As Hyundai’s best-selling model, and its resident competitor for the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Mazda CX-5, it’s no surprise that the fourth-gen model takes style, technology, and personal performance to an all-new level. As an all-new model for the 2022 model year, the Tucson brings an attractive, bold look, an impressive and comfortable interior, and a lot of standard technology to the table. The launch model includes a range of fuel-efficient powertrains, including the 187-horsepower inline-four from the Hyundai Sonata or a new 226-horsepower hybrid system that pairs a turbocharged 1.6-liter with an electric motor. While the exterior looks bold and commanding, the interior is more relaxing and well-rounded. When you bring it all together, the new Tucson is certainly heading to the top of the segment, and we’re more than happy to confirm that after spending plenty of time behind the wheel.

What’s New for the 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson SUV entered is fourth generation for the 2022 model year, so its design inside and out is all new. It’s underpinned by a new global platform with U.S.-market models riding atop a long-wheelbase version of the platform. The Tucson has grown in all directions compared to the 2021 model, and that holds true when it comes to passenger space and cargo room. Three engine options are available for the NX4 Tucson in 2022, and none of them have been carried over from the 2021 model year. The base model gets its power from a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four that’s also found in the Sonata. It is the only non-hybrid model available. The other two options include a traditional hybrid and a plug-in hybrid model that Hyundai says will offer 28 miles of range on a single charge.

Pros and Cons

2022 Hyundai Tucson Trims

The Hyundai Tucson is available in five different trim levels for the 2022 model year:

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Trims

2022 Hyundai Tucson Trims

Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Exterior

If you look back over the course of the Tucson’s life, it’s pretty clear that Hyundai played things fairly safe without going overboard with overzealous design elements. The Tucson has evolved consistently from generation to generation, however, the shift to the new design for 2022 definitely dialed things up a notch and a fresh helping of eye-catching styling and a big, bold grille.

Clearly, Hyundai’s most controversial design to date, the 2022 Tucson blends together bold and flamboyant designs in a way that’s appealing to almost anyone. The design will certainly age fast, but Tucson only has a 5-6 year lifespan between generations anyway, so by the time this design does start to show its age, Hyundai will be updating it anyway. The black grille and matching emblem definitely stand out in the front, and we’re particularly fond of the new corning vents with integrated LEDs. The front air dam is a bit of an eyesore, though, with the unbalanced grille openings. It can really trigger your OCD if you’re not careful. The rear end kind of has some Mach E DNA. It’s clear that Hyundai didn’t copy the design, since both were being designed at the same time, but it just feels a bit Ford-ish.

Standard exterior features across the lineup include the new bi-LED headlights, LED turn signals, and LED running lights. Entry-level and mid-spec models come with 17-inch alloy wheels while the high-level trims come with 19-inch wheels. If Hyundai’s entire mission was to build a Tucson that stands out in the crowd, then we can verify that it certainly accomplished that mission, and it did it well.

Dimensions

Hyundai Tucson Exterior Dimensions

Exterior Colors

2022 Hyundai Tucson Exterior Colors

Tucson Hybrid Performance

Engine and Transmission

While the hybrid Tucson is available with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter, the Hybrid model – like the one we drove – is only available with a 1.6-liter inline-four. The non-plug-in model delivers a combined power output of 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. In this model, the engine is good for 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque while the electric motor adds an extra 59 ponies and 195 pound-feet. The plug-in model features the same engine, but the electric motor is good for 90 horsepower and 224 pound-feet or a total system output of 261 horsepower and up to 28 miles of all-electric range on a single charge. Compared to the competition, even the basic hybrid model is well-prepared in terms of power and even features a slightly higher towing capacity at 2,000 pounds vs. 1,500 pounds available with the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V hybrids.

2022 Hyundai Tucson Powertrain Specifications

Handling and Driving Impressions

Right of the top, the entire Topspeed team found the Hyundai Tucson hybrid to be downright impressive. After spending time with the non-hybrid model a while back, we definitely favor the Hybrid. The electric motor allows for Torque delivery lower in the rev range, which ultimately makes that little 1.6-liter engine feel more like a V-6 than you’ll honestly expect. Its on-road manners are top-notch. It feels peppy and responsive when you need it to be and while we didn’t venture too far off the civilized road, we can say that it’s certainly prepared for slippery and less-traveled paths just as long as you don’t take things too far.

