2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid: 8 things to know

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid is a “carry-over model,” meaning that it entails soft changes over the 2023 model. Here are 8 things you need to know about the Tucson PHEV.

The most powerful Tucson configuration

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) uses the same internal combustion engine as the Tucson Hybrid (HEV). The 1.6-liter T-GDi turbocharged gasoline direct-injection four-cylinder mill produces 180 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 195 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,500-4,500 rpm. The 2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid also shares a 6-speed automatic torque converter transmission with the Tucson HEV.

With a higher-output motor and a larger battery, the plug-in hybrid variant boasts more advanced electrification. Here is a table that compares the mechanical differences between the hybrid and plug-in hybrid:

Parameter	Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Specification	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	258 lb.-ft.	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	–	~2 hours
Expected EV Range	–	33 miles
Expected Total Range	Up to 521 miles	420 miles
Transmission	6-speed automatic	6-speed automatic
Drivetrain Layout	AWD (with HTRAC)	AWD (with HTRAC)
Expected Fuel efficiency	Up to 38 MPG (combined)	80 MPGe (combined, elec + gas)/35 MPG (combined, gas)

Electric range lower than Toyota RAV4 Prime’s

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson PHEV’s EPA-estimated EV mode range should be the same as the outgoing model – 33 miles. In comparison, the Toyota RAV4 Prime‘s EPA-est. range is much higher – 42 miles.

The 2024 Tucson PHEV’s combined fuel economy rating should be 80 MPGe (electricity + gasoline)/35 MPG (gasoline). The 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 will likely provide a range of 420 miles, while the Japanese SUV can cover a much longer distance of 600 miles.

Standard AWD

The new-generation Hyundai Tucson is the first Hyundai SUV where the plug-in hybrid variant gets the HTRAC AWD system standard. This feature, useful in harsh weather conditions, has been carried forward to the 2024 model.

Not manufactured in the U.S.

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

Same trims

As with the outgoing model, the 2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid will be available in SEL and Limited trim levels. These trims have some equipment changes, though.

Instead of an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the SEL trim includes the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system of the Limited trim. Both trims come with three new safety features – passenger seatbelt reminder (all passengers), rear side airbags, and rear outboard seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters. Another improvement in the safety aspect is that the steering wheel gives haptic feedback for the Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Blind-spot Collision-avoidance Assist (BCA).

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 are some of the main carried-over standard features.

Compared to the base trim, the top-end trim includes additional/better kit like an 8-way power front passenger seat, front-seat ventilation, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, front and rear parking sensors, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Reverse, and Remote Smart Park Assist.

Least spacious Tucson variant

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

Dimension/Capacity	Tucson Gas	Tucson HEV	Tucson PHEV
Total 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.	38.7 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 Tank	14.3 gallons	13.7 gallons	11.1 gallons

Hyundai’s most popular PHEV in the U.S.

The Tucson PHEV is the most popular plug-in Hyundai model in the U.S., as per Wards Intelligence data (via wardsauto.com). Of the 3,678 plug-in hybrids sold through April 2022, up from 779 in 2021, 1,793 were Tucson PHEVs. The compact plug-in hybrid SUV accounts for nearly half (49%) of the PHEVs Hyundai sold in the country. The Santa Fe PHEV, with 1,100 units, ranked second, while the Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid’s sales were flat. Note that the Ioniq eco-car family is no longer on sale in the U.S.

Recently, reporting its H1 2023 sales, Hyundai said the Tucson PHEV had its best-ever June in 2023. The company didn’t share the sales figure, but said it was 84% higher (presumably compared to June 2022). Thanks to the full model change for MY2022 and the expansion of powertrain options to include hybrid and plug-in hybrid, Tucson sales (all variants combined) were up 16% year-over-year (2021: 150,949 units). In H1 2023, Hyundai sold 100,591 units of the compact SUV, 20% more than in H1 2022 (84,071 units).

Pricier than the 2023 model

The prices of the 2024 Hyundai Tucson PHEV aren’t out yet, but we expect them to be slightly higher than those of the outgoing model, which retails at USD 37,500 in the SEL trim and USD 44,760 in the Limited trim. The new model could be priced at around USD 38,000 (SEL) and USD 45,300 (Limited). The standard freight charge, which is USD 1,335 in the outgoing model’s case, could be higher, too. We’ll update this section when we have confirmation.

The Tucson PHEV’s rivals are yet to be updated to the 2024 model year. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime is available in SE and XSE trims, for a price of USD 43,090 (excl. USD 1,335 destination fee) and USD 46,960 (excl. USD 1,335 destination fee). The 2023 Ford Escape PHEV retails at USD 40,500 (excl. USD 1,495 destination fee), slotting between the Hyundai and Toyota plug-in hybrid SUVs. The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, a cheaper alternative priced at USD 36,845 (excl. USD 1,225 destination fee), has been discontinued in the U.S.

2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid FAQs

Featured Image Source: Hyundai