2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Premium AWD Review

The Hyundai Tucson is arguably Hyundai Australia’s most important model, being their #1 seller.

So when Hyundai announced that they were axing my personal favourite drivetrain - the diesel - in favour of their Hybrid system I was both disappointed (the diesel was THAT good.) and a little concerned.

And while there are some things I haven’t loved about this update, including a price increase across the entire range, the full overhaul of the interior has given this class leading aspects.

However, stiff competition exists - like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and BYD Sealion 6 Plug-In Hybrid - and that means the Hyundai Tucson has to impress us more than ever.

Does it do that? Let’s talk about that in today’s review!

How much does the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid cost?

With great new technology, comes great new… pricing.

In a world of high inflation though, the price rises might seem reasonable to most.

Across the board, prices are up $3,450 to $3,950 depending on the model grade.

You can also option an N-Line package, which adds a bunch of goodies depending on the model grade

Today we’re reviewing the top of the line 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Premium AWD with N-Line kit, meaning we have the most expensive Tucson you can buy.

It will set you back $61,100 before on-road costs.

2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Pricing:

• ‍Tucson Hybrid - $45,100‍
• Tucson Hybrid Elite - $52,600‍
• Tucson Hybrid Premium - $59,600

Note: Prices exclude on-road costs.

Optional Extra Pricing:

• ‍Premium Paint - $595‍
• Matte Paint - $1,000‍
• Two-Tone Interior (Premium only, excluding N Line) - $295

N Line Package Pricing:

• ‍Tucson Hybrid N Line Package - $4,000‍
• Tucson Hybrid Elite N Line Package - $3,500‍
• Tucson Hybrid Premium N Line Package - $2,500

What’s new for the exterior like of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid?

Despite being a facelift for the 2025 Hyundai Tucson, it is quite hard to tell the difference from the pre-facelift Tucson.

I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing, though. The front remains with a very nice looking grille, this time a little wider than before.

The daytime running lights remain ‘hidden’ within the grille too, and LED lights are now standard across the range.

The N-Line package we have adds the sporty body kit, which admittedly does look very good on this family SUV.

You’ll find new alloy wheel designs across the range, and here we have the N-Line 19” machine finished alloy wheels - which when combined with the body coloured cladding - makes this thing look quite mean.

Being a top of the range Hyundai, you can also expect almost every feature you can think of to be thrown at this trim - including keyless entry and go and factory tinted windows (privacy glass) - however the Nexen Roadian tyres aren’t a great tyre choice, as we found out when pushing the Tucson to its limits around some twisty bends.

The rear again has a few minor tweaks, including a revised rear diffuser. Otherwise, it remains the same, which again is not a bad thing. Of course new for the Hybrid, is a Hybrid badge (RIP 2.0D (diesel) badge).

What’s the interior like of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid?

Wow, the interior has been almost completely overhauled.

And now, I honestly believe this is my favourite interior space in any mid-sized SUV.

Gone is the entire centre console, and in its place is a hole. But its a useful hole.

You can even put stuff in this hole.

Hyundai have achieved this huge open area by simply moving the shifter to a column mounted shifter on the right-hand side of the steering wheel, freeing up a large portion of the centre.

Above the useful hole, is a new Qi fast-wireless charger and a couple of cupholders.

Also new (I’m going to stop saying this now, because that’s everything) is the air-conditioning controls, now on a digi-analogue display with good haptic and visual feedback. I.e., it’s easy to use on the road and not hidden in the infotainment display.

Speaking of, Hyundai’s new CCNC dual 12.3” displays are now inside the interior, being a rather big upgrade versus before.

Namely, you now get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (FINALLY!!) and a faster, more responsive and intuitive way to interact with the infotainment display.

The same display is in front of you with the digital instrument cluster, and while it shows the same information as before (except with the addition of a hybrid system monitor for hybrid models), it’s now been made ‘minimalistic’ and does look great.

A new, large storage cubby has been cut into the dashboard, however it lacks any sort of rubberised padding… meaning I wouldn’t dare put anything with weight there, or it will almost definitely hit your passenger under any brisk accelleration.

The glovebox is a large size, as is the centre armrest - even the doorbins are deceptively large, fitting a 1.25L bottle with a bit of force.

You now get a ‘minimalist’ steering wheel, with 4 dots in the centre instead of a Hyundai badge. This is apparantly morse code for ‘H’, but really it could mean anything else - I don’t speak morse code. The steering wheel is heated.

And then there are the seats, which are almost entirely the reason I would get the N-Line package. They provide a lot of comfort, are heated and cooled, with 8-way adjustment for the driver and 4-way for the passenger (both automatic).

Really, it’s their fantastic material choice - alcantara and leather - which makes for a really great feel and good temperature control.

Smart and cool design, I’m a fan!

What about back seats?

