2025 Hyundai Tucson Premium Hybrid review

The Hyundai Tucson line-up has been revised with the addition of a new hybrid powertrain and updated tech across the now extensive range. With Hyundai’s popular N-Line styling option extended to more Tucson models, there's plenty to interest family buyers in the competitive medium SUV segment.

The Hyundai Tucson SUV has ditched its diesel in favour of a petrol-powered hybrid powertrain, promising a driving range of over 800km on a full tank and fuel consumption as low as 5.3L/100km (ADR Combined).

Replacing the 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine in the outgoing Hyundai Tucson is a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine paired with a small 1.49kWh battery and 47.7kW electric motor. The 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol and 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engines carry over from the previous generation Tucson, with all three engines available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, across three model grades. The N Line styling pack is available across the new Hyundai Tucson range.

Competition in the medium SUV segment, where the Hyundai Tucson is sold, has increased significantly, including the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Tesla Model Y, and Mitsubishi Outlander.

How much does a Hyundai Tucson cost?

Hyundai has taken the "more is more" approach to the new Tucson line-up, offering levels of choice which should ensure there’s a Tucson variant for most buyers and budgets. The entry model is priced at $39,100 and the vehicle on test here, the Hyundai Tucson Premium Hybrid N-Line, sits atop the range priced at $61,100 plus on-road costs.

Three model grades are available in the 2025 Hyundai Tucson range: the standard Tucson, Tucson Elite, and Tucson Premium. Three powertrains are also available, depending on model grade.

The entry-level Hyundai Tucson is available exclusively as a front-wheel drive model with either the new 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid powertrain or the carry-over 2.0-litre petrol engine.

The mid-spec Hyundai Tucson Elite is available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, dependent on engine choice, with the hybrid, 2.0-litre petrol engine, or the carried-over 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine all available at this grade.

At the top of the Hyundai Tucson range is the Premium grade, which is available exclusively as an all-wheel drive model with either the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine or the 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid powertrain.

The N-Line Option Pack is available across the range on every variant except the Hyundai Tucson Elite front-wheel drive with the 2.0-litre engine.

The new Hyundai Tucson is supported by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and an eight-year/160,000-kilometre warranty on the high-voltage battery. Servicing costs for the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid are higher than those for the standard petrol engines. The service interval is set at 12 months/10,000km, with service costs ranging between $340 and $560 per service, depending on the interval. If you choose to service at a Hyundai dealership, expect to pay $2,040 over the first 50,000km for scheduled service items.

Hyundai Tucson exterior design

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson continues to feature its sharply creased bodylines, but its exterior has been updated with a new grille and bumper, a skid plate, and LED headlights.

The rear bumper has also been updated and includes LED taillights, while updated 18- or 19-inch wheels feature depending on variant.

Paint options have been extended to nine, including new Cashmere Bronze and Pine Green Matte. Expect to pay $595 for premium paint and $1,000 for matte if you choose to upgrade your Tucson.

What is the Hyundai Tucson like inside?

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson Premium interior has been updated with a cockpit lifted by the inclusion of a segment-first panoramic curved display, which incorporates both the infotainment screen and driver information display.

The Tucson’s cabin has been reconfigured, with the conventional gear shifter relocated to a stalk on the steering column—freeing up storage in the centre console for an easily accessible wireless phone charger. In practice, the selector (also used in the Hyundai Santa Fe and new Kona EV) is a bit fiddly to use, as it is obscured by the steering wheel—so you need to remember which way is ‘drive’ and which is ‘reverse’.

Leather-appointed upholstery is standard in the Hyundai Tucson Premium, with a choice of three colours: black, black/grey, and dark green/grey.

The optional N-Line pack introduces a black headliner, obsidian black leather and suede seats with red stitching, and metal design elements—all of which contribute to delivering a sportier feel to the Tucson's up-spec interior.

Technology upgrades include wireless Apple CarPlay, a head-up display, and customisable ambient lighting.

Is the Hyundai Tucson good to drive?

