The review of the Tucson hybrid is a touchy subject.
The gas and hybrid Tucsons are on sale now, and the plug-in is still to come, but it has been limited to California and states that follow the zero emission rules. Which trim level is best for your budget and needs? Check out the highlights of each version to decide for yourself.
SE
The base Tucson SE is only offered with a standard four- cylinder gas engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. There is a standard bundle of safety and driver assistance technology that includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist and junction-turning collision detection, as well as a blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.
The SE has manual adjustments for the air conditioning and driver seat, as well as cloth upholstery. There are a number of convenience features on the base trim, which include dual usb ports for the front cabin and an 8-inch screen in the back cabin. Also standard are 17-inch alloy wheels, a 60/40 split rear seat with remote releases, rear armrest with cupholders, dual-level cargo floor and daytime running lights. All prices listed here include a mandatory destination charge of $1,295), but the SE starts at $27,745 with front-wheel drive.
SEL
The SEL trim level is the sweet spot for feature value in the gasoline Tucson. The SE adds larger 19-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass behind the front row, an optional moonroof, heated mirrors, and a hands-free power rear liftgate. Inside, the SEL gets heated seats, air-conditioning vents on the rear of the center console for rear passengers, and an eight-way power driver seat with power recline. It adds a proximity key with push-button start, wireless device charging, and digital key functions, as well as an 8-inch touchscreen system with satellite radio andHyundai Bluelink. The gasoline SEL starts at $29,345 for the front-wheel-drive version and adds $1,500 for the rear-wheel-drive version.
For a relatively modest $2,250 more, the SEL Convenience Package takes the SEL more upscale with additional appearance and convenience features, including a vinyl upholstery that is called H-Tex, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, dual-zone automatic climate control and 10-color ambient. You can add the SEL Convenience Package for a starting price of $31,595.
The packaging for the hybrid is different. The hybrid’s only trim is called SEL Convenience and is similar to the gasoline SEL with Convenience Package with a few additions. It starts at $35, 155.
The plug-in has the same trim levels as before. The SEL is a similar model to the gasoline SEL. The plug-in hybrid system includes a bigger electric motor and battery for a total system output of 261hp. The EPA rated the PHEV for 33 miles of electric-only driving in 2022, but the rating hasn’t been released yet. There is a plug-in hybrid SEL that starts at $38,345.
XRT
If the Tucson appeals to you, the XRT trim level is based on the SEL with Convenience package. It adds an XRT appearance package with black 19-inch alloy wheels, more aggressive front and rear details, heavier lower-side cladding with side steps, black mirrors and window frames, and only functional exterior upgrades are roof rails and a tow hitch. The XRT has a 10.25-inch screen with navigation, H-Tex imitation leather seats and a black headliner. The XRT is only available with the standard gas engine and front- or all-wheel drive. The XRT starts at $34,570 with a front wheel drive.
Limited
If your budget allows, you can go all in on a 2023 Tucson with the top-level limited trim level. The grille and panoramic moonroof are on the exterior trim. The Tucson has leather upholstery, heated andventilated front seats, heated andventilated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, eight-way power adjustment for the passenger seat, driver-seat adjustment memory and ambient lighting. Bose premium audio and a 10.25-inch screen are included in media tech.
The Blind View Monitor that displays a video view of the blind spots in the 10.25-inch instrument display is one of the added safety and driver assistance tech that the limited gets. The system includes a camera, parking sensors, rear automatic braking, lane-centering steering, and remote smart parking assist, which can be used to pull into and out of a parking space. The Tucson gasoline starts at $37,005. The hybrid starts at $39,995, and the PHEV starts at $46,605.
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