I have followed the Tucson car closely, and the Korean automaker Hyundai deserves credit for its recent glow up. The fourth generation of this medium-sized family SUV arrived in 2020, then it got a mid-life facelift in late 2023, almost like a spa treatment for an ageing car. The bold styling still turns heads, and the Parametric Hidden Lights help it stand out next to the Nissan Qashqai, the Ford Kuga and the VW Tiguan.
This compact crossover looks handsome whichever hybrid powertrain you pick, and the 2026 update made the line-up more powerful. Compared with the gas-only car, both versions give better acceleration and use less fuel.
Hyundai also offers a long warranty, decent cargo space and a tech-forward interior with plenty of screen real estate. Inside, the interior feels fresh and modern. A designer clearly pushed the aesthetics hard, and the car feels larger than before.
Driving Experience
Every powertrain in this SUV rests on one workhorse, a 1.6-litre turbo petrol. The base car makes 158bhp and 195lb ft, and it sends power through a six-speed manual gearbox to the front-wheel drive setup. It reaches 0–62mph in 9.5 seconds and returns 39.8mpg, which keeps it on many a family car shortlist.
The mild hybrid keeps the same power but adds a seven-speed DCT auto and extended stop/start, so it manages 40.9mpg. The standard hybrid adds a 64bhp e-motor and a 1.5kWh battery, and it makes 236bhp and 280lb ft of torque. That gives a 7.8s sprint and 50.4mpg, while 4WD versions lose a little acceleration and fuel consumption.
The plug-in hybrid uses a 90bhp e-motor and a 13.8kWh battery, which gives 43 miles of WLTP range and 250bhp with 224lb ft. It finishes the sprint in 8.2s, and the official 282.5mpg and 22g/km CO2 figures mean little in real life. Company car drivers still love it, because BiK tax sits at nine per cent instead of 30 per cent, although several rivals offer double that e-range.
I like the hybrid’s EV-only driving around town, and the paddles let me pick the regen level. The 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder sounds gruff when pushed, and this 4cyl unit gave me only 39mpg in mixed driving.
In the US, a gas engine and an electric motor make 231 horsepower and 258 pound-feet in the hybrid, or 268 horses in the PHEV. Both use a six-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive as an option.
At the test track, a Limited Hybrid from the 2022 model year made a 7.1-second run to 60 mph. That was 1.7 seconds quicker than the nonhybrid, and the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid needed 7.3 seconds. For the next generation, Hyundai drops the 2.5-liter four-cylinder and offers a 184 horsepower engine with 195 lb-ft.
The hybrid has two electric motors, makes 233 horsepower, tows with a 3,000-lbs towing capacity and earns 42 mpg in combined city and highway driving. The plug-in will not return to the United States, but Hyundai may add a range-extender later.
On the road, the crossover feels comfortable and nimble enough, though the weighty steering has some inertia and very little friction. The car controls roll and yaw well, so passengers stay happy on the motorway and on roundabouts.
The drive selector and drive modes on the centre console work simply, and the aircon controls use a touch panel. The hushed interior at cruising speed is a highlight, and the handling and efficiency suit family use. I would skip the Terrain Modes, Mud, Sand and Snow, because most owners will never use them.
Interior, Comfort & Cargo
Inside, the Tucson greets you with two 12.3in screens, one for touchscreen infotainment and one as a digital dash panel. They bring wireless Apple/Android connectivity and wireless phone charging, which I use every day. Hyundai also hides its badges inside and tucks the logo at the bottom of the rear windscreen, so replacement glass may cost more.
The US version shows a pair of 12.3-inch screens too, with an optional instrument panel and an uncluttered dashboard. It keeps physical switchgear for HVAC and volume/tuning control, and the theme mixes dark texture with bright accents. Hyundai builds modern interiors that stay affordable, and this one proves it.
The cabin fits four adults well, and testers packed nine carry-on suitcases behind the second-row seats. Fold those seats and the luggage capacity grows to 22 bags. This space works great for family trips.
The next-gen Tucson pushes a minimalist design further, and the 2027 Tucson moves the gearshift to the steering column. A two-layer instrument panel keeps key controls in your line of sight, while climate controls and audio controls sit below the center stack. You can add massaging front seats and multi-air mode climate control to improve airflow and cabin comfort.
Infotainment, Tech & Connectivity
Hyundai fitted a 12.3-inch infotainment screen as standard and brought back physical buttons and knobs for core functions. Upper trim levels add a two-screens-in-one dashboard, which replaces the analog gauge cluster in the Tucson Hybrid. This tech feels quick to learn.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and the center console offers a wireless charging pad. Step up to N Line or Limited trim for Bose premium audio. The digital key smartphone app handles lock and unlock and remote start, and the strong connectivity makes daily use easy.
