Hyundai's Tucson has been enhanced for 2025 with freshened styling and advanced technology

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Not that it needed it, but Hyundai’s top-selling Tucson AWD crossover has been freshened for 2025 with a stylish design update, a new infotainment system and a tough to beat line that includes not only a standard gas version, but  hybrid and plug-in hybrid models to suit any car buyers needs. 
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When friends or relatives ask me for a recommendation for a reasonably-priced crossover that has all the safety bells and whistles offered today, I point them to the Tucson. Added to that, the carmaker offers an unbeatable warranty, not only on the Tucson, but all their vehicles. 

Tucson is offered in SE, SEL, XRT, N Line and Limited, the latter that we were privileged to test, plus the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. 

As for as exterior design is concerned, you can’t mistake a Tucson for any other crossover as it’s front end has six  staggered running lights, three on each side of the grille that blend in with the headlights. When you see them coming toward you, especially at night, you know immediately it’s a Hyundai Tucson. The back end also has a unique taillight treatment that has four slanted lights joined and topped by a full-width light strip. It’s a sight to behold when encountering a Tucson at night.   

Interior wise, the dash now sports an almost full-width combination type infotainment display that appears to join a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. A glass cockpit if you will, similar in design to that in a modern business jet. The infotainment display offers wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, a rearview, frontal view and revolving view cameras, Bose audio and much more. The digital gauge cluster itself not only serves the speedometer/tachometer, but has a driver information display within it for features, functions, mode selections and Hyundai’s helpful right and left camera views that display when activating the left and right turn signals. 

HVAC controls consist of a flat panel with touch sensitive switches that are easy to use, but the various selections need more vivid back-lighting as they’re tough to see in bright sunlight. 

The 8-speed automatic transmission gear selector too is unique in that resembles a column shifter. But it’s far from that old technology. Tucson’s selector is a shift-by-wire lever that uses a twist handle tip. For Drive it’s a twist upward while Reverse requires a flip down. And to engage Park gear, there’s a push button on the end. To supplement it are paddle shifters on the heated steering wheel. 

This placement of the gear selector frees up space on the console which appears to be free-floating with space underneath it to stow a purse or other small items. Atop the console is a wireless phone charging pad along with a toggle switch for mode selections of  Normal, Sport, My Drive and Snow modes, plus a lock switch to assist in getting unstuck from deep snow or mud.  

Leather front seats are heated/ventilated and exceptionally padded with extended under thigh support. The rear seats, after a low 19-inch step-in, and are nicely padded with good leg room for two adults. Ingress/egress is easy thanks to wide opening rear doors. 

Back in the cargo area, and with the rear seatbacks upright, there’s 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space that measures 38 inches deep, 43 wide and 31.5 high. Pull two handles and the rear seatbacks flip down to increase cargo space to 80.3 cubic feet for 70 inches of loading depth. Beneath the cargo floor is a space saver tire with some space around the front of it to stow small items like gloves, cleaning supplies and more. 

Ride wise on Michelin 19-inch All-Season tires that are 9 inches wide for a good grip, is smooth and quiet. Tucson’s  suspension nicely soaks up bumps, tar strips and unimproved railroad crossings. It handles admirably in tight turns and cloverleafs as it stays planted. It also parks easily with a tight turn radius of 38.6 feet. And with 8.3 inches of ground clearance, it can handle modest snow depths. 

Power wise, the little 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with auto start/stop engine technology, generates 187-hp and 178 lb/ft of torque for EPA mileage estimates of 24 city, 30-highway mpg. Pulling 3,657 pounds of curb weight, the little four is peppy but not a head-slammer under full throttle acceleration runs. In Sport mode it’s livelier and more spirited. 

As the top-tier in the line, the Limited comes nicely equipped with forward collision alert, lane keeping/following assist, forward attention warning, blind spot collision warning, rear cross traffic collision avoidance assist, forward/reverse/side parking distance warning, rear parking distance avoidance assist, safe exit warning and a few more. Included too is hands-free power liftgate w/auto open, rain sensing wipers, smart cruise control, remote parking assist, sunroof, heads-up display and a bunch more. The only extra cost option was $210 for carpeted floor mats. 
For all this, Tucson Limited’s base price was $39,975, but after adding the floor mats and delivery ($1,395) they took the bottom line to a reasonable $41,400. Try to match that with comparable competition and you’ll find for the content, the Tucson Limited is a buy. And while your comparing, see if the competition offers a 5 year/60K new vehicle warranty, 10/100K powertrain, 7/Unlimited anti-perforation, 3/36K complimentary maintenance and 5/Unlimited roadside assistance. A powerful influence in a new car purchase.

So you see, Hyundai’s Tucson in any form, is a compelling buy.
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