In Australia, we get a longer-wheel base version of the Tucson versus our European counterparts.

Their loss, too, because it means at 5’10” I get plenty of space behind my drivers position - heaps of toe-room, leg-room and head-room.

The panoramic sunroof included in the Premium trim also provides plenty of light, although if you don’t have the sunroof - I imagine it’s quite dark in the back.

Joining the 2 USB-C ports up front, are another 2 USB-C fast chargers in the back, a couple of airvents and a small storage area.

The centre armrest has a couple more cupholders, the seats also recline - however, quality takes a small hit in the back with scratchy plastics on the top of the doors. It’s a minor thing, but competitors - like the BYD Sealion 6 - don’t cheap out on this.

Oh, and in the Premium trim, outboard seats in the back are heated. That’s suitably luxury.

What’s boot space OR tub space like in the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid?

Boot space in the Hybrid is technically better than the non-hybrid models, but that’s because they delete the full-size spare wheel for the hybrid and give you a space-saver instead

As far as I can tell as well, a full-size spare probably could have fit in there - you now get a false floor in its place, to drop down and get an extra 40 or so litres.

So in Petrol models, expect 549L - 1860L of boot space, while hybrids get a suitably massive 582L - 1903L of boot space.

It’s a really good, useable space.

What’s under the bonnet of the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid?

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is powered by a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined power output of 172kW and a peak torque of 264Nm. 

This hybrid setup uses a 6-speed automatic transmission to drive either the front wheels or all four wheels, depending on the chosen configuration.

With a kerb weight of around 1725kg for the AWD variant, the Tucson Hybrid accelerates from 0-100km/h in approximately 7.5 seconds. 

Hyundai claims a combined fuel economy of 5.8L/100km in urban settings, and around 6.2L/100km on the highway. 

The hybrid system is equipped with a small battery that supports limited electric-only driving at low speeds and helps smooth out gear shifts for a seamless driving experience.

The hybrid system also features a smart torque distribution system, using the electric motor to assist in cornering by sending power to the outside wheel, enhancing the vehicle's handling. 

This setup is designed to provide a balance of efficiency and performance, making it a suitable choice for those seeking a greener alternative without compromising on power.

How does the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Drive?

The elephant in the room here is that we no-longer have the diesel, which is a crying shame. Great fuel economy on highway stints, plenty of torque.

I actually lived with the Kia Sportage Diesel - which is the twin-under-the-skin of the Hyundai Tucson Diesel - and it was one of my favourite long-term testers.

The other options in the range, if I’m being totally honest, are not great.

The 2.0L naturally aspirated petrol engine puts out just 115kW of power and 192Nm of torque, and feels very, very slow. It’s also thirsty on fuel, which is never a good combination.

The 1.6L turbo-petrol engine option (without hybridisation) is a fine engine on its own, but its pairing with a 7-speed dual clutch makes for a bad driving experience. Lurchy at low speeds, it just doesn’t make for great around town driving.

So how does the 1.6L turbo-petrol hybrid system stack up? Well, I’m happy to report it does make for a good diesel replacement.

Where it bests the diesel is when you’re above 80km/h, thanks to its extra power. It’s not extremely fast, but its also no slouch.

We timed the 0-100km/h in just 7.5 seconds, which is quick for a mid-sized hybrid family SUV.

It is also a remarkebly well refined, with an almost imperceptible switch between EV only mode (when battery allows) and the engine kicking in to provide extra power and charge the battery.

It employs smart technologies, like the ability to smooth over gear shifts using a little bit of power from the electric motor, meaning you never notice the 6-speed automatic transmission it comes with.

It’s also really, really efficient. Around town, you can expect 5.8L/100km in urban settings. On the highway, 6.2L/100km was my average.

So around town, it’s way more efficient than the diesel - and about the same on the highway, if not a little worse.

The car always starts in eco mode, and a stab of the throttle can sometimes leave you waiting as the intentionally lazy throttle response prioritises keeping the engine off for as long as possible to save fuel.

The paddle shifters also change depending on drive mode, and in eco mode they operate the adjustable regenerative braking.

However, a flick of the mode-select into sport mode, and the Tucson Hybrid is remarkably quick and the paddle shifters now control your gearing.

Steering is light but never vague, even in sport mode, and handling is fantastic with limited roll in the body under hard cornering. However, don’t take a corner too hard as we found out - the Nexen tyres are not very grippy, and will happily let this SUV understeer.

It’s a shame, because better tyres would have really been the cherry on top of the driving experience.

The AWD system provides plenty of grip, and thankfully doesn’t effect the fuel economy very much. However, it’s not a necessity - and I would probably skip it in favour of even better fuel economy from the hybrid powertrain.

No matter which hybrid powertrain you get, however, you do get a smart torque distribution system, which uses the electric motor to send power to the outside wheel during cornering and give you better handling characteristics.

