo space. Unfortunately the non-hybrid  Tucson — which is still the best selling Tucson — is hampered by a sluggish 4-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower. It's OK in merging and passing — rated at around 9 seconds from 0-to-60 — but we like a little more than OK, especially when Hyundai has a better idea with its hybrid setup, which can complete a 0-to-60 run in about 7 seconds.

 There is a slightly elevated purchase price over the non-hybrid. For example, the top-trim non-hybrid Limited starts at $38,135 while the hybrid Limited begins at $41,090. Base price of the non-hybrid Tucson is $28,875. Base of the least expensive hybrid — the "Blue" Hybrid" — is $33,950.  

There is one very annoying aspect of the hybrid — it emits loud beeps much like a large truck when backing. The only other electrified vehicle that we can remember beeping like this is the Toyota Prius.

The current Tucson is part of the fourth generation introduced for 2022. New for 2024 is the addition of a sporty-looking N-Line trim for the Hybrid. Last year this trim was offered only for the non-hybrid Tucson, but its move to the hybrid means better acceleration, fitting for a variant inspired by the automaker’s hotted-up N cars. Inside, all trims of the Tucson Hybrid and Tucson PHEV will fit the 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen formerly reserved for the SEL Convenience and Limited trims.

The Tucson's stylish exterior we think is a strong selling point.  We especially liked the new front-end design with unique daytime running lights that magically appear from behind the parametric grille in a total of 8 segments — 4 on either side. When the engine is off the lights hide behind the satin finish black-charcoal grille design elements. Tucson's design engineers made a point — they did not want the front of the Tucson to take on an "anthropomorphic look" with eyes and a face. Rather than “breathing the air” they wanted the vehicle to “process the air."



Prominent along the sides of the vehicle are angular lines that are chiseled rather than swoopy, not unlike the new Hyundai Elantra. There’s also a brushed chrome element that tracks along the line from the side mirrors and follows the arc of the roofline increasing in width as it reaches behind the C pillar adjacent to the rear lift gate.

New taillights are angular reminding us of the new Mustang Mach e, and extends across the rear. The Hyundai “H” emblem is displayed on the lower glass of the rear liftgate and is actually embedded in the glass to keep the window smooth, and the rear wiper is concealed beneath the rear spoiler. Overall, we think the look is extremely attractive.

Inside, the Tucson’s interior design is focused on simplicity with either 8-inch or optional 10.26-inch full-touch screen void of hard buttons. All operations are immediate below the touchscreen and while we miss knobs for the audio system there is steering wheel mounted switchgear. Of course, one can always use voice control for operating functions.

There’s a hoodless digital gauge cluster, and multi-air ventilation, a temperature-adjusting system providing diffused airflow on the front passengers. This indirect, diffusing ventilation system reduces potentially unpleasant airflow and is unique in the automotive industry. Materials throughout the cabin are well-chosen and refined enough to seem right at home and on par next to the brands upscale and excellent Palisade SUV.

Tucson also offers a number of segment-first exclusive features competitors don’t have including remote smart park assist that allows owners to park and retrieve their Tucson from the tightest of parking spaces from outside the vehicle. Remote start with heated and ventilated seats that usea cellular data connection via the Blue Link app to warm up or cool down the vehicle remotely including the seats. Digital key is a segment-exclusive supported via smartphone app allowing the owner to lock, unlock the vehicle, activate the panic alert and start the engine. Finally wireless Android Auto and apple CarPlay with wireless pairing automatically connecting to the apps.

Standard safety features include Hyundai SmartSense with standard forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keeping assist, high beam assist, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert. Optional safety features include blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, safe exit warning, smart cruise control with stop & go, and ultrasonic rear occupant alert.

Important to owners who haul several passengers and their their stuff — cargo space behind the second-row seats measures a healthy 38.7 cubic feet. Maximum cargo capacity with seatbacks folded grows to 74.5 cubic feet.

And the warranties — as with all Hyundai products — are industry leading with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty. Roadside assistance is free for five years.

2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

Essentials
Base price: $33,950; as driven, $41,090
Engine: 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder plus electric motor
Horsepower: 226
Torque: 258 pound-feet
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drive: all-wheel
Seating: 2/3
Wheelbase: 108.5 inches
Length: 182.2 inches
Curb weight: 3,794 pounds
Turning circle: 38.6 feet
Towing capacity: 2,000 pounds
Luggage capacity: 38.7 cubic feet
Cargo capacity: 74.5 cubic feet
Fuel capacity: 13.7 gallons (regular)
EPA rating: 37 city, 36 highway, 37 combined
0-60: 7.1 seconds (Car and Driver)
Also consider: Honda CR-V Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid

The Good
• Much quicker than non-hybrid version
• Spacious rear seating
• Eye-catching styling
• Generous warranties

The Bad
• Very annoying beeper inverse

The Ugly
• Many competitors have better gas mileage