2025 Hyundai Tucson Reviews: Is This Crossover the Right Appliance for You?

Just like a dependable air fryer becomes a kitchen staple, a car should reliably serve its purpose. Reflecting on the author’s air fryer farewell, it’s clear that even mundane appliances can earn our affection through consistent performance. The 2025 Hyundai Tucson aims to be precisely that kind of automotive appliance for many drivers. For those seeking a vehicle that seamlessly blends into daily life, offering comfort and reliability without demanding constant attention, the Tucson presents itself as a compelling option. While it might not ignite passion with thrilling driving dynamics, its strength lies in consistently and competently fulfilling its intended role.

For the 2025 model year, the Hyundai Tucson embraces a refreshed interior design philosophy, elevating its perceived quality and sophistication. Mirroring technological advancements found in Hyundai’s more premium offerings like the Santa Fe, the Tucson integrates advanced features while maintaining its position as an accessible crossover in the Hyundai lineup. This upgrade ensures that the Tucson transcends its budget-friendly classification, delivering a more premium experience than its price tag suggests. Furthermore, Hyundai has prioritized ride quality enhancements, aiming to distinguish the Tucson within the fiercely competitive compact SUV segment.

Hyundai Tucson: Stepping Up its Game

In a market segment dominated by established giants such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, any contender must bring significant strengths to the table. While previous iterations of the Hyundai Tucson were competent and practical, they lacked a distinct defining characteristic. However, the 2025 model marks a turning point. Through a combination of Hyundai’s revamped interior aesthetics, cutting-edge technology integration, and a noticeably improved ride quality, the Tucson is now positioned to potentially become the benchmark for affordable luxury within its class.

Externally, the 2025 Tucson presents subtle yet discernible updates. A redesigned front grille, modified lower fascias, and new wheel designs contribute to a refreshed appearance. The rear wiper, now extended by 75mm, exemplifies Hyundai’s attention to detail. However, to the casual observer, these changes may appear nuanced. The Tucson retains its signature large grille, stacked headlight arrangement, and a complex interplay of lines and angles across its bodywork – a design described by some as polarizing. While the author personally finds it less visually appealing compared to the more conventionally handsome CR-V and RAV4, the bold and unconventional styling may resonate with a segment of buyers seeking a distinctive aesthetic.

The interior of the 2025 Tucson represents a significant departure from its exterior boldness, embracing a sophisticated and refined ambiance. The minimalist three-spoke steering wheel exudes elegance, while the expansive dual-12.3-inch curved screen display immediately conveys a sense of high-tech modernity. The cantilevered armrest contributes to an open and spacious center console area. Similar to the new Santa Fe, the Limited trim features a wireless charging pad integrated into the armrest, complete with a rubberized mat. Notably, this premium center console design with wireless charging is exclusive to the top-tier Limited trim. Lower trims revert to a conventional armrest and a traditional mechanical shifter, as opposed to the column-mounted shifter in the Limited. While the Limited trim prioritizes space and convenience, the difference may not be a decisive factor for all buyers.

The infotainment system is praised for its responsiveness and intuitive operation, and the climate controls offer a user-friendly combination of touch and physical buttons. Overall, the interior environment projects a sense of premium quality that surpasses previous Tucson models and belies its competitive price point.

Driving Dynamics and Performance of the Hyundai Tucson

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson’s budget-conscious origins become more apparent when considering its powertrain. Unless opting for the hybrid variant, the standard Tucson is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine, while adequate for basic transportation, delivers a rather uninspired driving experience. Producing 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, it provides sufficient power for everyday driving but lacks any sense of excitement. Compounding this lack of dynamism is the average fuel economy, hovering around 26 mpg combined. While comparable to competitors, the unremarkable engine performance makes the fuel consumption less forgivable. Although the engine is commendably smooth, it reinforces the notion that vehicles in this segment could greatly benefit from electrification. An electric Tucson, the author suggests, could be a compelling proposition.

However, it’s acknowledged that the majority of crossover buyers prioritize comfort and technology over exhilarating performance. Many vehicles in this class feature similarly unremarkable powertrains, yet their sales remain robust. For most consumers, a quiet, technologically advanced cabin and a comfortable ride are paramount. The Tucson excels in these areas.