Overall, the Tucson is quite impressive. It’s not recommended for serious off-roading, but it will handle rough and even slippery roads without argument. It can handle and circumvent bumps on the road with confidence even with larger wheels, and the quiet ride quality is reminiscent of what you’d experience in the Mazda CX-5, which is really saying a lot as it’s one of the best this side of $60,000. Where the Tucson really sets itself apart from cars like the Mazda CX-5, however, is the overall quality and feel of the cabin. The company has stepped away from things like sporty feel and handling to focus more on things like comfort. To be honest, the new Tucson is much better for it, too.

The Tucson does include a number of driving modes (Normal, Sport, and Snow) however, don’t expect to feel much in terms of behavior changes when you switch to sport. You can feel a slight change in steering feel, but steering is still lightly weighted and not so generous when it comes to feedback. The eight-speed automatic is a big plus over having something like a CVT (Honda, we’re looking at you) and despite having eight cogs, it does a very good job of keeping itself inconspicuous most of the time. I must note that Hyundai has done an impressive job at the computer turning and gear ratio configuring for this transmission. It’s geared perfect for in-town driving and won’t hunt for higher ratios at random because your speed increases by a mph or two. Likewise, at speed, it also refrains from bogging down too much, and downshifts for overtakes aren’t effortless or unnoticeable, but they aren’t bad, either.

Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Gas Mileage

The Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid is rated by the EPA at 80 MPGe when you combined electric range and the gasoline engine. If you rely solely on the gasoline engine, you’ll garner a combined fuel economy of 35 mpg. The Hybrid Blue is rated at 38 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, and 38 mpg combined, while the base hybrid is rated at 37 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg combined. As for the non-hybrid models, you’re looking at 24/29/26 for AWD models or 26/33/29 for those equipped with FWD.

As for fuel capacity, ICE models come with a 14.3-gallon tank, which nets you around 415 miles on FWD models and 372 miles on AWD models. If you go for the HEV, you’ll have a 13.7-gallon tank and a range of about 520 miles. The plug-in model has a tiny 11.1-gallon tank, but the expected range on a tank largely varies depending on how you use the electric powertrain.

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Fuel Economy

Hyundai Tucson Interior

We were pleased that the Tucson’s interior is far more impressive than expected, and it does live up to Hyundai’s claim that it offers sensuous, multi-layered forms and a feeling of serenity. Highlights inside include the new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system (it’s an eight-inch system on base ICE models, by the way), and the very cool touch-sensitive climate controls that really have added to the futuristic ambiance. And this is also where things get a little strange as Hyundai isn’t sticking to the trends inside the Tucson any more than it is on the outside.

See, most automakers are transitioning to more of a minimalist approach with as few buttons as possible and a simple, clean-cut design. Hyundai, on the other hand, has a number of blocky elements that stand out among each other while at the same time the wraparound dash provides a sense of extra space. This doesn’t mean this thing is old-school by any means, though. As an example, there’s no traditional shifter, but instead, buttons for Drive, Neutral, Reverse, and Park. There is a manual override for some form of self-shifting, but you have to activate it via the steering wheel paddles and it’s not exactly the best paddle shifter setup out there.

Seating and Interior Space

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is a five-seat model, and here in the U.S., we’re limited to the longer wheelbase model, which means more interior for passengers. Well, rear passengers that is, as they have a decent rating of 41.3-inches of legroom while front passengers only benefit from an extra tenth of an inch. If you’re considering the plug-in hybrid model, you’ll lose about an inch of rear space, but that’s to be expected and the Tucson, in general, still holds its own against its competitors. For rear usability, you can certainly fit two tall adults back there, but the center seat is best reserved for pets or children – you really wouldn’t want to try fitting three adults back there for too long.

2022 Hyundai Tucson Interior Dimensions

Interior Colors and Materials

Hyundai has gone above and beyond to push the Tucson out of that econo-lounge space it used to reside in, and even the last-gen model was pretty good. The new Hyundai Tucson is even better, though. Base models still come with the typical cloth upholstery (stain-resistant) and hard surfaces, while the mid-and upper trim levels can be optioned with or come standard with leather seats, leather steering wheel, and other soft appointments throughout the cabin. There are only two color choices, however, and N Line models come standard with black leather and fabric seats with red accents throughout the cabin.

Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Trunk and Cargo Space

With the U.S. model featuring a longer wheelbase, you’ll also get to enjoy some extra cargo space, but that cargo space differs depending on which model you’re considering. ICE-only models come with 41.2 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats in place while hybrid models come with 41.3 cubic-feet of cargo room, and the PHEV comes with 31.9 cubic-feet. Maximum cargo room comes in at 80.3 cubic-feet for the ICE models, 80.0 cubic-feet for the hybrid, and 71.8 cubic-feet for the plug-in hybrid.

