Monday, 17 February 2025

2025 Hyundai Tucson refresh adds tech, design upgrades Featured

Posted On Sunday, 15 December 2024 23:14 Written by
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The 2025 Hyundai Tucson gets a refreshed design and updated tech setup. The 2025 Hyundai Tucson gets a refreshed design and updated tech setup. Photo courtesy of Hyundai

With the compact SUV being one of the most popular options for car buyers, it’s important for brands to keep their entries in this class relevant.

Hyundai has an impressive overall SUV lineup, and that includes the compact Tucson, which gets some refreshes for 2025 — including design updates as well as an improved tech setup.


It also comes in hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, which can entice eco-friendly buyers, and remains an option for the budget-conscious buyer due to its pricing and strong warranties.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of the 2025 Hyundai Tucson — which faces tough competition from the Toyota RAV4, Chevy Equinox, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue, Mazda CX-50, Kia Sportage and more.


Read on for a full breakdown of how it holds up in the segment.


LOOKS 

As part of its updates for 2025, the Tucson delivers a bold, rugged exterior design that stands out in the segment. There are distinct lines on the side of the vehicle, and its grille and lighting designs are unlike other SUVs. Changes for 2025 impact both the front and back ends of the vehicle, as well as wheel designs. My test vehicle featured a Rockwood Green paint color, and hidden headlights.

Other key design features are 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, roof side rails, automatic LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED tail lamps, and a hands-free smart power liftgate.

Hyundai takes more risks with design than some rivals, and the result is a very attractive vehicle that doesn’t blend into the crowd.

Moving inside, you’ll find a well-designed vehicle, including unique storage options such as a shelf in front of the front-seat passenger to hold your wallet, phone and other items.

You’ll also immediately notice the one long screen that houses both the digital gauges and the center screen in a very sleek design.

The Tucson features a roomy interior for all 5 passengers, as well as comfortable, leather-trimmed seats. Materials used throughout the vehicle are high-quality for a non-luxury ride.

Other interior features include: Ambient interior lighting, dual automatic temperature control, leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats; heated rear seats, and rain-sensing front windshield wipers.

Cargo capacity is also quite competitive for the segment in the Tucson, with 38.7 cubic feet behind the second row, and roughly 80 cubic feet available with the back row down.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

The standard power plant on the 2025 Tucson is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Both FWD and AWD options are offered.

Output numbers on the Tucson come in at 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. (Note: the hybrid version of the Tucson clocks in at 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet; and the plug-in hybrid reaches 268 horsepower and 271 pound-feet)

If you’re looking to get moving quickly off the line, the Tucson isn’t going to be your go-to ride, as its 0-to-60 numbers are close to 9 seconds. You’ll get slightly better acceleration from the Tucson’s hybrid options.

The reality as it relates to overall power is that the Tucson isn’t going to be the most powerful option in its class, so thrill seekers shouldn’t look here.

On the positive side, the Tucson delivers a quiet, smooth and enjoyable ride that drivers and passengers will appreciate. It handles well, is responsive to driver input, and brakes effectively. The suspension adapts well to bumpy roads. And despite its lack of power, you have more than enough for proper highway merging and passing.

Drive mode options on the Tucson include: Normal, Sport, and Snow.
Towing capacity is limited, at just 2,000 pounds.

 
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

Overall, Hyundai’s lineup offers one of the better tech setups available in today’s new vehicles.

The updated Tucson’s tech setup is centered around a large, 12.3-inch rectangular infotainment screen with touchscreen controls, which are complemented by a mix of touch-sensitive and physical buttons below the screen. All controls are easy to master, and voice commands are quite responsive.

There is also a 12.3-inch digital screen in front of the driver, housed within the same long display as the center screen.

Highlights of the system include Navigation, AM/FM/HD radio, a three-month trial of SiriusXM satellite radio (a service worth the subscription), wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, wireless phone charging, and four USB ports.

There’s also an excellent Bose sound system with eight speakers, that sounds crisp on both the high and low end.

With Hyundai Digital Key, you can lock/unlock/remote start the Tucson via your smartphone.

Moving on to safety, there is an excellent catalogue of safety features included with the Tucson. I found the Head-Up Display to be especially helpful and keep the driver’s eyes on the road, and the Tucson’s rearview camera offers multiple views including a birds-eye Surround View where you can see all around the car, which is very helpful for parking situations.

Other helpful safety features include: Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Smart Cruise Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Highway Driving Assist, Remote Smart Parking Assist, a full array of air bags, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Blind Spot View Monitor, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Parking Distance Warning, Reverse/Forward/Side, Safe Exit Warning and Rear Occupant Alert.

MPG

Official fuel mileage numbers on the 2025 Hyundai Tucson with all-wheel drive are 24 city/30 highway/26 combined. Front-wheel drive versions jump up to 25 city/33 highway/28 combined.

These are solid overall numbers, but fall short of several rival compact SUVs. However, in my real-world testing with the AWD version, I experienced numbers lower than the listed figures, coming in at 22 miles per gallon.

PRICE

The Tucson I tested was at the top trim level (Limited) and priced just over $41K. Base price on the Tucson starts about $29K. These numbers are comparable to key rival SUVs from Honda, Toyota and others.

Trim levels on the Tucson include SE, SEL, XRT, SEL Convenience and Limited. Most buyers will be happy with the offerings of the SEL trim level, which costs about $32K.

For those looking for a greener ride, the hybrid Tucson starts around $33K, and the plug-in hybrid version starts just under $40K.

Warranties on the Tucson are the best you’ll find in the industry, including:

— 5-year/60,000 mile new vehicle warranty
— 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty
— 7-year/unlimited mile anti-perforation warranty
— 3-year/36,000 mile complimentary maintenance
— 5-year/unlimited mile roadside assistance


BOTTOM LINE

The refreshed 2025 Hyundai Tucson features a sharp design, user-friendly interior, excellent tech and affordable pricing, and is a solid compact SUV option.

There’s a lot of competition in this category, including some vehicles with a more powerful drive, but the Tucson is definitely worth a test drive and will likely draw many fans with its unique looks and improved design and tech.

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AutoTechReviews.com can be found on Twitter @AutoTechReview, or stay updated at the AutoTechReviews Facebook page. Follow AutoTechReviews on Instagram at @Autotechreviews. Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu

Additional Info

  • Vehicle: 2025 Hyundai Tucson 
  • Price as tested: $41,400 (starts around $29K)
  • Best feature: Sharp design, smooth ride, advanced technology
  • Rating: 4 out of five stars   
  • Who will want this vehicle?: Families seeking an affordable and capable compact SUV 
Matt M. Myftiu

Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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