Hyundai Tucson Fuel Economy Improves for 2022
EPA ratings for the Tucson plug-in hybrid are still not disclosed.In the run-up to the launch of the all-new 2022 Hyundai Tucson this summer, we're getting more details about how the new SUV stacks up—and from a fuel economy perspective, things are looking good. Available for the first time as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, the fourth-generation Tucson not only looks spectacular but also promises improved fuel economy in its non-hybrid guise.
Sporting a striking outward appearance, the gas-only version of the revamped Tucson has better fuel economy ratings than the previous generation. The base model SE with front-wheel-drive starts at $26,135 and comes powered by a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated I-4. Its EPA fuel economy estimates are 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. Compare those numbers to the outgoing 2.0-liter Tucson FWD, rated at 23 city/28 highway/25 combined mpg, and the 2022's improvement is evident.
In addition to U.S. specs on the upcoming 2022 Tucson N Line, today Hyundai also released details on the 2022 Tucson plug-in hybrid (PHEV). These vehicles will join the regular gas-powered and hybrid models of the Tucson and bring the variant count to four. The plug-in version of the compact SUV will take on Toyota's surprisingly quick RAV4 Prime PHEV and be available this summer.
Hyundai says the 2022 Tucson PHEV will offer up 32 miles of electric-only range from a full charge with its 13.8-kWh battery pack. Hyundai estimates fuel economy will be in the 70-MPGe range. To keep the pack topped up, the vehicle supports up Level 2 charging up to 7.2 kW and, like most PHEVs, is engineered more for at-home overnight charging instead of being hooked up to charging stations in the wild.
Powering the Tucson PHEV will be a 261-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine connected to Hyundai's six-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle has a tow rating of 2000 pounds and like the rest of the Tucson lineup, and it's available with all-wheel drive with a dedicated Snow mode.
Its natural PHEV rival is the Toyota RAV4 Prime. The Toyota appears to best the Tucson in electric-only range with an EPA-rated 42 miles. Hyundai hasn't yet released pricing information, but we estimate the Tucson PHEV will start at approximately $35,000 making it roughly $4000 cheaper than the more expensive RAV4 Prime, which starts at $39,220.