The new model brings a 12.9-inch touchscreen, with a 17-inch unit as an upgrade. Both run Pleos Connect infotainment software with an AI assistant.
Tucson Car
The plug-in-hybrid uses a 13.8-kWh battery pack that gives 32 miles of electric-only driving by EPA-estimated numbers. A 7.2-kW onboard charger reaches full charge in two hours on a Level 2 charging station. With a full tank of gas, C/D saw a total range of 380 highway miles in real-world testing, yet it missed the list of longest-range PHEVs.
The Tucson Hybrid claims 38 mpg city and 38 mpg highway, and the plug-in earns 77 MPGe combined. On the 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, the hybrid returned only 28 mpg, a full 10 mpg below the EPA figure. That gap reminds me to trust tests over brochure numbers.
For 2026, a Night trim joins as a hybrid model with 19-inch black wheels and glossy black exterior trim. Front-wheel drive SE and SEL cars arrive with starting prices of $32,550 and $34,000. The 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid costs $32,950 and climbs to $50,550 depending on trim and options.
The 2027 Tucson follows an Art of Steel design philosophy, with boxy angles and muscular styling. The body is longer, wider and taller, so you get a spacious interior, and the door opening angles grow by 10 degrees. Full-width LED lighting strips run across the front and rear, where the headlights sit below a light bar that replaces the daytime running lights. The taillights look three dimensional and stick out from the body panel.
The XRT trim returns with a rugged aesthetic, extra ground clearance and all-terrain tires. It also gets skid plates, carbon-fiber trim and a unique front end, so it suits off-road trips.
Are Hyundais a Bit Cool Then?
Yes, Hyundai feels strident and confident now, with real consistency across its entire range, and the Santa Fe shows it. The Tucson name appeared in 2004 on a quirky looking car that offered value for money. The two generations after it, including the ix35 in the UK, dropped aesthetic interest to match the tidy dynamics and interior quality of rivals.
Now interesting styling is back. The slick interior follows newer models in the Hyundai line-up, with 12.3in screens. A touchscreen infotainment system sits on one side and a driver’s digital instrument panel on the other.
Does It Come with Decent Safety Tech?
Yes, the safety tech is strong. The driver assistance systems work better than those of rivals, and short button presses get them turned off. When I flick the indicator, the digital dial display shows a high-res camera feed in place of the speedometer or rev counter, from the left or right side. It works like blind spot monitoring and keeps an eye on cyclists and mopeds.
Are There Buttons for the Aircon?
Not exactly. The climate controls are not buttons, but they stay fixed and avoid a sub-menu. The touch sensitive panel of aircon controls is a fair compromise. Shortcut buttons on the dash and steering wheel are configurable, so I turn off driver assist systems like speed limit and lane keep assist on each start.
What’s It Like in the Back?
The back has lots of space, with cubby holes for devices and room for four. Someone in the middle will feel cosy. Higher spec cars add heated outer rear seats, tri-zone climate control, integrated sun blinds on all but entry trim, and a sleep mode that splits front and rear audio. Two USB-C plugs keep teenagers happy.
The rear seats split 40/20/40 to open up bootspace. The standard ICE car has the most luggage space, with 620 litres, or 1,799 litres with seats folded. The mild hybrid loses 43 litres, the hybrid loses four litres, and the PHEV gives 558 and 1,737 litres, so ask yourself how much you need that e-range.
Final Thoughts
The fourth-gen SUV shows how broad shouldered Hyundai has become, because the first Tucson car looked odd and never made a statement. Today’s car chases attracting attention in a saturated car market with confident styling. Some Tucson buyers may grumble, but I think the bold approach works.
If you buy for sensibility, the equipment list and the warranty will win you over. The driving feels decent and the tech is well-implemented. Only the gruff petrol engine lets it down.
The 2027 Hyundai Tucson is an upgrade, and its exterior styling now matches the rest of the SUV range. Its turbocharged engine will not feel quick, since Hyundai claims 60 mph in 8.5 seconds. Still, a spacious interior and higher fuel economy make it a fine pick for families.
FAQs
What engines does the Tucson car offer?
Every powertrain uses a 1.6-litre turbo petrol, from the base car to the mild hybrid, standard hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
How much does the Tucson car cost?
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid starts at $32,950 and climbs to $50,550 depending on trim and options.
What tech comes in the Tucson?
You get two 12.3-inch screens, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a wireless charging pad, so it feels easy to live with.
How big is the Tucson car boot?
The standard ICE car offers 620 litres with the seats up and 1,799 litres with the seats folded.
What is new in the 2027 Tucson?
The 2027 Tucson brings boxy angles, Art of Steel styling, a 12.9-inch touchscreen and Pleos Connect with an AI assistant.