In the Premium model, the hybrid powertrain is paired exclusively with an all-wheel drive system. As we found in the new Hyundai Santa Fe, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is enjoyable and rewarding to drive.

Combined with the electric motor, the max power of the hybrid powertrain delivers 172kW and 264Nm, generating plenty of power from standing starts or while overtaking. A number of drive modes are available on the Tucson, and a sport steering tune can be selected for more engaging driving. Select Sport mode and the paddle shifters allow you to change gears, while selecting Eco will see them change to controls for the regenerative braking system.

The hybrid system is refined in town and delivers the best fuel economy for the Tucson under stop-start conditions. On the open road, however, where the opportunity to use regenerative braking is diminished, the Hyundai Tucson’s fuel economy falls short, especially if you choose to select Sport mode and hustle up hills and through bends. On such a journey of 110 kilometres, the fuel readout returned a figure of 7.8L/100km, but a freeway drive back down into Sydney returned 5.8L/100km, which is very close to Hyundai’s claim. Expect a mix of driving conditions to return a figure somewhere in the middle.

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid's driveability is enhanced by the inclusion of a smoothing drive mode (dubbed Baby Mode by the Hyundai marketing team) which smooths throttle response on take-off and while driving to remove jerks when accelerating. More than a gimmick, the system works - though you don’t need a bub on board to appreciate the effect it has on the overall driving experience.

Hybrid versions of the Hyundai Tucson also benefit from e-Motion Drive, an electric torque vectoring system that eliminates inner wheel slip to improve cornering. In practice, it contributes to an assured road feel, particularly on gravel.

How safe is the Hyundai Tucson?

All current Hyundai Tucson models carry a five-star ANCAP rating and are equipped with a suite of safety technologies. Structural integrity has been improved, including the addition of reinforced front side members, while second-row seatbelt pretensioners have been included to boost passenger safety.

Hyundai Bluelink connected car technology is offered with a complimentary five-year subscription. This enables functions including automatic collision notification, which alerts authorities in the event of an airbag deployment, and SOS emergency call, where the driver can connect with a local call centre.

Hyundai's SmartSense safety technologies have been amped up for the 2025 Tucson with the inclusion of Highway Driving Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping to centre the car while driving. Junction turning and direct-oncoming systems monitor traffic and sound an audible alert if they sense danger - extending to rendering braking assistance where needed. In practice, the tech bings at practically every junction, but without an accompanying on-screen message, you're not sure what you should be mitigating for.

The constant alarms have raised the ire of drivers so much that Hyundai has taken action to address one of its major criticisms - audible warnings from its speed limit assist system. A long press on the mute button will turn them off, which is something many drivers will choose to do. Annoying alarms aside, we’ve found the SmartSense advanced driver assistance systems among the most accomplished and well-tuned in the market. Let’s hope future iterations will tone down the audible interruptions.

How does the Hyundai Tucson compare?

The medium SUV category has never been more competitive, with over 50 individual makes and models in this segment alone. Luckily for Hyundai, the 2025 Tucson stacks up well against its rivals. The Hyundai Tucson Premium Hybrid is well-specified and meets the needs of modern families looking for a stylish mid-size SUV that’s safe and packed with convenience and technology features.

In this segment, the hybrid Toyota RAV4 can be the default choice for medium SUV buyers, and the price of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid may have you considering each inclusion line by line to see how they compare. If it’s close, we recommend side-by-side test drives to see how they each fit your driving style and family’s requirements.

Should I buy a Hyundai Tucson?

The Hyundai Tucson refresh sees this medium SUV maintain a modern feel with useful technology inclusions. If you will be spending a lot of time driving, then it is a comfortable place to be. Yes, the Premium is the most expensive Tucson model, and if you add the N-Line pack it pushes the price higher, but it is a good-looking medium SUV that would be easy to live with for couples and families.

The Hyundai Tucson bundles up decent performance and handling for drivers who prefer their SUV on the sportier-but-not-sporty side. And now that you can switch off at least some of the noisier driver assistance intrusions, it is easier to recommend.