The 2025 Hyundai Tucson Has More Hybrid Power and a Baby Mode

8 months, 3 weeks ago - 29 March 2024, motor1
2025 Hyundai Tucson
2025 Hyundai Tucson
Plus there are some aesthetic tweaks to the exterior.

Hyundai has announced details for the new Tucson available in North America. Exterior/interior design and features match the global model. Under the skin, there's a bit more power for the hybrid and plug-in hybrid trims.

Both retain the same turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, but the standard hybrid now generates a combined 231 horsepower thanks to a bit more power from its electric motor. That's a 6-hp increase from the previous year, and the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid adds 7 ponies for a total combined output of 268 hp. Driver-adjustable levels for regenerative braking are part of the package for 2025.

Standard combustion models soldier on with Hyundai's naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine making 187 hp, connected to an eight-speed automatic driving either the front wheels or all four. Hybrid models use a six-speed automatic and have standard AWD. And for motion sensitive passengers, Hyundai adds Baby Mode to the drive modes on hybrids. This smooths out initial acceleration and driver inputs for a less jarring trip to the store.

Pricing for all 2025 Tucson trim levels will be announced closer to its on-sale date later this year. See the original debut article below for additional details.

The current fourth-generation Hyundai Tucson has been around in the US since 2020. Now it looks like the compact SUV is finally getting a facelift for the 2025 model year. Although it may look similar on the outside, there are a few changes to front grille and skid plates that make the Tucson seem wider.

The interior looks like it belongs to a next-generation model as the dashboard has been completely reconfigured. Like the Ioniq 5, the Tucson groups two 12.3-inch screens within the same housing and the Hyundai logo on the steering wheel has been replaced by four dots, which is Morse code for the letter "H."

The switchgear used to adjust the climate settings has been revamped as well, and thankfully, there are more conventional controls than before. Aside from old-school buttons, we notice a pair of rotary knobs with built-in screens for the AC, plus another two silver knobs for the volume controls and other settings. The central air vents are slimmer than before as well and give the illusion of a dashboard-wide continuous vent.

The more we look at the dashboard, the more changes we can spot. For example, it seems the gear selector has been moved to the steering wheel column. That allowed Hyundai to rethink the center console by integrating a large wireless charging pad, two big cup holders, and a row of buttons ahead of them. We must be looking at a high-end version given the premium stitching on the door cards and dashboard, along with perforated leather on the seats.

But that's all Hyundai is willing to reveal for the time being. Considering the 2024 Tucson has already debuted  in the United States, this update won't be offered until the 2025MY.