2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid Expert Review
Reviewed by Duncan Brady
Plug-in hybrids are a viable alternative for buyers not ready to make the leap to a pure electric vehicle. The Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid is part of a flourishing segment of plug-in hybrid compact SUVs that includes the Toyota RAV4 Prime, Dodge Hornet R/T, Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid, and Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid. For the 2024 model year, Hyundai has introduced a few notable updates to the SUV.
What's New
- Standard rear side airbags
- Steering wheel haptic feedback for lane keep assist and blind-spot monitoring
- Hampton Gray joins the color options
- Larger infotainment display is now standard
What We Think
In plug-in hybrid form, the Tucson is a powerful, stylish, efficient machine, so what's not to like? More on that in a moment.
We've praised the standard Tucson for its surprisingly planted handling and engaging drive, and the PHEV's 261 hp and immediate electric torque are welcome enhancements. That said, it's not quite as quick as some peers in the segment.
Besides, efficiency and electric range take precedence in a practical plug-in hybrid. The Tucson PHEV is cheap to fuel compared with other Tucson models, though the plug-in's direct competitors can provide superior electric range, plus better fuel economy when the battery runs empty. Another qualm: The plug-in hybrid's motor and battery cut in on the Tucson's cargo space and rear legroom.
Even if the electric half of its powertrain isn't quite as impressive as you'd get in some of its rivals, the Tucson is still a stylish, techy crossover with great feature-per-dollar value. If all that sounds appealing in a gas-electric vehicle, the Tucson PHEV could make a lot of sense.
Performance, Efficiency, and Electric Range
The Tucson Plug-in Hybrid builds on the Tucson Hybrid, taking that car's 1.6-liter turbocharged I-4 and augmenting it with a higher-capacity battery (13.8 kWh) and a more powerful electric motor. AWD is standard, and combined output amounts to 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, which is good for 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds.
What separates the PHEV from the standard hybrid (aside from the additional power) is that it can operate solely on electric power. According to the EPA, the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid can travel 33 miles on electricity alone. That should be enough for most around-town errands, but it's worth noting the Toyota RAV4 Prime is rated for 42 miles of electric range, plus it's more efficient than the Tucson once the battery is spent, returning 38 mpg combined to the Tucson's 35 mpg.
Safety Rating and Features
The 2023 Tucson earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though since it hasn't been evaluated in the institute's new side test, it doesn't qualify for 2023 awards.
Automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane keep assist are included on all trims. The Limited model adds a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, improved adaptive cruise with lane centering, and a blind-spot camera feed.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The Tucson PHEV has less rear legroom and cargo space than the conventional hybrid model. The Hyundai has more rear legroom than the Toyota RAV4 Prime, though.
Technology
Although last year's model saddled the base model with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, all examples of the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid now feature a 10.3-inch display with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A wireless charging pad and phone-as-a-key functionality are standard. Stepping up to the Tucson Limited adds a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bose premium audio, and voice recognition.
Would You Prefer a Fully Electric Tucson?
Hyundai may not build an electric version of the Tucson, but there's an alternative that starts below the Tucson Plug-in's price ceiling. You've likely heard us talk about the Hyundai Ioniq 5, our 2023 SUV of the Year and Hyundai's first electric SUV. The Ioniq 5 is a quick-charging, retrofuturistic, well-rounded gem of a thing that's a much better vehicle than the Tucson PHEV. If you can swing the price difference and an EV works with your lifestyle, we highly recommend it.
Recommended Trim
At the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid Limited's estimated $46,000 price point, we'd suggest you skip the gas engine altogether and opt for a Hyundai Ioniq 5. The SEL trim is more appealing at around $39,000, and it still gets the big infotainment screen, standard AWD, and most of the safety features.
