The all-new 2022 Hyundai Tucson really is all-new. From a new platform, a new exterior and interior design language, and some technology never-before-seen in a Tucson, there are so many reasons why this compact crossover is such a radically re-engineered product. The new Tucson may also have the most diverse lineup of compact crossover on sale today.
This 2022 model has a 2.5L four-cylinder model with front-wheel-drive powertrain as standard (and available with all-wheel-drive), a hybrid model, a performance-designed N-Line AWD model, and a plug-in hybrid version will be available later this year.
Just from the powertrain department, there is a lot of choices to pick from in the new Tuscon. Will this new compact crossover provide something for everyone?
The Hybrid Drivetrain
For today’s review, the model featured is the Luxury Hybrid trim with a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder and standard AWD. The hybrid features a 1.49kWh lithium-ion battery pack to provide the electrical charge of the system and help increase the power output. The combined power output of this power plant, with an electric motor fitted between the engine and a six-speed gearbox, is 226 horsepower and 258lb/ft of torque. This combined system output makes the new Tucson feel very quick off of the line, and Hyundai claims this hybrid system is 30% more fuel-efficient than the 2.5L standard model.
The government rated fuel efficiency of 6.3/6.6./6.4L/100km (city/highway/combined). In US MPG, these figures are 37.3/35.6/36.8, respectively. The hybrid model also provides some hard-to-find features in the naturally-aspirated, strictly gasoline versions of the lower trim Tucson's, which will be brought up later. For the as-tested price of this penultimate trim, the Tucson Hybrid goes for $40,950CAD.
The electric torque is always at peak output when at low speed, and when the engine reignites, the turbocharger provides another level of thrust. The final result is a quick and engaging power delivery when the driver demands it so. The traditional six-speed transmission is fairly uncommon in most hybrids, so the Tucson lacks the undesirable groan that other hybrids suffer with due to their continuously variable transmissions. The biggest criticism that comes from the driving experience would have to be the Hyundai’s ride quality. Comparing it to two of the most popular choices in this segment, the Toyota RAV4, and the Mazda CX-5, the Tucson sits in between these two vehicles for ride quality. Whereas the Toyota is plush and the Mazda is involving, the Tucson is firmer than the Toyota but lacks the rebound of the Mazda, so it feels a few degrees off the commendable drive a CX-5 can deliver.
Otherwise, the Hyundai is confident in its driving style with precise steering and a small amount of roll in the corners. Road isolation has come a long way in the new lineup of Korean vehicles with incredible refinement on the highway. Interior space is plentiful; six-footers will have nothing to complain about in the third row. Perhaps the only downside to the hybrid, aside from the additional purchase price, is that the lithium-ion battery will take up almost all of the space underneath the false floor. In the standard variants, this space would house a spare wheel, but there is no spare wheel for the hybrid, and it will come with a tire inflation kit.
A Full Regeneration
The new exterior design language of the Tucson is sharp and features a lot of triangular shapes pressed into the sheet metal and other elements such as the taillights and the rear bumper. Every angle offers something exciting to stare at, and the integrated daytime running lights give the new Tucson a sense that it really is a concept car that somehow made its way to the dealerships. The new Tucson and the upcoming compact pickup truck, the 2022 Santa Cruz, are both heavily influenced by the Vision T concept, in fact. The interior is wonderfully opposed to the exterior as there’s a lot of flowing surfaces and smooth lines that give all occupants of the new Tucson something to admire when inside.
This Tucson Hybrid has the 10.25inch digital instrument cluster as standard, and other clever touches like the Diffuser air system and the ambient lighting features are all new pieces of equipment for the Tucson. The interior is spacious, well-built and the implementation of all the latest hardware and software is brilliantly executed in the new Tucson. There may be a few more hard plastics in the door-cards compared to its rivals, but that doesn’t downgrade from the build quality of the new Tucson. Something that will likely cause issues in the future is the littering of grossly black plastic in the Tucson. Though it is integrated well, the need to constantly clean these surfaces could become bothersome to owners.
The Tucson is Now Amongst the Best of the Best
During the period of testing the new Hyundai Tucson hybrid, this compact crossover really impressed and left a lasting impression. This hybrid should be considered to anyone shopping in the compact crossover segment, even if a hybrid isn’t on their shopping list. Hopefully, there will be another opportunity in the future to spend more time with the Tucson, and that’s a compliment rarely given out in this industry. Due to the diverse range of choices, another chance to drive the new 2022 Tucson likely won’t be far away.
This review was made possible with the help of the Dilawri Group and Hyundai Gallery in Calgary's Northwest Auto Mall