And then there is just the overall ride quality, which although doesn’t receive an Australian tune like its Kia Sportage siblings, does ride remarkably well. It has a good firmness to it without being crashy, and is comfortable around town and on the highway.

Overall, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid drives very well - and if you can change the tyres almost immediately - I think you’ll be really happy with it.

What do you get with the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid?

Hyundai Tucson Hybrid 2025 Key Features

Hyundai Tucson (Base Trim)

• 12.3-inch multimedia system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay™/Android Auto™
• Bluelink™ Connected Car Services with Over-The-Air (OTA) updates
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Column-type Shift By Wire drive selection
• Floating centre console with upgraded wireless charging pad
• Black cloth upholstery
• LED headlights and taillights
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• 1,900kg towing capacity
• Dual-zone climate control with 6.6-inch touch display
• Smart power tailgate
• Rear View Monitor (RVM)
• Roof rails
• Auto up/down windows (all windows)

Hyundai Tucson Elite, in addition to Base Trim

• Navigation with Bluelink™ live traffic updates
• Power driver seat
• Heated front seats
• Dark chrome radiator grille with Dark Silver H emblem
• Power opening tailgate
• Solar windshield & front door glass
• Heated side mirrors
• Satin chrome mirror line
• Rain sensor
• Electronic chromic mirror (ECM)
• AWD locking + HTRAC (AWD only)
• Ambient mood lighting with 10 presets
• Leather-appointed seats (Black)
• USB Type-C ports (charging and data transmission)
• Hyundai Digital Key

Hyundai Tucson Premium, in addition to Elite

• BOSE™ 8-speaker premium audio system
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated 2nd row outboard seats
• Ambient interior lighting with 64 customizable colors
• Sunroof
• Memory driver seat (IMS) + Power passenger seat
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Projector LED headlights
• Intelligent Front-Lighting System (IFS)
• Walk-in device (passenger seat)
• Customizable mood lighting
• Head-Up Display (HUD)
• Auto-adjusting side mirrors linked to driver’s seating position
• Premium leather seats (Black, Black/Gray, or Dark Green/Gray)
• Surround View Monitor (SVM)
• Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA-R)
• Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA)

Hyundai Tucson N Line Package, in addition to Premium

• 19-inch N Line-exclusive alloy wheels
• N Line-specific front and rear bumpers
• N Line-exclusive grille design with dark chrome accents
• N Line badging and details
• Twin exhaust outlets
• N Line sports seats with leather and suede upholstery
• Red stitching on seats, steering wheel, and gear lever
• Metal pedals
• Black headlining
• Dark metal interior trim highlights
• N Line-specific steering wheel with N logo
• N Line-specific door scuff plates

Is the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid safe?

The facelifted Hyundai Tucson comes with a 5-Star ANCAP safety rating.

Safety Features of the 2025 Hyundai Tucson

• Standard Features:
  • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) 1.5
  • Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
  • Highway Driving Assist (HDA)
  • Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
  • Lane Following Assist (LFA)
  • Smart Cruise Control (SCC)
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
  • Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
  • Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
  • High Beam Assist (HBA)
  • Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
  • Parking Distance Warning (PDW)
  • Surround View Monitor (SVM)
  • Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
  • Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA)
• Elite Trim Additional Features:
  • Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC)
  • Rear Occupant Alert - Sensor Type
  • Rain Sensor
  • Electronic Chromic Mirror (ECM)
• Premium Trim Additional Features:
  • Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist: Reverse (PCA-R)
  • Parking Distance Warning: Front/Side/Reverse (PDW)
  • Surround View Monitor (SVM)
  • Blind View Monitor (BVM)
  • Head Up Display (HUD)
  • Intelligent Front-Lighting System (IFS)
  • Heated 2nd Row Outboard Seats

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

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid comes with a 5-year, unlimited kilometer warranty.

With MG and Mitsubishi having a 10-year warranty, and even its sister brand Kia having a 7-year unlimited kilometer warranty, 5-years is starting to seem below average.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000 kilometers, and for 5 years of capped price servicing will cost you $2,040.

Final thoughts on the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid offers a blend of advanced technology, improved interior design, and hybrid efficiency. The departure of the diesel engine and the price increase may not appeal to everyone, but the updates bring several benefits.

The hybrid powertrain combines power and efficiency effectively. The redesigned interior, with dual 12.3-inch displays and high-quality materials, enhances comfort and functionality. The N-Line package adds a sporty touch, appealing to those who prefer a more dynamic look.

The Tucson faces strong competition from models like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and BYD Sealion 6 Plug-In Hybrid. Despite this, the Tucson's array of safety features, hybrid technology, and refined interior make it a viable option for many buyers.

Overall, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid provides a comprehensive package that meets various needs and preferences, making it a solid choice in the mid-sized SUV segment.