Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Don't Fix What Isn't BrokenHyundaifacelifted its popular Tucson crossover last year, and the 2026 Tucson carries over unchanged. If you weren't looking at them next to each other, the updated Tucson doesn't look drastically different than the previous one, and that's by design. An all-new model is currently in development but customers liked how the existing Tucson looks, so Hyundai didn't feel the need to radically change the exterior styling.Jared Rosenholtz/AutoblogView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementIf you were curious about the exterior updates, the 2025 Tucson received a slightly revised front end with an updated lighting signature (now with eight light areas instead of 10) and some different wheels. The bigger improvements take place inside, where Hyundai proved it actually listens to what customers write in those feedback surveys.The Buttons And Knobs Are BackHigher trims of the pre-facelift Tucson were saddled annoying touch-capacitive controls for functions like the climate and audio. The updated model receives a big update to the interior, which feels highly inspired by models like the Ioniq 5. There's a simpler steering wheel, a more open center console, a much to the delight of previous Tucson owners, more real buttons and knobs.Jared Rosenholtz/AutoblogView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleHyundai gives drivers quick access to menus via physical shortcut buttons, and volume and tuning knobs now make basic audio functions easier than before. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen is paired with either a 12.3-inch gauge cluster or smaller 4.2-inch multi-information display, and looks more modern than the previous split setup. Lastly, we love the openness of the center console, and how much space it provides for items like phones and keys; there's also a handy shelf in front of the passenger.AdvertisementAdvertisementhttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/7529drHNTk0Every Powertrain Is CoveredHyundai knows not every driver is ready to switch to an electric vehicle, which is why the Tucson still comes in gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid versions. The gas model is not our favorite with its lackluster 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder and clunky eight-speed automatic, but at least Hyundai gives buyers the choice.Jared Rosenholtz/AutoblogView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleWe much prefer the Tucson Hybrid, which swaps the 2.5-liter for a smaller 1.6-liter turbo-four that delivers 231 hp when combined with the electric motor. It's also far more fuel efficient, netting 36 mpg combined compared to 26 mpg in the all-wheel-drive gas model.AdvertisementAdvertisementThere's also a PHEV, with boosts the total output to 268 hp and adds a 32-mile electric range from a 13.8 kWh battery. This is a decent power bump, but it's not enough to offset the battery weight, and the Tucson PHEV took 7.14 seconds to hit 60 mph in our testing. For reference, the latest Toyota RAV4 PHEV takes just 5.4 seconds since it produces 324 hp.Just Get The HybridThough it wasn't the most drastic facelift, we didn't think the Tucson needed to be changed much. It was already a great crossover that's now even better because Hyundai listened to customer feedback.Jared Rosenholtz/AutoblogView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleWe think the Tucson Hybrid is the sweet spot in the lineup, prices from around $30,950 for the base SE up to $41,825 for the loaded Limited. The PHEV takes a large leap in price, starting at $40,325 for the SEL and $48,550 for the Limited. Even if you have a short commute to take full advantage of the 32-mile range, it would take a long time to offset the $6,725 premium. There used to be a $7,500 federal tax credit that would have made the PHEV a no-brainer, but now that it's gone, we find them more difficult to recommend.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Cars section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.