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Hyundai Motor Company is on a roll in 2023. Whether it’s subcompact SUVs like the Kona, midsize SUV models like the Palisade, or even electric cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Hyundai has it all. Hyundai’s latest small plug-in hybrid SUV provides incredible value for the money. Here’s why you shouldn’t underestimate the affordable new PHEV.

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid starts at under $38K

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or PHEV for short, is a vehicle that typically uses an engine, a battery, and electric motors to provide more power and better fuel efficiency. A powertrain setup this complex can be expensive. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is one of the most affordable plug-in hybrid options available.

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid starts at $37,300. A fully loaded Limited configuration starts at just $44,560. Not bad considering the small plug-in hybrid SUV’s value proposition. The Tucson PHEV is no longer eligible for federal electric vehicle tax incentives, but it’s still affordable without the tax credit for now.

There’s no telling how expensive the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid could get in the future. Drivers that were able to use the EV tax incentive to their advantage got the PHEV for a steal.

The Hyundai Tucson PHEV comes with tons of standard features

A gray 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid small plug-in hybrid SUV.
The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid | Hyundai

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is loaded with tons of great standard features. It comes standard with all-wheel drive. The PHEV also includes heated front seats, wireless device charging, and proximity key entry with push-button start. It also comes with two 12-volt outlets, smart cruise control with stop and go, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 66.9 kW motor, and a 13.8kWh battery to make 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It achieves 80 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). The PHEV can travel for 33 miles on just electricity when it’s fully charged. MotorTrend praises its driving range and ride quality.

The 2023 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient version of the small SUV. It’s ideal for small families that intend on long-term ownership. The SUV should last for at least 200,000 miles, which would ultimately save drivers thousands on gas. The savings increase if drivers have access to a home charger or nearby charging station.

Plug-in hybrids are the future

A green 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid small plug-in hybrid SUV.
The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid | Hyundai

The electric future can be scary for drivers with range anxiety or fear of battery fires. EVs are still in their infancy in comparison to internal combustion engine vehicles. PHEVs are a happy middle ground between ICE vehicles and EVs.

Before the future is entirely electric, the likelihood of PHEVs becoming popular is high. They are more affordable than EVs, yet they share many of the same perks, including increased torque from motors and an electric-only driving range.

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid bridges the gap between two different worlds. Hyundai Motor Company offers the Tucson for the small SUV vehicle segment and the Ioniq 5 for the small electric SUV vehicle segment. The best Hyundai small SUV for the times may be the model that exists between its two popular SUVs. Is the Hyundai Tucson PHEV severely underrated?

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