As for interior space, you get fixed armrest storage and tray, front dual cup holders, a storage tray below the center console, and a rear coat hanger. Rear passengers also have dual cupholders in the fold-down center armrest and each door has a fairly decent storage pocket for smaller items.

2022 Hyundai Tucson Cargo Room

Hyundai Tucson Infotainment and features

Features

Base ICE models include very basic amenities like a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, manual HVAC controls, remote release rear seats, cruise control, and even a 4.2-inch semi-digital instrument cluster. Keyless entry and a backup camera are standard equipment, but that’s to be expected. Once you move up the trim levels, you’ll get much better appointments, including an eight-way power driver’s seat, dual USB ports for rear passengers, dual-zone climate control, push-button start. Range-topping models get the same features, although, that’s where you also get heated and ventilated front seats, wireless charging, remote park assist, and the cool 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

Infotainment

Entry-level models of the Tucson Hybrid come with an eight-inch touchscreen display that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Bluetooth, HD Radio, dual front USB ports, and a six-speed sound system. SEL, Blue, and N Line models have the same eight-inch display but also come with SiriusXM, VR, and Bluelink. Limited models come with the col 10.25-inch touchscreen display with navigation and traffic updates. N-Line and Limited models also come standard with an impressive Bose, eight-speaker premium sound system.

What we can tell you is that unless you need something specific related to the upper trim levels, paying more for the 10.25-inch display might not be that beneficial. Both displays are very clear as is the dash display, and they are both bright enough that sun glare doesn’t seem to cause much of a problem. The entire Topspeed team was very impressed at how responsive the Hyundai’s latest infotainment system is and how intuitive it is to use. The only real complaint might be the lack of a volume knob, but it doesn’t seem fair to lodge a complaint about something so petty when everything else is as close to perfect as you can expect at this price point.

Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Problems and Reliability

The 2022 Tucson gave birth to an all-new generation, so there is nothing to report in terms of problems or reliability – it’s just way too new for that. If you look at the last-gen model, you’ll find that it consistently scored over 80 points in JD Power’s Ownership Survey, with quality and reliability coming out very high at a total of 88 out of 100 points when it was reviewed in 2021. Considering that this model simply builds on what the third-gen started, you can expect those impressions to only get better as the year goes on.

In terms of warranty coverage, Hyundai’s is one of the most impressive out there. Every Hyundai model, Tucson included, comes with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a five-year, 60,000-mile limited warranty for everything else.

Warranty

2022 Hyundai Tucson Warranty

Hyundai Tucson Safety

Neither the NHTSA nor IIHS has had a chance to put the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid through their intensive safety tests. The last-gen, 2022 model was awarded a Top Safety Pick award in 2021, and you can safely bet that the fourth-gen 2022 Tucson will receive the same award. There’s a good chance the new model will be just as safe, if not safer, and you really can’t go wrong with the Tucson when it comes to safety above all else.

Key Safety Features

Standard safety features in the 2022 Hyundai Tucson include six airbags, traction and stability control, rearview camera, LED headlights, and high-beam assist. Base models receive a decent list of driver assistance features, including driver attention warning, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane following assist, and lane-keep assist. Moving up the line brings in smart cruise control with stop and go, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The range-topping Limited model includes front and rear parking distance sensors, projection LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, remote start parking assistance, surround-view camera, and highway driving assist.

Verdict: Is the 2022 Hyundai Tucson a Good Car?

The Hyundai Tucson quite literally focuses on being exactly what a compact crossover is meant to be. The interior is stylish, comfortable, and has plenty of useful space. It’s a great place to spend time, honestly, and the build quality sits higher than you’d expect from a vehicle in its class, and to be honest, the Tucson sort of feels like it’s well into the premium category – something I never really thought I’d say. We were impressively fond of the hybrid model, though, as it provides a fair amount of go-power while the base ICE model felt, well, sluggish in comparison. That model isn’t necessarily bad, either, but the Hybrid model just feels like that’s where Tucson is supposed to be in terms of daily usability and in-town performance.

What’s the Price of the 2022 Hyundai Sonata?

The Tucson, while coming with an overwhelming sense of being a premium vehicle, has to remain competitive in the affordable segment, and it’s priced as such. Non-hybrid models are priced between $24,950 and $34,700 with the AWD system adding an extra $1,400 to the buy-in price. If you’re looking at hybrids, pricing starts out at $29,350 and climbs to as high as $37,650 but it’s important to remember that AWD is standard across the hybrid lineup, so there’s no extra buy-in in that regard.

