7 things you need to know about the 2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV [Update]

• Is the most powerful Tucson configuration
• Electric range not as good as the Toyota RAV4 Prime
• Standard AWD
• Not made in Alabama, USA
• Available in two trims
• Least spacious Tucson variant
• Lower base price than the RAV4 Prime
• Hyundai Tucson PHEV FAQs
• What is the 2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV EV range?
• What is the Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid release date?
• What is the Hyundai Tucson PHEV price?

Update: ‘Lower base price than the RAV4 Prime’ section updated.

Tucson is Hyundai’s best-selling model in the U.S market, and 150,949 units were sold in the country in 2021. With the full model change for MY2022 and the expansion of powertrain options to include hybrid and plug-in hybrid, annual sales should set new records in 2022, the first full year of sales of the fourth-gen Tucson, provided supply constraints are managed well.

The fourth-gen Hyundai Tucson’s hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants are now on sale in the U.S. Here are seven things you need to know about the 2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV:

Is the most powerful Tucson configuration

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid uses the same internal combustion engine as the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. It’s a 1.6-liter T-GDi turbocharged gasoline direct-injection four-cylinder mill that produces 180 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 195 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,500-4,500 rpm. The 2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV shares a 6-speed automatic torque converter transmission also with the Tucson HEV.

Image source – https://org3-www.hyundai.com/

The plug-in hybrid variant has more advanced electrification, with a higher-output motor and a higher-capacity battery. Refer to the table to compare the mechanical differences in the hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants:

Parameter2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Specification2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV SpecificationEngine1.6L T-GDi1.6L T-GDiEngine Max. Power180 hp at 5,500 rpm180 hp at 5,500 rpmEngine Max. Torque195 lb.-ft. at 1,500-4,500 rpm195 lb.-ft. at 1,500-4,500 rpmElectric Motor Power59 hp at 1,600-2,000 rpm90 hp at 2,100-3,300 rpmElectric Motor Torque195 lb.-ft. at 0-1,600 rpm224 lb.-ft. at 2,100 rpmCombined Power226 hp261 hpCombined Torque258 lb.-ft.258 lb.-ft.BatteryLithium-ion PolymerLithium-ion PolymerBattery Voltage270 V360 VBattery Energy Storage Capacity1.49 kWh13.8 kWhBattery Power Output64 kW88 kWCharge PortNoYesOn-board Charger Peak Power–7.2 kW at 240 V100% Charging Time–Under 2 hoursEV Range (EPA)–33 milesTotal Range (EPA)Up to 521 miles420 milesTransmission6-speed automatic6-speed automaticDrivetrain LayoutAWD (with HTRAC)AWD (with HTRAC)Fuel efficiencyUp to 38 MPG (combined)80 MPGe (combined, elec + gas)/35 MPG (combined, gas)Cargo Capacity (Max.)38.8 cu. ft. (rear seats up)/74.5 cu. ft. (rear seats folded down)31.9 cu. ft. (rear seats up)/66.3 cu. ft. (rear seats folded down)

Source: Hyundai (USA)

Electric range not as good as the Toyota RAV4 Prime

The Hyundai Tucson PHEV’s EPA-estimated EV mode range is 33 miles, which is much lower than the Toyota RAV4 Prime (PHEV)’s EPA-estimated EV mode range of 42 miles. Its combined fuel economy rating is 80 MPGe (electricity + gasoline)/35 MPG (gasoline). The Toyota RAV4 Prime crushes it in this aspect as well, with 94 MPGe (electricity + gasoline)/38 MPG (gasoline). On a full charge and a full tank, the South Korean SUV can provide a range of 420 miles, while the Japanese SUV can cover a much longer distance of 600 miles.

The Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid features the company’s HTRAC AWD system as standard. Images: Hyundai

Standard AWD

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is the first Hyundai SUV where the plug-in hybrid variant gets the HTRAC AWD system standard. The same applies to the new compact SUV’s hybrid variant.

Not made in Alabama, USA

Where the standard Tucson is made at the Alabama factory in the United States, the Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid production takes place in Ulsan, South Korea.

Available in two trims

Hyundai offers the 2022 Tucson PHEV in the U.S. in SEL and Limited trims. Image Source: Hyundai

The SEL trim includes features like an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8-way power driver seat with power lumbar support, front-seat heating, Smart Cruise Control with start/stop, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance Assist. As for the Limited trim, Hyundai mentions a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, an 8-way power front passenger seat, front-seat ventilation, Surround View and Blind-Spot View Monitor, front and rear parking sensors, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and Remote Smart Park Assist as key features.

Least spacious Tucson variant

The plug-in hybrid variant of the Tucson obviously has some compromises with respect to dimensions and capacities compared to the ICE and hybrid variants, as the battery, motor and power electronics take up added space.

Dimension/CapacityTucson ICETucson HEVTucson PHEVTotal interior volume (w/o pano sunroof)146.9 cu. ft.146.7 cu. ft.137.8 cu. ft.Passenger interior volume (w/o pano sunroof)108.2 cu. ft.107.9 cu. ft.105.9 cu. ft.Cargo capacity, rear seats up (cu. ft.)38.7 cu. ft.38.8 cu. ft.31.9 cu. ft.Cargo capacity, rear seats folded down (cu. ft.)74.8 cu. ft.74.5 cu. ft.66.3 cu. ft.Fuel Tank14.3 gallons13.7 gallons11.1 gallons

Source: Hyundai

Lower base price than the RAV4 Prime

Tucson PHEV TrimTucson PHEV Price*SELUSD 35,400LimitedUSD 43,200

*Excl. destination fee. Source: Hyundai

Hyundai has priced the 2022 Tucson PHEV at USD 35,400 in the base SEL trim. That makes it USD 4,900 cheaper than Toyota’s (base) RAV4 Prime SE, which costs USD 40,300. However, the higher-grade Tucson PHEV Limited costs USD 43,200. The better-equipped 2021 RAV4 PHEV XSE is cheaper, retailing at just USD 425 higher – USD 43,625. Do note that none of these prices include the destination fee, which is USD 1,245 in the case of the Hyundai PHEV and USD 1,215 in the case of the Toyota PHEV.

Source: Youtube/Legend17

Hyundai Tucson PHEV FAQs

What is the 2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV EV range?

The Hyundai Tucson PHEV’s EV range is 33 miles (EPA est.).

What is the Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid release date?

The Tucson PHEV is on sale in the United States since 2021.

What is the Hyundai Tucson PHEV price?

The standard Tucson PHEV costs USD 35,400 (excluding destination fee).

Featured Image Source: Hyundai

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