6 things you need to know about the 2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV

Tucson is Hyundai’s best-selling model in the U.S market, and 123,657 units were sold in the country in 2020. 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, provided supply constraints are managed well. According to the latest sales data, Hyundai has sold 116,047 Tucsons in America this year (between January and September), recording a 27% year-over-year growth.

The fourth-gen Hyundai Tucson’s hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants are now on sale in the U.S. Here are six 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.

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:

Parameter	2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Specification	2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV Specification
Engine	1.6L T-GDi	1.6L T-GDi
Engine Max. Power	180 hp at 5,500 rpm	180 hp at 5,500 rpm
Engine Max. Torque	195 lb.-ft. at 1,500-4,500 rpm	195 lb.-ft. at 1,500-4,500 rpm
Electric Motor Power	59 hp at 1,600-2,000 rpm	90 hp at 2,100-3,300 rpm
Electric Motor Torque	195 lb.-ft. at 0-1,600 rpm	224 lb.-ft. at 2,100 rpm
Combined Power	226 hp	261 hp
Combined Torque	NA	258 lb.-ft.
Battery	Lithium-ion Polymer	Lithium-ion Polymer
Battery Voltage	270 V	360 V
Battery Energy Storage Capacity	1.49 kWh	13.8 kWh
Battery Power Output	64 kW	88 kW
Charge Port	No	Yes
On-board Charger Peak Power	–	7.2 kW at 240 V
100% Charging Time	–	Under 2 hours
EV Range (EPA)	–	33 miles
Transmission	6-speed automatic	6-speed automatic
Drivetrain Layout	AWD (with HTRAC)	AWD (with HTRAC)
Fuel efficiency	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)

Electric range close to Toyota RAV4 Prime’s

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 Hyundai PHEV can provide a range of 420 miles, while the Toyota PHEV can cover a much longer distance of 600 miles.

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 at the company’s Ulsan factory in South Korea.

Available in two trims

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

Lower base price than the RAV4 Prime

Hyundai has priced the 2022 Tucson PHEV at USD 34,750 in the base SEL trim. That makes it USD 4,815 cheaper than Toyota’s (base) RAV4 Prime SE, which costs USD 38,350. However, the higher-grade Tucson PHEV Limited costs USD 42,550. The better-equipped 2021 RAV4 PHEV XSE is cheaper, retailing at USD 41,675. Do note that none of these prices include the destination fee.

Source: Youtube/Legend17

Hyundai Tucson PHEV FAQs

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