Pros and cons
Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid pros and cons — the honest buyer's verdict (2023)
4 min read·Last updated: 2023-01-01·By ev.care editorial team
TL;DR
4 pros, 3 cons. The Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid is best for north american commuters wanting 33-mile ev range, standard awd, and hyundai 10-year powertrain warranty — within that envelope it is one of the strongest picks in its segment.
Before signing for a Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid, you owe yourself an honest accounting of what works and what doesn't. Hyundai Motor the country's marketing tells you the highs; we collected the 4 strongest selling points alongside the 3 most-cited drawbacks so you can weigh the 53 km range claim against the real-world give-and-take.
Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid — the pros
Here is what the Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid actually does well, in the order that owners tend to mention them. Strength 1 — 33 mi EPA EV range. On the Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 2 — Standard HTRAC AWD. On the Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 3 — 10-year/100,000-mile PHEV warranty. On the Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 4 — Faster Level 2 charging via 7.2 kW onboard. On the Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Anchoring all of this: a 13.8 kWh battery, 53 km range, and a USD 39,000 - 45,000 / CAD 47,000 - 54,000 starting price that defines the Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid's value envelope.
Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid — the cons
These are the drawbacks that come up most often in Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid reviews and owner feedback. Weakness 1 — No DC fast charging. On the Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 2 — Cargo reduced to 31 cu ft. On the Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 3 — Premium fuel preferred. On the Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. For a plug-in hybrid suv weighing 0 kg with 190 km/h top speed, these trade-offs are within segment norms but worth pricing in.
Who the Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid is for
Hyundai Motor pitches the Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid at "North American commuters wanting 33-mile EV range, standard AWD, and Hyundai 10-year powertrain warranty", and that framing holds up. If your driving fits that shape, the pros above land hardest and the cons fade fastest. 53 km of range is enough for most weekly profiles, and Level 2 AC ~2 hr (7.2 kW) of fast charging keep occasional long trips practical.
Practical next steps
Rank the cons in order of how often you'd actually hit them. Most Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid buyers find the headline complaints are once-a-month problems, not once-a-day ones.
Related Hyundai Motor EVs
If the cons above are dealbreakers, look at toyota rav4 prime, kia sportage phev — each makes a different set of trade-offs. The Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid wins more often than not in its tier, but cross-shopping protects you from buying the wrong shape.
Frequently asked questions
- How does the Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid compare to its segment rivals?
- The Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid sits in the middle of its segment on most axes — not the cheapest, not the fastest, not the longest-range. Its win is balance. Rivals that beat it on one axis usually lose on another, so the comparison comes down to which axis you care about most.
- Will the Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid hold its value?
- The Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid depreciates in line with the segment. The pros above are the ones that resale-buyers will also notice, so a well-maintained Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid with documented service history holds value about as well as any EV in this band.
- What's the most common Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid complaint?
- Look at the first item in the cons list above. That's the one owners mention first when ev.care surveys them at the 12-month mark. If you can live with it, the rest tends to fade.
- Should I wait for the next Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid refresh?
- Only if a specific con is a dealbreaker and you have reason to believe the next version fixes it. Otherwise the cost of waiting (lost EV running-cost savings, opportunity cost of an extra year on petrol) usually outweighs the upgrade.
Our verdict — the Hyundai Motor Tucson Plug-in Hybrid earns its place in north american commuters wanting 33-mile ev range, standard awd, and hyundai 10-year powertrain warranty use cases. If your life looks like that, buy with confidence. If it doesn't, cross-shop ruthlessly.