By Mitesh Zaveri & Shrawan Raja
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid continues largely unchanged from model year 2025. It keeps the same bold looks, smooth hybrid drivetrain, and a long features list that has made it one of the most practical compact SUVs on the market.
After several days of driving the North American-spec Ultimate AWD trim, I found it capable and composed, though not without quirks that show up in daily use in Canada.
Design
Considering that the next-gen Tucson is less than a year away, I have to say that the current model continues to look sharp and youthful. The front fascia carries the dark chrome grille with integrated LED daytime running lights that double as turn signals. The main headlight clusters sit lower on the bumper and use LED projectors. Functional vents and a silver skid plate complete the look.
The profile is defined by a strong shoulder line, black plastic cladding over the wheel arches, and 19-inch dual-tone turbine-style wheels. These skirtings extend along the doors and cover the lower sills, protecting against small stones and slush. The side mirrors are body-colored, power-adjustable but they don’t power-fold. They include blind-spot indicators, turn signals, and one of the four 360-degree cameras.
The rear design is in line with the rest of the car with claw-shaped LED taillights connected by a light bar. The turn indicators sit lower in halogen units, and a spoiler masks the rear wiper. A dark silver bumper coordinates with the front look. While there’s no change to the proportions since 2020, the golden exterior finish on my test car stood out.
Interior & Features
Once inside, the twin 12.3-inch display setup dominates the dashboard, one for the digital gauge cluster and the other for infotainment. The top of the dash is soft-touch plastic, while lower sections utilize harder materials. The fit feels tight, but I wish Hyundai had added more padding on the dashboard lip.
The steering wheel uses Hyundai’s four-dot “H” logo and feels comfortable to hold. At 5’11”, I had no issue settling into a good driving position. The seat offers eight-way power adjustment with lumbar support. The cushion feels broad and soft, though the side bolsters could be firmer.
The perforated leather seats are heated and ventilated, and both features work quickly in warm or cold conditions. The front passenger seat offers similar adjustment but lacks lumbar control.
I have to say that storage solutions are generous. The floating center console creates space for a deep cubby under the armrest, two flexible cupholders, and a wireless charging pad with LED status lights. Door pockets fit 1.5-liter bottles, but the glovebox is average in size.
Material quality has consistently improved over the years in the Tucson. The upper door panels use soft-touch trim, while the mid-sections are covered in fabric and leatherette. Gloss-black panels around switches pick up fingerprints easily, and need regular attention.
Displays
The infotainment system runs smoothly, offering sharp graphics and easy-to-navigate menus. It supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There are physical shortcut buttons for Home, Map, and Search, along with volume and tuning knobs. The navigation, hybrid information, and split-screen functions load without lag.
A fingerprint reader lets you start the vehicle without a key once registered. The head-up display projects speed, navigation, and driver-assist information clearly in the line of sight, reducing distraction. The climate control panel reverts to a physical-touch mixed layout with illuminated dials for temperature and fan speed.
The instrument cluster can switch themes depending on the drive mode. It has useful readouts like energy flow, trip data, and tire pressure. Using steering-mounted buttons, I could toggle between Eco, Sport, and personalized “My Drive” modes.
Seating & Comfort
Ingress and egress are easy due to the tall doors and slightly higher seating position. Visibility is good through the front and sides, though the thick C-pillars restrict rearward view.
Rear-seat space is one of the Tucson Hybrid’s highlights. With the front seat adjusted for my height, knee room measured roughly one palm’s width, and headroom would still be comfortable for someone up to six feet tall.
The rear bench is wide enough for three adults, and the backrest reclines slightly for better comfort in long roadtrips. Heated rear seats, rear vents, and two USB-C ports are provided. A third passenger will not be comfortable here as the middle seat is firm, and the transmission tunnel creates a small hump in the footwell, eating into legroom.
The panoramic sunroof extends far back, offering an airy feel to the cabin. It opens widely and brings in plenty of light, though it can increase cabin temperature on a hot summer afternoon.
Cargo
The electric liftgate opens to a wide and flat cargo area. Capacity measures 38.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 74.5 cubic feet when folded. The floor is flat, and there’s no step at the threshold, making it easy to load heavy bags. Pull levers in the boot release the 60:40 rear seatbacks, and tie-down hooks and a 12-volt socket are included. A tire repair kit sits beneath the floor instead of a spare wheel.
Performance
The Tucson Hybrid combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery. Combined output is 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, filtered through a six-speed automatic transmission to the HTRAC all-wheel-drive system.
Acceleration feels smooth and quick from a stop as the electric motor fills low-end torque. The turbocharger joins the party seamlessly, providing steady acceleration up to highway speeds. The six-speed automatic shifts unobtrusively but isn’t as quick as a dual-clutch. The transition between gas and electric drive is nearly imperceptible, and the powertrain continues in a refined manner in mixed traffic.
The system operates mostly in EV mode below 25 mph, then calling on the engine as vehicle speed rises. On the highways, the hybrid system still uses electric assist for coasting.
Ride & Handling
The suspension setup balances beautifully between comfort and control. It absorbs bumps well and limits body movement through corners. Rough patches of road are felt in the cabin but it never gets harsh. Steering is light in Normal mode and tightens up in Sport mode, offering accurate responses and decent feedback for an electric system.
The 2026 Tucson Hybrid feels composed at high speeds, tracking straight without the need for steering correction. In tight U-turns, the turning radius feels large for its size. The brakes are progressive, with a firm top travel and natural regeneration blending.
Efficiency & NVH
Over several days of mixed driving, I averaged 5.7 liters per 100 kilometers (about 41 mpg U.S.) in the city and 5.5 on the highway (43 mpg U.S.). Competitors like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid deliver slightly better numbers, but the Tucson’s refinement offsets the difference.
At idle, the cabin remains quiet, though tire roar and mild wind noise from the mirrors appear above 70 mph. The engine sounds coarse only under heavy throttle.
Safety
The Tucson Hybrid includes eight airbags, ABS, traction control, lane-keeping assist, smart cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot collision avoidance. The blind-spot warning system works well, but occasionally triggers late or lingers after the vehicle beside has cleared, which can be distracting in traffic.
The 360-degree camera system offers good resolution with multiple selectable angles. The rear view sits slightly low, which cuts the upper field of vision, but clarity is among the best in the segment. The remote smart parking assist lets you move the SUV forward or backward using the key fob, useful when parking in tight spaces.
Price
Pricing (MSRP) for the 2026 Tucson Hybrid in Canada starts at CAD 43,799 for the N Line trim, reaching CAD 47,799 for the Ultimate trim tested here. U.S. pricing begins at USD 32,200 (starting MSRP) for the Blue SE variant, topping out at USD 41,825 for the Limited variant.
TopElectricSUV says
After a week with it, the Tucson Hybrid Ultimate AWD proved to be a versatile daily SUV. The cabin feels premium, the powertrain is smooth, and the features are abundant. The late-reacting blind-spot system, mild tire noise, and larger turning circle are the main negatives, but they don’t overshadow its comfort, practicality, and refinement.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