Addressing past criticisms of Hyundai’s ride quality often being too firm, the 2025 Tucson errs on the side of softness. The ride is described as plush and cushioned, almost to the point of feeling floaty. While this emphasis on comfort compromises sporty handling, resulting in noticeable body roll during cornering, it rewards relaxed and smooth driving with a pillowy ride quality that enhances passenger comfort. The cabin also remains quiet, even at highway speeds. Therefore, despite its budget-car fundamentals, the Tucson emulates a near-luxury driving experience when driven in a relaxed manner.

This focus on ride comfort does present a trade-off in highway driving. The soft suspension can feel somewhat floaty at higher speeds, leading to a less planted sensation and requiring frequent minor steering adjustments to maintain a straight trajectory. While not severely flawed, the Tucson is most at home in urban and suburban environments, excelling as a comfortable and tech-laden appliance for everyday commutes and errands.

Highlights and Drawbacks of the Hyundai Tucson

The 2025 Tucson’s strengths are predominantly found within its cabin. Hyundai’s updated interior design language is lauded, particularly the placement of the wireless charging pad and the user-friendly climate controls with physical knobs and sensibly arranged touch buttons – a welcome departure from excessive touchscreen reliance. The seats are comfortable, and the overall build quality appears to be above average for its price bracket.

However, the interior is not without minor shortcomings. Rear passenger space is described as adequate but not exceptional, and the digital instrument cluster’s aesthetics are considered somewhat cartoonish and potentially unrefined – though acknowledged as subjective. The most significant drawback remains the underwhelming engine, which fails to impress in both performance and fuel efficiency.

Features, Options, and Competition in the Hyundai Tucson Segment

Reflecting its position as a budget-conscious crossover with a starting price around $30,000, the base 2025 Tucson offers a surprisingly generous level of standard equipment. Even entry-level models include the expansive 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 17-inch alloy wheels, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and LED headlights. Therefore, even the most affordable Tucson trim provides a well-equipped package.

Opting for higher trims unlocks a range of desirable upgrades. The fully-loaded Tucson Limited test vehicle featured a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, a hands-free power liftgate, Bose audio, heated and ventilated front seats, and the upgraded center console. In Limited specification, the Tucson delivers a genuinely premium experience, and at an as-tested price of $41,870, it presents a compelling value proposition.

While competitors like the CR-V and RAV4 offer similarly upscale interiors at comparable prices, the Tucson’s cabin possesses a more mature and premium aesthetic. While material quality may be comparable, the Tucson’s design language appears more sophisticated and incorporates unique features. Examples include Hyundai’s Blind View Monitor, which displays a live camera feed of blind spots in the instrument cluster when turn signals are activated, and a chime that alerts drivers when the vehicle ahead moves forward from a stop – subtle yet appreciated features that enhance the Tucson’s tech-forward and premium feel relative to its competitors.

Fuel Efficiency of the Hyundai Tucson

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson’s fuel economy is described as average for its class. With EPA ratings of 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined, it mirrors the fuel consumption of the Honda CR-V and slightly trails the Toyota RAV4. Given the engine’s uninspiring performance, the author expresses a desire for better fuel economy. However, for buyers prioritizing fuel efficiency, Hyundai offers a Tucson Hybrid variant.

The Tucson Hybrid pairs an electric motor with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, boosting power to 231 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque while significantly improving fuel economy to 35 mpg across city, highway, and combined cycles.

Value and Final Verdict on the Hyundai Tucson

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson is competitively priced within its segment, aligning closely with rivals. However, its value proposition becomes apparent when considering its feature content and overall experience. The Tucson Limited offers a wealth of technology and distinguishes itself as a quiet, comfortable crossover that leans towards a budget-luxury feel rather than a basic economy car. Considering its features and options, the as-tested price of $41,870 is considered good value.

In a crowded market of compact, affordable crossovers, the Hyundai Tucson successfully differentiates itself through its bold styling, surprisingly refined interior, and comfortable ride. It effectively caters to the priorities of most crossover buyers: comfort, quietness, and technology. Few vehicles in this price range deliver on these aspects as comprehensively as the 2025 Hyundai Tucson. While not an exciting or thrilling vehicle, like a reliable appliance, the Tucson can be depended upon to consistently fulfill its intended purpose.