2025 Hyundai Tucson Road Test and Review

2025 Hyundai Tucson XRT ・ Photo by Hyundai

The compact sport-utility segment is one of the most popular in the United States, and that fact isn’t lost on the executives at Hyundai. So when they began to prepare their heavily revised version of the Hyundai Tucson to compete in that competitive cauldron, they knew a lot was riding on their decisions. Happily for them, they got a lot of things right. The new-for-2025 Hyundai Tucson builds on its previously established reputation as a top contender in the category with an impressive salvo of innovative features and enhancements that make it an even better choice.

While not an entirely new model, the Tucson introduces significant upgrades for the model year, including a redesigned interior, bolder exterior styling, and a wealth of tech improvements. Key features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a panoramic instrument display, and a drive-by-wire shifter elevate the driving experience to a new level. Beyond those impressive upgrades, there are innovative features like “Baby Mode,” which softens initial acceleration for a smoother ride, that demonstrate clearly the 2025 Tucson intends to give compact SUV consumers exactly what they want, plus additions they never even thought of. For those in search of a tech-forward, high-value vehicle with space for up to five passengers and their inevitable stuff, the Tucson is an excellent choice.

Trims and Pricing

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson offers a diverse range of trims to cater to various preferences and needs. With conventional, hybrid and plug-in hybrids, the Tucson gives buyers a comprehensive set of drivetrains. And it then spreads those drivetrains across a plethora of trims. The conventional Tucson is available in five flavors: SE, SEL, SEL Convenience, XRT, and Limited. For those seeking hybrid options, the Tucson Hybrid is offered in Blue, SEL Convenience, N Line, and Limited trims, while the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) comes in SEL and Limited variants.

Pricing starts with the front-wheel-drive SE trim at $28,705, a well-rounded base package at less than $30K. At the other end of the scale, the higher-end Limited trim, which is available in both conventional and hybrid versions, offers a robust list of premium features. It starts at $38,645 for the conventional model and $47,440 for the Plug-in Hybrid AWD. The Tucson Hybrid N Line, which delivers sportier design and features, starts at $38,215. The XRT trim has off-road flair with exclusive wheels, cladding and revised fascias. It’s available only with the conventional powertrain with a suggested base price of $33,015.

2025 Hyundai Tucson N Line ・ Photo by Hyundai

Conventional & Hybrid Power, EPA Numbers

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson offers three distinct powertrain options, catering to a variety of performance and efficiency needs. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivers solid performance, making it suitable for everyday driving, with fuel economy estimates of 28 mpg combined for the FWD models and 26 mpg combined for AWD versions.

For those seeking even better fuel efficiency, the Tucson Hybrid offers a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, generating a combined 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. This hybrid system is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and comes standard with all-wheel drive. The Hybrid Blue trim, the most efficient of the Tucson models, achieves an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined, while the other hybrid variants achieve 36 mpg combined.

2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid ・ Photo by Hyundai

Plug-In Hybrid Power, EPA Numbers

The Tucson PHEV combines the same turbocharged 1.6-liter engine used in the hybrid trims with a more powerful electric motor, resulting in a total of 268 horsepower. Like the conventional hybrids, the PHEV features a six-speed automatic transmission and full-time all-wheel drive. The EPA has rated the 2025 Tucson PHEV at 77 MPGe in combined driving. Without plugging it in, it achieves a 35 mpg rating.

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson PHEV offers an EPA-estimated all-electric driving range of 32 miles on a full charge. This allows drivers to complete short commutes and daily errands without using gasoline. Once the electric range is depleted, the vehicle switches to its gasoline engine. Unlike some PHEVs that suffer clunky transitions from gas to electric, the Tucson PHEV feels seamless.

2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV ・ Photo by Hyundai

More Useful Interior

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson's interior offers a pleasant blend of modern aesthetics, advanced technology, and enhanced comfort. The cabin’s centerpiece is a panoramic curved dashboard that integrates a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a matching 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. While that’s a modern touch, another significant upgrade is distinctly retro. Physical knobs and switches have been reintroduced for frequently used controls, such as audio volume, tuning, and climate settings, and we applaud the change. It makes the controls much easier to use underway.

At the same time, the center console has been reconfigured with a wireless charging pad positioned atop the lid, making it more accessible. The shift-by-wire gear selector has been relocated to the steering column, freeing up space for, among other things, a new dashboard tray that provides convenient storage for small items.

Seating options vary across trims, with cloth, H-Tex synthetic, and leather upholstery available. The base SE trim features a six-way adjustable driver's seat, while higher trims, such as the SEL Convenience, offer an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support. The Limited trim further enhances comfort with ventilated front seats and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. All trims provide ample space for five passengers, with rear legroom and hip room surpassing that of competitors like the Toyota RAV4.

2025 Hyundai Tucson ・ Photo by Hyundai

Utility and Cargo Hauling

The re-tooled 2025 Hyundai Tucson offers impressive cargo capacity, making it extremely versatile. With the rear seats in use, the Tucson provides 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 80.3 cubic feet when the 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks are folded down. For hybrid models, cargo capacity is slightly reduced due to the placement of the hybrid battery. The Tucson Hybrid offers 38.7 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 74.5 cubic feet with the seats folded.

