The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, the debut of the small sport utility’s fourth era, is the South Korean producer’s most interesting effort to compete in opposition to the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. It’s a worthy challenger.
Unheralded and thirteenth in small SUV gross sales in 2021, this yr’s Tucson has been redesigned with a sculptor’s daring concepts. It has squared wheel arches, sharp bodywork creases, a radical headlight design and a snarky-looking entrance grille.
Extra importantly, the Tucson for the primary time is accessible in three powertrains, a gasoline engine, an ordinary hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. The latter has a most 28-mile electric-only vary; the usual hybrid is rated at 37 miles per gallon in metropolis driving, 36 mpg on the freeway.
Seven trims ranges are provided throughout the three engine varieties. 4 trim ranges — SE, SEL, N Line and Restricted — function the standard gasoline engine. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) are provided in three trims: Blue Hybrid, SEL Comfort Hybrid and Restricted Hybrid.
Whereas the usual gasoline engine is obtainable with front- or all-wheel drive and makes use of an eight-speed computerized, the hybrids come commonplace with all-wheel drive and a six-speed computerized transmission.
Apart from its signature 10-year/100-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-miles bump-to-bumper guarantee, Hyundai additionally shines with its substantial commonplace options record. The reviewed hybrid Restricted Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine with 227 complete horsepower. It's geared up equally to the SEL gasoline choice.
Retaining in thoughts the Tucson totally geared up prices about $38,000 ($7,000 lower than the common worth of a brand new automotive in america), the Hyundai hybrid is among the many nation’s best-valued autos.
Take into account a number of the options: proximity keyless entry with push-button begin, power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated entrance seats, rear passenger vents, heated facet mirrors with built-in flip indicators and tinted rear home windows. There are two USB retailers for rear passengers, a blind-spot monitor, blind-spot intervention and adaptive cruise management.
A number of different objects aren’t all provided on far-more costly SUVs and sedans. A wi-fi gadget charging pad, ambient inside lighting, a Bose premium audio system, panoramic sunroof, a ten.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation and a surround-view digital camera system are all included.
The Tucson is categorized as a small SUV, nevertheless it has 38.7 cubic toes behind the rear seats. With the rear seats folded, the cargo space expands to 74.8 cubic toes. The low liftover and flat ground add to the comfort. Massive, easy-to-enter and exit doorways add to the SUV’s spacious really feel.
Hybrid SUVs, together with the Tucson, typically get criticized for sluggish acceleration. It’s rated at 7.7 seconds for advancing from 0-to-60 miles per hour. However the new-look Hyundai drives with a strong really feel, astute steering and assured maneuvering by means of visitors. Its standard-acceleration-test standing appears too conservative.
The Tucson is faster than the section’s best-selling RAV4 and CR-V. The Hyundai’s athletic persona additional provides to the enjoyable, a shock contemplating its commonplace six-speed transmission.
Expertise options are one other Hyundai energy. Navigation menus are simple, display high quality is top-notch and utilizing Apple CarPlay or Bluetooth options are intuitive. Voice activation for instructions and altering audio features is a eager comfort.
One inconvenience is more and more changing into an annoying business commonplace. Whereas security is paramount, the lane-keeping and parking sensors are overly delicate. It’s a positive line between worthy security alerts and alarming warning beeps that might show detrimental.
About two dozen small 2022 SUVs are presently out there within the U.S. With its new era and robust attributes — general driving, gasoline economic system and guarantee — the Hyundai Tucson is among the many smartest decisions. The Hybrid choices significantly impress.
James Raia, a syndicated columnist in Sacramento, publishes a free weekly automotive podcast and digital e-newsletter. Signal-ups can be found on his web site, theweeklydriver.com. He will be reached by way of e-mail: james@jamesraia.com.