Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
The compact SUV segment constitutes almost 20% of all automotive sales in the United States, so it’s essential to auto buyers looking for more amenities in smaller packages. Hyundai is well aware of the narrative and plays a good game in this field with the updated 2025 Tucson, which is now in its 4th generation and represents the Korean automaker’s best-selling vehicle.
Out in Los Olivos, CA, in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County for the national media drive, I evaluated the little guy for a full day on adventurous rural roads while admiring the array of vineyard grapes and agricultural lands. The sporty redesign gives the Tucson a crisper look with angular creases, stylish alloy rims, body molding, anodized aluminum badging, and pronounced wheel wells. Overall, the wheelbase and width remain the same, but the Hyundai is longer than its competitors, which translates to additional interior space. Product planners say the design is indicative of the movement of horses while featuring a new grille, an enhanced front fascia and rear bumper, and an updated vertical lighting theme. But let’s not get carried away, this is a value vehicle and does not have the power of stallions!
“The refreshed 2025 Tucson SUV expands the appeal of our full-spectrum eco-powertrain approach, offering internal combustion, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models in a popular compact SUV design,” said José Muñoz, president and global COO of Hyundai Motor Company and president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America. “With all-wheel drive offered on gas and hybrid models, customers can enjoy all-road, all-weather capability coupled with outstanding efficiency and an attractive variety of trims, including outdoor-focused XRT and sporty N Line models.”
Speaking of XRT, this moniker is Hyundai’s lifestyle trim, which allows active owners to venture outside the beaten path, whether heading to trails, campgrounds, or national parks. XRTs are rugged with black trim and cladding, specific XRT 18” rims, and all-terrain tires capable of light off-road work. I suggest pairing your XRT with HTRAC all-wheel drive (AWD) to handle unpredictable landscapes and inclement weather, especially since this system has a Snow mode and 50/50 torque split. After exploring nature, you will undoubtedly feel comfortably at home in the intriguing and gifted cabin of the Korean compact.
To empower your 2025 Hyundai Tucson with efficiency, owners can choose the standard gas, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid powertrain. I prefer hybrid vehicles’ extended range, which offers the best of both worlds. In fact, 23% of Hyundai sales consist of hybrids and EVs with the Tucson hybrid achieving a combined 38 mpg (AWD). The array of engine and transmission pairings include the 2.5-liter GDI and 8-speed automatic transmission, a turbocharged 1.6-liter hybrid and 6-speed automatic transmission (500-mile range), and a turbocharged 1.6-liter plug-in hybrid and 6-speed automatic transmission. The gas engine and hybrid provide smooth and compliant rides but can use a bit more acceleration power overall. Hyundai says the hybrid is more fuel-efficient while delivering additional torque over the gasoline model. In addition, the plug-in hybrid furnishes owners with 32 all-electric miles and can fully rejuvenate in less than two hours with a level-2 charger.
Hyundai calls the cabin a human-centric experience since the technology will appease drivers and passengers alike. A redesigned 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display conjoin into one panoramic curved display for simpler operations and viewing. An 8-speaker Bose premium audio system with a subwoofer was ideal for my cultural reggae vibes during the longer segments of the drive, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Ambient lighting, an upper dashboard tray, a proximity key with a push-button starter, front and rear dual USB-c ports, over-the-air (OTA) update capability, and Hyundai Digital Key 2 (substitute your phone for the key) catapult the new Hyundai Tucson to the next level. More importantly, there are buttons and knobs to adjust key functions! These new features and amenities collectively made for an enjoyable day of driving in the Santa Barbara area.
And I can’t forget the Hyundai SmartSense Safety bundle that keeps you and your guests as sound as possible on the road. Forward Attention Warning has been added to help track your alertness and attentiveness behind the wheel. Other critical protection systems include Safe Exit Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance, Smart Cruise Control 2, and Blind-Spot Collision Warning. Bravo!
While competing with industry leaders such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, the 2025 Tucson has a starting MSRP of $28,355 for the entry-level Tucson SE FWD and moves up to $47,090 for the Tucson Limited Plug-in Hybrid AWD. In total, there are 16 models and configurations you can choose from, such as the SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, or N Line Hybrid AWD.
