This week I bring you the all-new 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited Hybrid AWD -- a 5 passenger SUV with distinctive style and impressive technology, not to mention great fuel economy.
Exterior
The redesigned Hyundai Tucson is no wallflower. It’s designed with strong lines and angles and there’s a really 3-dimensional, chiseled look to the profile. The lighting signature both in the front and rear makes a striking impression.
The front end features a dark chrome grille, 19-inch wheels along with projector type bi-LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and front turn signals. You’ll also find chrome accents and black side sills on the exterior. In back you find a body-colored rear spoiler with an LED brake light and roof rails on top. Something unexpected is that the turn signal is located lower in the bumper instead of higher up integrated in the tail light area. A cool feature is that the Hyundai logo is integrated into the rear glass.
Powertrain
Under the hood you find a 1.6L Turbo-GDI inline 4-cylinder hybrid system with a combined 226-horsepower. (A plug-in model will offer an estimated 261-horsepower.) It’s mated to a HEV-tuned six-speed automatic transmission. Also, for the first time in a Hyundai SUV, the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models offer standard HTRAC AWD capability.
Interior
The Tucson’s 5-passenger two-toned interior is modern with a mix of well-integrated textures. There is a lot of glossy black especially around the center console area. You’ll find silver trim as well and the hardware for the push-button transmission, drive mode selector, parking brake and auto hold on the center console looks premium. A large sweeping soft-touch dash curves inward on the passenger side. Hyundai’s incorporated fabric inserts on part of the dash and door panels.
Leather-trimmed 8-way power adjustable front seats feature three-level heated and ventilated seats, the latter of which was a fantastic feature to have in the Texas summer heat. The center console is raised in an seemingly ergonomic way to support your hand.
The leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel is a mix of textures with gloss black and silver accents. I like the ease of use of the steering-wheel mounted controls. My favorite feature - the mute button for the audio. It’s become one of my must-have vehicle features.
The second-row is very spacious with a bit more plastic on the door panels. There is a drop down center armrest, nets on the seat backs to store items, and the second row seats are heated in the Limited trim. I can definitely see three adults fitting fine back here. Love the recline feature on the second row. There are A/C vents but no temp controls.
The Limited trim comes with dual-zone climate, a panoramic sunroof, an 8-speaker Bose premium sound system, rain-sensing wipers and 64-color interior ambient lighting.
Cabin Tech
As with all Hyundai vehicles of late, technology is a highlight in the new Tucson. There are two large 10.25-inch screens. One houses the multimedia system. The screen is responsive and displays great graphics, navigation mapping and 360-degree camera quality. If you prefer knobs over capacitive-touch controls, however, you may have an issue with the center stack. There are no knobs or dials present. I found myself apt to use Voice Control which works really great when it comes to changing radio stations and finding locations. The system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (but they aren’t wireless with the larger multimedia screen) along with HD Radio and Bluetooth. Hyundai’s multimedia system is easy to navigate through the various menu items and offers features like a Quiet Mode, Valet Mode and Sounds of Nature.
A 10.25-inch digital driver’s gauge behind the steering wheel features a floating, frameless tablet design. The colors and graphics look great, especially love the animations between drive modes, but I think a more integrated display might have made for a more premium SUV cabin feel. It, along with the multimedia display, look great at night. Other tech features include a wireless charger and 2 USB ports up front and two in the back.
Utility
The Tucson has a 60/40 seat split, but no pass-through area. Levers in the cargo area easily drop the second row seats down. You’ll find 38.7 cubic-feet of cargo space in the back along with a dual level cargo floor. There is a 12-volt in the cargo area and one up front. The Hands-Free Power Liftgate operates at a nice speed.
Ride and Drive
The Tucson is an easy to drive vehicle with a comfortable, smooth and quiet ride. Braking is confident as well. In terms of handling, I continue to find that overall Hyundai delivers sportier and stiffer handling vehicles than some of its competitors. The Tucson fortified my feelings with its sportier driving feel especially in Sport mode which made steering very responsive.
Safety
The 2022 Tucson offers a list of amazing driver assistance features. Standard equipment includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross Traffic-Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Surround View Monitor, Blind Spot View Monitor, Parking Distance Warning, Parking Collision Avoidance Assist, and Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert.
Another must-talk about feature on my test vehicle is Remote Smart Park Assist. The easy-to-use-feature works via keyfob. Once you turn on the locked vehicle using the remote start on the keyfob you can enact Park Assist and the vehicle will pull into or out of a parking space remotely.
My favorite technology in the Hyundai Tucson is its Highway Driving Assist semi-autonomous technology. I think it’s superb. It kept me in my highway lane quite impressively. Notably, even when construction lane markers, not actual painted lines, were present.
Verdict
The redesigned 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited is a stylish two-row SUV that offers a modern, roomy cabin with impressive technology, convenience features and stellar driver assistance features including Remote Smart Park Assist and Highway Driver Assist. I consider its roughly $37,000 price tag, as listed on Hyundai’s website, a great value for everything it delivers. 
- What I Liked Most: Highway Driver Assist, Multimedia display, Remote Smart Park Assist, Center Console, Digital Gauge Graphics, Lighting Signature
- What I would change:I think I’d prefer a digital gauge display fully integrated into the dash. Also some actual knobs for multimedia controls.
- MSRP: No pricing information provided on the vehicle Monroney sticker. The Hyundai website lists the base price of Hybrid Limited AWD as $37,350 w/o destination.
- Fuel Economy: 37 city/36 highway/37 combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 1,840 miles.
- Weight: 3,752 pounds.
- Spare Tire: Tire Repair Kit.
- Length-Width-Height:182.3” long/ 73.4” wide/ 65.6” high with roof/rails.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.7 gallons, filler on the driver's side.
- Towing Capacity: 2,000 lbs. with trailer brakes.
- Official Color: Amazon Gray.
- 2022 Hyundai Tucson in a few words: A great SUV with a quiet, comfortable ride, and fantastic technology.
- Warranty: Five-year, 60,000-mile overall warranty, ten-year, 100,000-mile powertrain protection and five-year, unlimited-mileage roadside assistance, ten-year, 100,000-mile Hybrid components, ten-year, 100,000-mile Battery warranty.
- Final Assembly Location: Ulsan, Korea.
- Manufacturer's website: Hyundai
