I Took the 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited for a Week: A Blend of Style, Comfort, and Efficiency

My week behind the wheel of the 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited trim was a delightful experience. This top-of-the-line trim impressed me with its features, comfort, and fuel efficiency, making it a strong contender in the compact hybrid SUV market.

While test driving, I found the 2024 Tucson Hybrid Limited's ride quality to be smooth. The combination of the electric motor and the turbocharged engine delivers peppy acceleration, making it enjoyable to drive in both city and highway settings. And let's not forget the fuel efficiency – achieving an impressive 37 MPG combined is a win.

Hyundai brought much-needed improvement to an already compelling vehicle when it added hybrid powertrain options to the recent Tucson redesign.

While the standard gasoline-powered Tucson delivered a striking design, ample features, and decent driving dynamics, its acceleration left something to be desired. The introduction of Tucson Hybrid and the Tucson PHEV (to challenge Toyota RAV4 Prime) models not only addressed this performance shortfall but brought the added benefit of improved fuel economy.

The hybrid 2024 Tucson 226 horsepower, the PHEV leaps to 261 horsepower, and both deliver a significant boost with 258 pound-feet of torque. This translates to a more enjoyable and responsive driving experience across the board. The six-speed automatic transmission sets them apart from typical CVTs often found in hybrids, ensuring a smoother driving experience.

For those needing a bit of hauling capability, an appropriately equipped electrified Tucson can tow an impressive 2000 pounds. The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and PHEV offer a 2,000-pound towing capacity, exceeding Honda CR-V and Chevy Equinox but falling short of Mazda CX-50's 3,500-pound limit.

Added bonuses come in the form of all-wheel drive as standard, and the remarkably quiet interior at highway speeds – a welcome luxury touch. As a cherry on top, the PHEV stands out as one of the most budget-friendly plug-in hybrid SUVs on the market, making it even more attractive. By the way, the 2024 Hyundai Tucson is also one of the best SUVs of the year.

What's new for the 2024 Tucson Hybrid?

More thrills with the N-Line trim: Gear up for excitement with the all-new N-Line trim available for the first time on the 2024 Tucson Hybrid. Inspired by Hyundai's high-performance N cars, the N-Line boasts a sporty look and delivers better acceleration compared to other trims, making it a great choice for driving enthusiasts.

Bigger touchscreen across all trims: Enjoy a more user-friendly experience with the upgraded 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, now standard on all trims of the Tucson Hybrid and PHEV. This larger display replaces the previously offered 8-inch unit and should make interacting with the car's infotainment system easier and more intuitive.

Enhanced safety features: Hyundai continues its commitment to safety by adding even more standard features for the 2024 Tucson Hybrid. Drivers will benefit from haptic feedback through the steering wheel for lane-keep assist and blind-spot collision avoidance systems, providing valuable alerts and enhancing situational awareness. Rear side airbags are also now standard, offering additional protection for all passengers.

Fresh color options: Stand out from the crowd with the new Amazon Gray and Hampton Gray paint colors, available exclusively for the 2024 Tucson Hybrid and PHEV. These unique shades offer a stylish and sophisticated look for your eco-friendly ride.

Trims and Pricing

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid offers a range of trims to suit different needs and budgets. Here's a breakdown of the available trims and their starting prices:

Blue ($33,950): This is the most affordable option, offering the core features of the Tucson Hybrid, including a 1.6L turbocharged engine, electric motor, automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, and a suite of standard safety features.

SEL ($36,530): This trim builds upon the Blue with additional features like heated seats, a sunroof, and a larger touchscreen infotainment system.

N-Line ($38,030): For those seeking a sportier feel, the N-Line offers unique exterior styling cues, sport-tuned suspension, and larger wheels compared to the other trims. While not a full-fledged N car, it adds a touch of excitement to the driving experience.

SEL PHEV ($40,100): This plug-in hybrid (PHEV) trim combines the hybrid powertrain with a larger battery pack, allowing for limited electric-only driving range alongside the combined fuel efficiency of the hybrid system.

Limited ($41,090): The top-of-the-line Limited trim offers the most luxurious experience with features like leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and premium sound system.

Limited PHEV ($46,825): This combines the features of the Limited trim with the PHEV powertrain, offering the ultimate in comfort, technology, and fuel efficiency.

The best hybrid Tucson trim for you depends on your priorities and budget. If you're looking for the most affordable option, the Blue is a good choice. If you want additional features and comfort, the SEL or N-Line might be a better fit. Consider the N-Line if you value a sportier look and feel, while the SEL PHEV offers the benefit of limited electric-only driving range if you have access to charging. The Limited trims are ideal for those seeking the ultimate in luxury and features, with the Limited PHEV combining top-of-the-line features with the benefits of a PHEV powertrain.

Exterior Design

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited exudes a bold and contemporary aesthetic. Its eye-catching design starts with the signature cascading grille, featuring a unique mesh pattern and chrome accents that set the tone for the entire vehicle.

Sharp LED headlights of the hybrid new Tucson flank the grille, adding a touch of sophistication and enhancing nighttime visibility.

Moving along the sides, the Limited trim offers sleek 19-inch alloy wheels with a dynamic design that complements the car's overall athletic stance. Blacked-out roof rails add a touch of sporty flair, while the sculpted character lines along the body create a sense of movement and dynamism.

The rear of the Tucson Hybrid Limited features stylish LED taillights connected by a sleek light bar, further emphasizing the car's modern character. The overall design conveys a sense of refinement and sophistication, making it a compelling choice for those who appreciate a blend of style and practicality.

Interior and Infotinment

Stepping inside the 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid reveals a modern and spacious interior. The uncluttered dashboard features a mix of dark textures and bright accents, housing a digital gauge cluster, a large 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a touch-sensitive climate control panel, and a push-button shifter.

The comfortable cabin offers ample legroom for four adults and offers impressive cargo capacity, holding nine carry-on suitcases behind the second row and expanding to 22 bags with the seats folded down.

While numerous driver-assistance features, including automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist, come standard, additional features like adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist are available.

And look at the huge cargo space this vehicle provides.

The Driver

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is praised for offering a smooth, comfortable, and quiet driving experience. Online reviewers are generally content with the acceleration. It's surprisingly quick.

Handling: The Tucson hybrid has a well-balanced character on the road. It handles corners confidently, offering a stable and predictable feel for most drivers. I would say the body roll is minimal, making it enjoyable to navigate twisty roads.

Highway Cruising: The Tucson Hybrid shines on the highway. The cabin becomes remarkably quiet at higher speeds, thanks to the combination of a well-insulated interior and the electric motor's ability to operate silently. This adds to the overall comfort and refinement of the driving experience.

Let me know your thoughts dear reader about this 2024 Hybrid Tucson review. Do you prioritize fuel efficiency or driving performance in your next car? What features are most important to you in a compact SUV? Based on this review, would you consider the 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited for your next vehicle?

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.