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Models

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is available in three different trim levels: the entry-level Blue trim, SEL Convenience, and Limited. The specs across the hybrid range are quite similar.

The Blue trim level is basically the SEL trim level of the non-hybrid Tucson. It includes 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, 4.2-inch LCD semi-digital instrument cluster, and an eight-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Audi. It does include the power driver’s seat, heated front seats, two rear USV charging ports, and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The SEL Convenience trim level is basically the same thing as the Blue trim level, but it includes the Convenience Package as standard. This brings things like a hands-free power tailgate, 19-inch alloy wheels, and the cool 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless device charging, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, Hyundai digital key, and the auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Moving up to the Hybrid Limited model brings extra luxuries like front and rear park distance control, remote start park assistant, heating steering wheel, heated rear seats, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and the highlight that is the 10.25-inch infotainment display with built-in navigation.

Additional Packages

Hyundai typically doesn’t do the whole optional packages thing, and that holds true for the new Tucson Hybrid as well. That doesn’t mean there aren’t a handful of options to choose from, but nothing too pressing. The list of options is short and sweet, which means, you can’t accidentally spend too much by pressing too many options boxes.

2022 Hyundai Tucson Options

What new Hyundai Tucson Should I Buy?

If you’re on a tight budget, you really can’t go wrong with even the base SE and SEL trim levels of the non-hybrid Tucson. If you have a little more to spend, however, we’d definitely recommend moving up trim as once you get into the SEL and N-Line, the amount of premium feel vs. the price paid really becomes uneven in a good way. We did however find that the hybrid models offer a more pleasant driving experience and definitely has a more streamlined acceleration experience. It essentially rights all the wrongs of the gas-only model, and if you can afford it, it’s certainly the way to go, even if you opt for the entry-level HEV Blue trim level.

All of that said, the HEV Blue trim level is also the best value for your money. It’s basically the same as the SEL trim but it includes the stronger drivetrain and will get you 38 mpg across the board. Beyond this, things start to get a bit expensive, especially if you’re on a budget, so the Blue trim, as far as we’re conserved, is that special sweet spot that calls your name.

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Comparisons

Hyundai Tucson Comparison

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid vs Honda CR-V Hybrid

The Honda CR-V hybrid is nearing the end of its life, with a new-gen CR-V expected to arrive sometime in 2022 as a 2023 model, but that doesn’t mean the current CR-V hybrid should be dismissed. Its combination of a 2.0-liter inline-four and two electric motors give it a decent 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet to play with. That’s not quite as good as what the Tucson Hybrid offers (it’s down by 15 ponies and 26 pound-feet) but it’s still good enough for routine daily driving and road trips in comfort. Equal in size and interior space, there’s nothing that really sets the CR-V apart from the Tucson except for the dated technology and design. Since the Tucson is new for 2022, the CR-V Hybrid is currently a hard sell. Its main claim to fame is the impressive 40 mpg city economy rating, which is much better than you’ll get in the Tucson, but it falls one mpg short on the highway and matches the Tucson on the combined scale. If you do a lot of city driving, you might save a few bucks in fuel over the long term, though. The downside to the CR-V is that you’re stuck with a CVT transmission that tries to mimic gearshifts but just can’t compete with the Tucson’s awesome six-speed auto. It’s also short when it comes to towing, with the max being just 1,500 pounds when properly equipped. The Tucson can’t do much better at 2,000 pounds, but it’s still better, nonetheless.

Read our full review of the Honda CR-V Hybrid!}

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid vs Ford Escape Hybrid

Like most of the competition, the Ford Escape Hybrid isn’t as new as the Tucson, which means if you’re in the market for the absolute best and the latest tech, then the Escape might not work for you. It’s powered by a 2.5-liter inline-four that produces most of the go-juice, but the small battery and electric motor help contribute to fuel economy supremacy. It garners 43 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 40 mpg combined – enough to beat out both the Tucson and the Honda CR-V. And, while it doesn’t have the absolute newest technology, it does come at a discount compared to the competition, with pricing starting at just $28,850 and rising to as much as $36,045 for the range-topping model. The Ford Escape can be had in traditional hybrid and plug-in hybrid form; however, you should be aware that going for the plug-in hybrid means that you’re limited to FWD only. Like the Honda, the Ford Escape is only available with a CVT, so if you want a transmission with real gear ratios, you’ll have to look to the Hyundai Tucson.

Read our full review of the Ford Escape Hybrid!}