2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Review, Pricing, and Specs

Car and Driver

6 hours ago

Overview
Hyundai's compact Tucson crossover is handsome no matter which powertrain you choose, but the hybrid and plug-in-hybrid versions offer some pretty swell advantages. For starters, they're more powerful than their gas-only counterpart (which we review separately), giving them an accelerative advantage, and they use less fuel to boot. The Tucson Hybrid maxes out at 38 mpg across the board, while the Tucson PHEV manages 77 MPGe and can travel 33 miles on battery power alone. The rest of the package is similar to what you get with the standard-issue model, including an attractive warranty, decent cargo space, and a tech-forward interior with plenty of screen real estate.
What's New for 2026?
We don't anticipate any big changes to the Tucson Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid for this year.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is expected to start around $35,000 and go up to $49,000 depending on the trim and options.
Blue
$35,000 (est)
SEL Convenience
$38,000 (est)
N Line
$40,000 (est)
SEL PHEV
$42,000 (est)
Limited
$43,000 (est)
Limited PHEV
$49,000 (est)
Of the available trims, the N Line hits the sweet spot, offering unique 19-inch wheels, sportier front and rear styling treatments, dark chrome exterior accents, a panoramic sunroof, and N Line badging. The cabin is draped in a combination of cloth and leather upholstery and features a Bose stereo, a dual-screen infotainment system, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. It also comes with Highway Driving Assistant, which is Hyundai's adaptive cruise control system with an integrated lane-centering feature. If you're after the PHEV model, it's unfortunately not offered with the N Line appearance items, but the plug-in SEL trim's features should satisfy most buyers.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor make a combined 231 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque in the Hybrid, or 268 horses and the same torque in the PHEV. Power is funneled through a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. In our initial test drive of the Tucson Hybrid, we found that the updates don't do much to change the pleasant driving demeanor. No, neither of these powertrains will pin your back to the seat, but it is the kind of pep you'll be glad to have at every stoplight and highway on-ramp. In everyday driving, the solid steering, comfy ride, and confident handling complement one of the electrified Tucson's best features: its hushed interior when at cruising speed.
0–60-MPH Times
At our test track, our loaded Limited Hybrid test vehicle from the 2022 model year managed a 7.1-second run to 60 mph, 1.7 seconds quicker than the 0–60 time of the nonhybrid Tucson. With the more powerful electric motor onboard, the latest gas-electric Tucson could be slightly quicker. The Tucson Hybrid's rival, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, did the 60-mph march in 7.3 seconds in our testing.
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Hyundai
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
Plug-in-hybrid Tucsons use a 13.8-kWh battery pack that delivers an EPA-estimated 33 miles of electric-only driving. A 7.2-kW onboard charger can fully recharge the battery in about two hours when connected to a Level 2 charging station. Though the Tucson PHEV's total range, how far you can go starting with a full charge and full tank of gas, is good—380 highway miles according to C/D real-world testing—it failed to make our list of the longest-range PHEVs we've tested.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA hasn't released any fuel-economy information for the 2026 Tucson Hybrid yet, but the most efficient 2025 hybrid model earned ratings of 38 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, and 38 mpg combined, while the 2025 Tucson PHEV scored 77 MPGe with the electric motor contributing and 35 mpg combined once the battery's charge is depleted. For more information about the Tucson Hybrid's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Hyundai's design department has proved itself adept at creating modern interiors for affordable offerings, and the Tucson doesn't disappoint. Its uncluttered dashboard design features a pair of 12.3-inch screens—one optional for the instrument panel and one standard for infotainment—and some much-appreciated physical switchgear for HVAC and volume/tuning control. Elsewhere in the interior, the theme is dark texture with bright accents. The cabin makes a comfortable space for four adults, and we were able to fit nine carry-on suitcases behind the second-row seats. With the second-row seats folded, luggage capacity rose to 22 bags.
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Hyundai
Infotainment and Connectivity
Hyundai updated the Tucson's tech last year with a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen as standard and the reappearance of some physical buttons and knobs for quicker, more intuitive access to core functions. Upper trim levels come with a new two-screens-in-one dashboard layout, which replaces the Tucson Hybrid's analog gauge cluster with another 12.3-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range, and the center console includes an available wireless charging pad. Buyers need to step up to the N Line or Limited trim for extras like Bose premium audio. Other high-tech offerings include Hyundai's digital key smartphone app, which provides lock and unlock features as well as an option for remote start.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
A host of driver-assistance features are available on the Tucson Hybrid and PHEV, many of which come standard. For more information about the hybrid Tucson's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
Available adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
In the compact SUV market, only one rival offers as much warranty coverage as the Tucson Hybrid, and that's its corporate cousin, the Kia Sportage Hybrid. The Hyundai still holds an advantage over the Kia in this area, though, thanks to its generous complimentary scheduled maintenance program.
Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2025 Hyundai Tucson
Vehicle Type: front-engine or front-engine and front-motor, front- or all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
SE FWD, $29,750; SE AWD, $31,250; Blue Hybrid, $34,510; SEL Plug-In Hybrid, $40,775
POWERTRAINS
DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter inline-4, 187 hp, 178 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 1.6-liter inline-4, 178 hp, 195 lb-ft + AC motor, 64 hp, 195 lb-ft (combined output: 231 hp, 271 lb-ft; 1.0-kWh [C/D est] lithium-ion battery pack); turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 1.6-liter inline-4, 178 hp, 195 lb-ft + AC motor, 97 hp, 224 lb-ft (combined output: 268 hp, 271 lb-ft; 12.0-kWh [C/D est] lithium-ion battery pack; 7.2-kW on-board charger)
Transmissions: 8-speed or 6-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.5 in
Length: 182.7–183.1 in
Width: 73.4 in
Height: 65.6–66.3 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 53–55/52–53 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 32–39/66–75 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 3500–4300 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 7.2–9.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.0–17.0 sec
Top Speed: 115–122 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 26–38/24–38/30–38 mpg
PHEV Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 77 MPGe
PHEV EV Range: 32 mi
More Features and Specs