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CHATHAM, Mass – Hyundai continues to solidify its position as a value leader when it comes to any size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) with the introduction of the redesigned 2025 Tucson, its robust range of compact offerings.
The Korean giant offers three Tucson propulsion variants — internal-combustion engine (ICE), hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) – each in several trim levels. We recently spent a week in the premium-equipped 2025 Hyundai Tucson Limited AWD, the ICE range topper.
There are no options available for this sub $40,000 SUV which offers features and equipment not available on competitors with higher prices.
All-wheel drive powertrain
Carried over from the 2024 Tucson is the aluminum block & head, four-cylinder, 16-vavle (continuously variable timing), 2.5-liter engine, part of the company’s Smartstream Engine Family. The engine, running on regular fuel, produces 187 horsepower and 178 pounds-feet of torque.
Power moves through an eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The technologically advanced shift-by-wire system is engaged with a steering-column mounted twist stalk, which frees up console space otherwise devoted to a shift lever and its mechanical linkage.
The Hyundai HTRAC all-wheel-drive (AWD) system sends the power primarily to the front wheels, adjusting the amount of torque to the rear wheels based upon road conditions and driver input (including the settings selected amongst the four-position Drive Modes: Normal, Sport, My Drive and Snow).
Combining these powertrain components results in a subcompact SUV capable of 0-60 times of 8.8 seconds (according to Car and Driver testing). Power is reasonable and does the job, whether entering a highway or stepping off from a stop sign. I never felt at a loss due to lack of engine performance.
When it comes to efficiency, the Tucson turned in terrific figures 26.5 miles per gallon, on par with the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s rating of 26 mpg overall (24 urban, 30 highway).
Competence, control, comfort mark Tucson platform’s performance
Underneath the redesigned skin of the 2025 Tucson is a well-engineered, straightforward platform providing a comfortable, controlled ride; excellent real-world handling, and reassuring operation in all conditions (I hit two snowstorms/squalls during the week in the Tucson and never felt like I was in trouble).
The all-independent suspension includes MacPherson-type struts with coil springs, gas-charged shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar in the front, while a multi-link arrangement with gas-pressurized shocks and a stabilizer bar takes care of action in the rear.
The power-boosted brake system includes anti-lock (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and electronic stability control with traction control and brake assist. It also features ventilated 12.8×1.2-inch rotors in the front and 12×0.4-inch solid ones in the rear.
The 19-inch alloy wheels wear 235/55R19 all-season tires.
Premium list of ADAS
The list of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) reads more like one from a premium SUV and includes vehicle stability management; forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian, cyclist and junction-turning direction; blind-spot collision warning; rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist; parking-distance warning, front/rear/side; surround-view monitor; blind-spot-view monitor; lane-keeping assist; forward attention warning; lane-following assist; steering-wheel haptic feedback; intelligent speed-limit assist; Highway Driving Assist 1; navigation-based smart cruise control with curve control; safe-exit warning, and advanced rear-occupant alert.
These systems are well integrated and easy for the driver to see/feel/hear, with Hyundai being one of the very few brands to incorporate ADAS warnings in the head up display, further ensuring the drive “sees” a potential issue before it occurs.
Interior filled with updates
According to Hyundai, “The 2025 Tucson’s interior may feature the biggest upgrades of all, thanks to a more open-feeling design and a higher-tech, yet easier-to-use infotainment interface.”
The previous Tucson was already a friendly, convenient place in which to travel, either long or short distances, and the 2025 redesign does show some enhancements, especially in the areas of infotainment and the aforementioned column-mounted shifter.
A new panoramic display with twin 12.3-inch screens ranges from just inside the driver’s door to the center of the dashboard (with a divided, lipped shelf continuing from the right edge of the display to the passenger’s door). The left screen displays the customizable cluster information while the right one, displaying infotainment and vehicle information/operations, is a color touchscreen.
Below the touchscreen are real buttons for accessing specific major touchscreen subjects like home screen, (standard) navigation map, media, four-way flashers and setup with knobs to adjust screen actions (depending upon the task on the screen – if media is indicated, the left knob can adjust volume). Below this row of buttons is a screen divided into two rows of easily understood LCD buttons for the two-zone automatic climate-control system (flanked by knobs to allow each front-seat occupant to adjust the temperature on their side of the SUV).
The infotainment system now offers wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ along with streaming Bluetooth audio, SiriusXM satellite radio and HD Radio. The sound comes through an eight-speaker (one Twiddler on the center of the instrument panel, two tweeters, two speakers in the front doors, two in the rear doors and a woofer in the rear quarter panel) Bose® Premium Audio System with digital eight-channel amplifier.
Other tech features include a 15-Watt quick-charging pad for mobile devices in the center console and USB ports front and rear.
The comfortable seats are leather covered and heated (the fronts also ventilated as well as power adjustable with memory for the driver), as is the adjustable steering wheel.
This is truly a premium subcompact SUV in its Limited trim, providing a very comfortable environment for any type of trip.
Premium features at a value price
As mentioned, Hyundai offers its compact SUV in a wide variety of trims and powertrains. Our week was in the top of the ICE range, an example of how Hyundai stays in front of the value proposition regardless of the vehicle segment it enters.
The Tucson SE carries a $28,605 price as the range’s entry point. Moving to the range-topping Limited AWD moves the pricing needle to $39,975, representing a price/equipment proposition virtually unmatched within the compact-SUV category. The review unit had a single option, $210 for carpeted floor maps, and adding in the $1,395 inland freight & handling charge, brought the grand total to $41,400.
Hyundai entered the U.S. market in the mid-1980s by offering cheap cars, cheap in every way. Today it is known for value; for high-quality, well-designed, well-engineered products. The 2025 Hyundai Tucson Limited AWD would be a great choice for anyone in need of a compact SUV.
Next week TBR Drives the revised 2025 Nissan Murano mid-size SUV
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