Article Highlights:

• 2022 Hyundai Tucson ($29,050- $37,350)
• “2021 Top Safety Pick Plus” Award – IIHS
• Pro: The 2022 Tucson has a bold new look inside and out. It’s also spacious, comfortable, and quick.
• Con: The Tucson’s interior could use some knobs and buttons compared to the smooth haptic icons that you have to “feel.”

The Hyundai Tucson made its debut in 2005 and has been the brand’s best-selling model over the past decade. After driving this 2022 model for a week, I can definitely see why. Although, the new model is a Grand Canyon-sized departure from the first Tucson as it was completely redesigned and given a new look inside and out.

Now, the Hyundai Tucson is arguably the most stylish in the compact crossover category, but it’s not just about looks. Buyers can opt for the 2022 Tucson Hybrid model, which has a silky smooth powertrain that blends power and efficiency. The Tucson Hybrid is poised to take on the likes of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid, and it should have no problem doing so considering what a great value it is.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson’s exterior is an education in geometry

Take a look around the 2022 Tucson and the first thing you’ll notice are all of the different angles cut into the front, sides, and rear of the car. It’s a weird look, and to be honest, it reminds me of studying geometry in high school. There’s rhombus on the side of the car and I think there are even a couple of parallelograms. It’s no wonder, then, that Hyundai calls the design “Parametric Dynamics,” which supposedly gives the Tucson a “distinct identity in a crowded SUV segment,” according to the automaker.

Fair enough. It’s a good overall look that should hold up well over time. The front end looks pretty sleek with its wide front grille and narrow headlights. However, the rear end is interesting as the taillights stretch across the trunk and end in two fang-like points. This might be Hyundai’s version of being “aggressive without being overdone,” which I think works well for their best-selling model.

The Hyundai Tucson’s interior shows that the future is now

The first time that I sat in the 2022 Tucson, I couldn’t get over how futuristic it looks. The main highlight for me is the 10.25-inch screen that sits in front of the driver. It’s a fully digital display that changes screens with really cool graphics when toggling between the different drive modes. Additionally, the center console area looks very sleek, however, I found that the piano black HVAC and radio control panels like to pick up fingerprints.

The infotainment touchscreen also measures in at 10.25 inches and it’s responsive to every touch, but I wish it had a volume and tune as opposed to haptic feedback “icons” for buttons. Every seat in the cabin is comfortable, even the rear middle seat, and I found that the front seats are supportive when taking sharp corners at speed.

Also, there’s plenty of room for all of your stuff as the Tucson’s cargo area measures in at 38.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up and a cavernous 74.5 cubic feet when they’re folded. That’s a larger space than you’ll find in both the Honda CR-V Hybrid and the RAV4 Hybrid.

The 2022 Tucson is filled with tech features

Even in its base Hybrid Blue form, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid comes with a bevy of standard features. The most notable items include 17-inch wheels, auto climate control, rear A/C vents, adaptive cruise control, and a push-button start ignition.

Moving up to the SEL Convenience trim will give you a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, a panoramic roof, a wireless cell phone charger, and a power liftgate. But if you want everything on your Tucson Hybrid, then you can opt for the Limited trim like my test car. The top-tier model comes with leather seats and heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, 19-inch wheels, and a Bose premium audio system.

The Limited trim also comes with the 10.25-inch instrument panel that displays the blindspots via the blind view monitors, remote parking assist, the Hyundai Digital key, and a surround-view monitor.

There aren’t really any optional features to add unless you get the base model. In that case, you can add the 10.25-inch digital display, panoramic moonroof, leather seats, and the Bose audio system to that trim level.

The Hyundai Tucson handles very well for a crossover SUV

Don’t let the Hyundai Tucson’s elevated stance and crossover proportions fool you, this little SUV handles really well. I put it through its paces on my usual winding road and came away impressed with how well it gripped through the sharp corners. There’s a little body roll, but it doesn’t feel like a boat. Also, the Tucson’s steering is responsive and has pretty good feedback for a hybrid vehicle.

If you want sharper steering, then you can put it into “sport mode,” which tightens things up and makes the accelerator more responsive as well. The Tucson’s exceptional handling may have stemmed from its E-Handling technology, which applies torque to certain wheels when cornering for better handling, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Also, during highway cruising, Tucson proved to be very comfortable and quiet. According to my decibel meter, the Tucson’s cabin sits a serene 72 decibels at cruising speeds, although I did detect some road noise. That’s about as good as most luxury cars, which says a lot considering it’s technically not one.

Although it’s a hybrid, the Tucson has plenty of power

Under the hood of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, you’ll find a turbocharged 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque by itself. However, it’s paired to a 44.2-kW electric motor that is powered by a 1.49-kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, and together, the combination puts out 226 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

And while it’s not as impressive as a RAV4 Prime, the Hyundai Tucson can get going pretty quickly. The switch from the electric motor to the gas engine is nearly undetectable, save for a faint growl from the engine bay. Also, that the hybrid duo is connected to a six-speed automatic transmission that can be shifted semi-manually via paddles behind the steering wheel.

Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel drive system is also standard across all trim levels. As for fuel economy, the EPA estimates that the Tucson Hybrid can achieve up to 37 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. During my week of testing, I averaged 35 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

Side note: One interesting feature of the 2022 Tucson is the beeping noise it makes when you put it in “reverse.” It sounds like a delivery truck, although not as loud. If you need to make a quiet getaway in reverse, then the Tucson is not a good car for that.

You won’t need to worry about the Hyundai Tucson being safe enough

Hyundai has not only stepped up its game in recent years when it came to designing its cars, but it has also gone above and beyond in terms of safety. The 2022 Tucson is no exception, as its equipped with a host of driver-assist features like forward collision avoidance, parking collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-attention warning.

There are also safety measures in the interior of the car including a safe exit warning and an available ultrasonic rear occupant alert. And if you need to stay safe while parking in tight spaces, then the remote smart park assist feature can help. This feature allows the driver to remotely move the car forward and back in order to circumvent having to contort yourself while getting out of the car in a small space.

All of these safety features, including the accompanying airbags and standard LED headlights earned the 2022 Hyundai Tucson a highly-coveted “Top Safety Pick +” award from the IIHS.

Is the Hyundai Tucson expensive to maintain?

If you’re in it for the long haul, then you’ll be happy to know that the 2022 Hyundai Tucson doesn’t cost much to maintain. CarEdge estimates that it will cost an average of $2,094 for the first five years of ownership, but the better part of the deal is that Hyundai covers the first three years of Tucson’s maintenance – or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.

In addition to near-worry-free maintenance, you’ll also enjoy the peace of mind that the Tucson is covered by the brand’s 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The hybrid system get its own 10-year/100,000-mile warranty as well, and you’ll even get five years of complimentary roadside assistance.

The competition should be worried about the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

If you’re looking for a hybrid crossover that can fit up to five people and all of their stuff comfortably, then the 2022 Hyundai Tucson needs to be on your shortlist. Its unique styling, long roster of features and powerfully efficient powertrain make it a force to be reckoned with in a category filled with legendary stalwarts like the CR-V and RAV4. After over a decade of tinkering and toying with Tucson’s design and layout, Hyundai finally got it right, and it even dared to be bold this time around.

MotorBiscuit gives the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid an expert rating of 8.2 out of 10

The editors at MotorBiscuit gave the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid an overall rating of 8.2 out of 10. The Tucson Hybrid presents an excellent value proposition for anyone that’s in the market for a hybrid crossover SUV. It’s fuel-efficient, spacious, comfortable, and fun to drive.