Hyundai has also enhanced usability with a dual-level cargo floor, allowing for organized storage and easy access to items. Additionally, a hands-free smart liftgate with adjustable height is standard on all trims except the base SE, facilitating loading and unloading. A convenient release lever for the rear seats is positioned in the cargo area, simplifying the process of expanding the storage space.

2025 Hyundai Tucson ・ Photo by Hyundai

Upgraded Big-Screen Infotainment

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson's infotainment system represents a significant step forward versus the previous up-level system. At its core is a panoramic curved display running across the dashboard featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a matching 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. This dual-screen setup offers sharp graphics, fast processing speeds, and intuitive layouts, ensuring better ease of use for drivers and passengers alike.

For reasons Hyundai never entirely explained, the previous Tucson’s top-level infotainment system lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. Now that serious shortfall has vanished with wireless connectivity for both now standard across all trims. At the same time, the new infotainment system makes what was already a good interface that much better.

Those seeking enhanced audio quality will be pleased to learn the Limited trim offers a premium Bose audio system, delivering rich sound throughout the cabin. The system supports over-the-air software updates, ensuring that the vehicle's multimedia and navigation systems remain current without the need for dealership visits.

2025 Hyundai Tucson ・ Photo by Hyundai

Comprehensive Safety Gear

Hyundai equips the 2025 Tucson with a comprehensive suite of standard and available driver assistance technologies under the Hyundai SmartSense umbrella. Standard features across all trims include forward collision-avoidance assist, which detects and mitigates potential collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles at intersections. Lane-keeping and lane-following assists work together to provide steering assistance, helping the vehicle stay centered within its lane. Blind-spot collision-avoidance assist alerts drivers to vehicles in adjacent lanes and can intervene to prevent accidents, while rear cross-traffic assist detects potential collisions when backing up. In addition, Tucsons offer safe exit warning, driver attention monitor, and rear-seat occupant alert.

Higher Tucson trims offer additional features, including Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist, which provides semi-automated driving support on highways by using navigation and sensor data. An available surround-view camera system gives drivers a bird's-eye view of the area around the vehicle, aiding parking and low-speed maneuvers. And the Tucson’s navigation-based adaptive cruise control adjusts the vehicle’s speed based on upcoming curves and road conditions.

2025 Hyundai Tucson ・ Photo by Hyundai

Third-Party Safety Recognition

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has evaluated the 2025 Tucson and awarded it the prestigious Top Safety Pick+ designation. This rating reflects the Tucson's excellent performance in various crashworthiness tests, including the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side crash tests, where it received Good ratings in all categories. Additionally, the Tucson earned Good ratings for its headlights and Acceptable ratings for its pedestrian front crash prevention system.

As of July 2025, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson has not yet received official safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA has announced that the Tucson is among the 2025 vehicles selected for crash testing under its 5-Star Safety Ratings program, but the results have not been published.

2025 Hyundai Tucson ・ Photo by Hyundai

Impressive Technology Innovations

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson offers advanced connectivity and thoughtful comfort features, including the innovative Baby Mode. Designed to enhance the driving experience for families with infants, it moderates the vehicle's immediate acceleration from a standstill. By softening initial throttle response and limiting maximum torque during acceleration, the system delivers a smoother ride for young (and older) passengers. It also reduces torque during backing up, making parking and low-speed driving more manageable. This feature is standard on all hybrid and plug-in hybrid models and can be activated via the My Drive settings.

The 2025 Tucson also offers leading-edge tech of another sort. It’s equipped with Hyundai's Bluelink+ connectivity suite at no additional cost. Bluelink+ offers a range of remote services accessible through the smartphone app or the vehicle's infotainment system. Features include remote start with climate control, remote door lock/unlock, vehicle diagnostics, and destination search synced with the navigation system. The system also provides a remote car finder and supports over-the-air updates for the vehicle's software.

2025 Hyundai Tucson ・ Photo by Hyundai

Better in All Areas

The Hyundai Tucson has been a popular vehicle for years, but the 2025 model-year changes upgrade it significantly. The vehicle's exterior presents a bolder, more modern design, and its interior enhancements truly stand out. The panoramic digital display array, wide dashboard, and revised center console not only catch your eye but also make the Tucson more user-friendly. The new infotainment system provides faster response times and now includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a much-needed add.

While the conventional powertrain remains unchanged, the hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants now offer more horsepower, and the addition of the hydrids’ Baby Mode enhances comfort for passengers by moderating acceleration. The Tucson’s four-wheel-drive systems benefit from e-Motion technology, improving overall agility.

The 2025 Tucson competes with compact SUVs like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Toyota RAV4 — all strong competitors. It sets itself apart with Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, reinforcing its reputation for reliability. The SUV’s updates, combined with its well-rounded offering of technology, comfort, and performance, make it a strong contender in its very challenging class.

2025 Hyundai Tucson ・ Photo by Hyundai