2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid: Everything we know

The first details of the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid ahead of its expected U.S. launch in late summer 2022 have been officially revealed. 2023 is the second model year for the Tucson Hybrid, which is a variant of the fourth-gen Tucson. Here’s everything we know about the 2023 Tucson Hybrid so far.

Design & Features

Hyundai Motor America has said that the 2023 Tucson Hybrid is a carry-over model, which explains the same design as the current SUV that debuted in September 2020. The Tucson Hybrid’s exterior, which embodies ‘Parametric Dynamics,’ and the interior, or ‘INTERSPACE’ as Hyundai calls it, is still quite fresh and appealing.

The 2023 Tucson Hybrid will be available in a new ‘Serenity White Pearl’ color instead of the current model’s Quartz White color, plus the carried-over Phantom Black, Deep Sea, Shimmering Silver, and Amazon Gray colors. The interior color options will be the same: Black and Gray.

There’s no change to the trim structure in the 2023 Tucson Hybrid. Like the current model, it will be available in Blue, SEL Convenience, and Limited trims. However, the feature content in each has changed. For example, there’s a new standard feature for enhanced safety – Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA). The Blue and SEL Convenience trims have several additional changes.

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Blue has lost wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the 2023 model year update. At the same time, it has gained Hyundai Digital Key support, wireless smartphone charger, and hands-free Smart Liftgate with auto open and adjustable height setting for more convenience.

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid SEL Convenience has received plenty of changes for MY2023. It has gained new H-Tex (leatherette) seat upholstery, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Curve Control, and Dynamic Voice Recognition. The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system has replaced the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Though overall more advanced, it doesn’t support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Specifications

The 2023 Tucson Hybrid has the same technical specifications as the current SUV. The 1.6-liter Smartstream turbo gasoline engine teams up with a permanent magnet synchronous motor. The energy for the latter comes from a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack operating at 270 volts. According to the U.S. specifications sheet, the gas engine produces 180 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque, and the motor assists it with 59 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. The resulting combined power and torque of the hybrid powertrain are 226 hp and 226 lb.-ft., respectively.

A 6-speed automatic torque converter transmission with paddle shifters and the HTRAC all-wheel drive system are standard in the 2023 Tucson Hybrid. The electrified SUV also features the ‘e-handling’ technology, which uses electric motor torque control to improve cornering performance. When turning into a corner, the electric motor applies precise incremental braking force to the front wheels. Then while exiting the corner, it applies precise torque to the rear axle.

The 2023 Tucson Hybrid is a parallel hybrid vehicle. It runs on the electric motor at low speeds, and when it recognizes additional load, like during heavy acceleration or a hill climb, it puts the engine to work. The powertrain constantly goes back and forth between driving and charging modes when the driving is relaxed. During deceleration, the regenerative braking system recuperates the braking energy and charges the battery.

The 2023 Tucson Hybrid’s EPA-est. fuel economy could be the same as the current model. For reference, the latter delivers 38 MPG (city/highway/combined) in the Blue trim and 37 MPG (city/combined)/36 MPG (highway) in the SEL Convenience and Limited trims.

Parameter	2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Specification (Expected)
Engine	1.6L T-GDi
Engine Max. Power	180 hp at 5,500 rpm
Engine Max. Torque	195 lb.-ft. at 1,500-4,500 rpm
Electric Motor Power	59 hp at 1,600-2,000 rpm
Electric Motor Torque	195 lb.-ft. at 0-1,600 rpm
Combined Power	226 hp
Combined Torque	258 lb.-ft.
Battery Pack	1.49 kWh Lithium-ion Polymer
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Drivetrain Layout	AWD (with HTRAC)
Expected EPA-est. Total Range	Up to 521 miles
Expected EPA-est. Fuel efficiency	Up to 38 MPG (combined)

Price

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid could start at around USD 30,000 when it hits dealers within a couple of months.

Also See: 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV): What we know

2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid FAQs

Featured Image Source: Hyundai