2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited AWD - Dynamic Evolution

For its fourth generation, the Hyundai Tucson 2022 arrives with a striking design, a cabin full of advanced technologies and much more fuel-efficient engines. It is clearly years away from its predecessor.

This Tucson therefore transforms our expectations in terms of a compact SUV. This is an angular and ultra futuristic design that displays a pleasant touch of "cyberpunk" in the pencil strokes. The front part disturbs the eye by the almost total absence of optical units. LED lighting, integrated into the grille of the vehicle, provides much of the lighting. Being someone who has a weakness for science fiction and the modern, I admit I love this stylistic approach.

In the back of the car, to ensure the purity of this design approach, the Hyundai logo has been moved upwards and integrated into the rear window, while the wiper is camouflaged under the rear spoiler.

The Interior

Like the exterior, the interior of the new 2022 Tucson is revolutionizing with its design that is both contemporary and sleek, not to mention now fully digital instrumentation.

Hyundai has radically transformed the dashboard in the 2022 model. Everything is now almost entirely tactile, for better or for worse. While the controls work well, nothing can replace the ergonomics of a good ol 'physical button, especially for the air conditioning and audio controls.

As for the gearbox, the Tucson tries to reinvent the wheel with its amalgamation of huge buttons in the center console, but their positioning is without logic, making their use sometimes complicated. Be careful not to put yourself in Reverse, wanting to put the gearbox in Park position. and, ultimately, dangerous.

Lots of Technology

Hyundai is known for putting lots of technology in its vehicles. This Tucson hybrid, which sells for about $37,350, offers a long list of active and passive safety features. The list of safety equipment includes all the features of the Hyundai SmartSense which comes standard in all Tucson models and which includes: Frontal Collision Avoidance Assistance (FCA) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Lane Keeping, Long Range Headlight Assist, Driver Attention De-Attention Alert, Rear Occupant Alert and Vehicle Departure Alert System in Front.

In addition to all these features, there is a small button on the right side of the steering wheel, which activates the Highway Driving Assist function. It allows the Tucson to stay centered in its lane during normal driving and works with adaptive cruise control. When cruise control is activated, the Tucson therefore has a semi-autonomous driving function.

In addition, Hyundai has a fun little gadget that allows you to park the vehicle remotely with the help of the remote control. When the engine is running, just hold down the forward button on the key fob and the Tucson will automatically steer to the parking spot. By pressing the rear button, it reverses. It can also be handy in a mall if someone is pulling up too close to you.

You also have Remote Start, which allows the Tucson to heat or cool remotely using the Bluelink app on a cellular device, including activation of the available seat heating or ventilation, an exclusive feature in the segment.

Comfortable and Spacious

The new 2022 Tucson has grown. Its body is longer, wider, taller and its 2755 mm wheelbase is 85 mm longer than the previous model. You will understand that this adds a lot more space for passengers and cargo space. The rear seats will accommodate three people without problem. Cargo capacity is also on the rise. There are 1,095 liters of space with the seats up and 2,119 liters with the seats down, which simply fold down and pull a lever at the rear. Only the Honda CR-V offers so much space in this segment.

You've got Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a decent eight-speaker, 10.25-inch screen Bose sound system. Gear changes are now done via a push button which replaces the previous lever. Ambient interior lighting is adjustable in 64 colors and 10 intensity levels. You are even entitled to an indirect diffusion ventilation system, unique in the automotive industry that does not send air directly into the face.

Seeing the 19-inch tires on our test model, we had some concerns about ride comfort which turned out to be unwarranted. In terms of handling and handling, the suspension does a good job of keeping body roll under control without making things harsh on the highway, despite the 19-inch rims and 235/55 tires.

The seats in the front and in the rear offer good comfort and the cabin is very well isolated from outside noise. And since the space for the occupants is generous, it adds to the comfort index.

The Engine and Electrified Mechanis of 2022 Tucson Hybrid

With its new Tucson, Hyundai is betting more than ever on electrified mechanics. There are also two of the three available engines.

The 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter engines are therefore disappearing to make way for the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, which becomes the base engine. Its horsepower and torque climb somewhat compared to the 2.4, from 181 to 187 horsepower, and from 175 to 178 lb-ft, respectively. This unit is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The specimen under test is equipped with a hybrid powertrain made up of a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric mini-engine with a power of 44.2 kilowatts (59 horsepower). Total combined power is 227 horsepower, and torque is 258 lb-ft. Everything is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Finally, a plug-in hybrid version will be offered later this year, offering a combined power of 261 horsepower. The electric range of this variant is estimated at 51 kilometers.

Towing capacities, according to Hyundai, are priced at 1,587 kilograms (3,500 pounds) for the 2.5-liter engine, and 907 kilograms (2,000 pounds) for the hybrid. Nothing has yet been confirmed in this regard for the plug-in hybrid.

The Tucson hybrid and plug-in hybrid incorporate a technology that the manufacturer calls e-Handling to improve the vehicle's handling in bends. By using the electric motor, the on-board computer can better distribute the torque available to each wheel to simulate a torque vector.

The Driving Experience of 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

This Tucson has a much more mature road handling than its predecessor, even its main rivals. This is a small SUV that handles imperfections very well thanks to a solid structure, while providing a pleasant ride and free from unwanted vehicle noise.

However, its suspension is still a little firm for the damaged roads, but it gives this SUV a certain dynamism, and you really feel the operation of the e-Handling system when you enter this Tucson in a curve at high speed. I was also surprised by the power livery of the hybrid powertrain. The harmony between the heat engine and the electric motor is smooth, and, above all, everything is less noisy than in a hybrid RAV4.

Special mention goes to the gearbox which delivers the goods flawlessly. The other element appreciated is the ability of the electric motor to take over during the turbocharger delay, resulting in smoother acceleration.

Regarding the fuel Consupmtion, Hyundai says the 2022 Tucson Limited Hybrid AWD will get 37 city and 36 highway. However, my actual average was around 35-36 in the city, which is still not bad for an SUV of this size. In fact, the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid gets a similar mileage.

I spoke with Hyundai about the 2022 Hybrid Tucson's MPG and the company's representative told me that the EPA numbers are standardized certified government procedures. There are quite a few independent variables that go to the actual mileage on a daily basis and actual mileage experience may vary based on these variables. However, the EPA ratings are standardized to be able to compare vehicles.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson fulfills its vocation as a compact SUV extremely well, if not for a few ergonomic irritants. Its number one strength remains its excellent quality / price ratio, but the higher price of the hybrid compared to its main competitor at Toyota could repel some buyers.

In my driving experience the 2022 Tucson Hybrid proved to be lively. It has a very elegant interior, a host of advanced technologies and a powertrain that will suit a wide range of customers. Better, its size is compact enough for those who don't like big SUVs and spacious enough for the whole family who will appreciate its comfort.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin and Youtube.

Reference: Auto123 and RPMWeb.