The compact crossover segment is a tough category to be in. Aside from it being occupied by stalwarts like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, any rival will need to stand out from the rest of the crowd to get noticed. Fortunately for Hyundai, the all-new 2022 Tucson has a lot to differentiate itself from others in the segment.

For starters, there’s the “Parametric Dynamic” exterior design language that makes the car look like an origami project from certain angles. Then there’s the new hybrid powertrain, which is smooth and extremely efficient. I had the pleasure of driving the 2022 Tucson Hybrid for a week and was impressed that it achieved such great fuel efficiency. Especially since I wasn’t aiming for that.

The 2022 Tucson Hybrid’s powertrain is smooth and powerful

Under the hood of the 2022 Tucson Hybrid, you’ll find a relatively unique hybrid powertrain. There’s a turbocharged 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine that’s mated to a 44.2-kWh electric motor, which receives power from a 270-volt lithium-ion battery pack. It’s impressive that the gas engine alone produces 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, but what’s more impressive is that the combination together pushes out 226 hp.

That powertrain is matched to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission and the automaker’s HTRAC All-Wheel-Drive system is now standard for the new model year. And while you might not notice the all-wheel drive system working on a daily basis, you will notice how well everything else works in conjunction with one another.

The powertrain feels smooth as the switch between the gas engine and the electric motor is virtually undetectable. There’s also plenty of torque off the line as the electric produces maximum thrust at 0 RPM. When going through the gears, there’s plenty of power in the midrange for passing other cars or going up steep hills, even at the high 5,000-plus feet of elevation that I’m at.

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid achieves stellar fuel efficiency even with a heavy foot

Whenever I have a hybrid vehicle for a week, I make it point to drive it as normally as possible in order to achieve an “average” result that anyone else would get while going about their daily lives. Admittedly, I have a bit of a heavy foot at times, especially when there’s a nice winding road in front of me with no traffic in sight.

As such, during my time with the Tucson Hybrid, I put the car through its paces by driving it spiritedly through canyon roads and testing out the “sport mode” as much as possible. I’m fully aware that not every Tucson Hybrid owner would drive their car in this manner, but in case you’re the type that does, here is what you can expect.

The 2022 Tucson Hybrid has an EPA-estimated fuel efficiency rating of 37 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. They estimate that you can get up to 37 mpg in combined driving situations. However, in my week of testing, which included city, highway, and hard-driving, I obtained an average of 35 mpg. That’s pretty good for a capable family hauler.

The 2022 Tucson Hybrid is definitely worth its price tag

My Hyundai Tucson test car for the week was a top-trim Limited model. If you opt for that trim, then be prepared to spend around $37,000 (before any incentives or discounts). If you want a cheaper trim level, then you’ll spend closer to the $30,000 mark.

However, I do recommend getting the most out of your Tucson Hybrid because the features, as well as the fuel efficiency alone, make this compact crossover worth every penny spent. Take that, Honda and Toyota!