Green, Greener, Greenest: A Look at the Hyundai Tucson Powertrain Lineup

Sleek, sophisticated, and surprisingly agile are only a few ways to describe every Hyundai Tucson Hybrid for sale on our lot. Named the 2022 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, the Tucson is one of Hyundai’s top sellers because of its versatility and incredible ability to handle everything life and the road puts in its path. The 2023 Tucson lives up to those expectations, even exceeding them by offering more power than ever without compromising efficiency.

How does Hyundai strike such an incredible balance and give drivers everything they want and more in the Tucson? It all comes back to the SUV’s heartbeat––its engine. Here’s a closer look at the 2023 Tucson’s powertrain lineup and why Canadians will fall in love with this modern marvel.

Three Potent Options: Gas, Hybrid, and Plug-In Hybrid

There’s a significant push in the automotive industry toward electric vehicles, with automakers taking their existing models and giving them the electric treatment. The same is true for Hyundai, and the 2023 Tucson is available as a gas, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid SUV. The gas-powered Tucson is what you already know and are familiar with, but the hybrid combines that familiarity with something new––electric power. The plug-in hybrid takes this a step further, introducing you to a vehicle that can be plugged in to recharge for all-electric performance.

The options are straightforward, but there are a few things to note before we dive into the Tucson’s powertrains. First, a traditional hybrid powertrain isn’t designed to offer an extended electric driving range. In most scenarios, a hybrid will rely on its electric motor for just a few kilometres before engaging the internal combustion engine. While this balance improves efficiency and ensures you can travel further on a tank of fuel, the plug-in hybrid powertrain takes things to the next level because of its larger electric motor and battery that delivers a longer electric range.

Option #1: A Gas-Powered Road Warrior

The 2023 Tucson comes standard with Hyundai’s Theta III Smartstream 2.5L four-cylinder engine and smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission with a SHIFTRONIC Manual Mode. With dual overhead cams, the 2.5L delivers an impressive output of 187 hp at 6,100 RPM and 178 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM. This output makes the 2023 Tucson agile and responsive at any speed.

Hyundai gives you more control over this responsiveness and the Tucson’s handling with Drive Mode Select. The driver-selectable modes include Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport, letting you fine-tune the throttle, steering, and transmission response to optimize engagement, efficiency, or a combination of both with the touch of a button. Fortunately, whatever mode you choose, the 2023 Tucson is remarkably efficient, with FWD models rated for 9.4 L/100 km in the city and 7.4 L/100 km on the highway. All-wheel drive models see a slight increase in fuel consumption, getting an estimated 10.1 L/100 km in the city and 8.3 L/100 km on the highway.

Option #2: A Go-the-Distance Hybrid

For the first time in the Tucson’s history, Hyundai gives drivers a choice between powertrains with the addition of a hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The Tucson Hybrid is a step above the standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine, promising and delivering more power and capability to give drivers a thrilling experience behind the wheel. Officially known as the Gamma II Smartstream 1.6L Turbo engine, the four-cylinder powerhouse is paired with a 59-hp electric motor and a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery. But what does this mean in terms of output?

The 2023 Tucson Hybrid produces significantly more power than its gas sibling, with its hybrid powertrain churning out 226 hp at 5,500 RPM and 258 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 RPM. As a hybrid, torque delivery is almost instantaneous as the six-speed automatic transmission effortlessly shifts gears to match your power needs based on input from the accelerator pedal. Of course, you still benefit from Drive Mode Select, with the hybrid including Eco, Smart, and Sport modes.

Two of the most notable differences between the gas-powered Tucson and the hybrid are drivetrain options and efficiency. The standard Tucson comes standard with front-wheel drive, meaning all-wheel drive is an option that adds to the vehicle's sticker price. Fortunately, that isn’t the case with the Tucson Hybrid, which comes standard with all-wheel drive. Moreover, we see just how significant the hybrid element is in reducing fuel consumption, with the 2023 Tucson Hybrid getting an estimated 6.3 L/100 km in the city and 6.6 L/100 km on the highway, remarkably better than its gas-powered sibling.

Option #3: The Best of Gas and Electricity

The 2023 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid puts drivers a step closer to adopting an all-electric future by combining what’s familiar (an internal combustion engine) with something new (electric power). But doesn’t the Tucson’s hybrid powertrain do the same? Yes and no. Unlike the hybrid, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid offers a significant all-electric driving range, slightly more horsepower, and a bigger battery that can be plugged in to recharge. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s look closer at the PHEV’s output.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid relies on the same Gamma II Smartstream 1.6L Turbo engine as the hybrid but swaps the 59 hp electric motor for a 90 hp motor and the 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery for a 13.8 kWh pack. The change is significant, with the PHEV’s electric system operating at 360 volts with a battery output of 88 kW compared to the hybrid's 270 volts and 64 kW, respectively. So, how does that translate to power delivery?

With a larger electric motor and battery, the Tucson PHEV produces 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of near-instant torque. Like its hybrid sibling, the PHEV comes standard with all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai’s HTRAC All-Wheel Drive system is a distinct advantage since it features multi-terrain control, letting you choose between Snow, Mud, and Sand modes to tailor the Tucson’s handling to the conditions at hand. Moreover, this doesn’t dramatically impact the PHEV’s efficiency as it is rated for 6.7 L/100 km combined and 2.9 Le/100 km when running purely on its electric motor and taking advantage of its 53 km all-electric driving range.

Refuelling and Recharging

When you look strictly at the numbers and packaging, the Tucson Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid have a clear advantage over the gas-powered model. However, that isn’t to say that the standard Tucson, with its fuel-sipping engine, isn’t engaging or fun to drive. You simply enjoy more of that engagement and responsiveness with the hybrid powertrains. But what else should you consider?

Think about the value of investing in a vehicle with all-wheel drive. With the Canadian climate, driving conditions can quickly fluctuate from torrential downpours to sleet and snow. Hyundai makes all-wheel drive standard on the Tucson Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid, meaning you have all-season confidence wherever the road takes you.

The final thing to consider is refuelling and recharging. The Tucson and Tucson Hybrid don't require any second thoughts. Instead, you simply refill their gas tanks like usual. However, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid requires an extra step because of its larger battery. In addition to stopping for fuel, you’ll need to plug in the Tucson PHEV overnight to recharge the battery. Fortunately, the process is as easy as recharging your smartphone and works with a 120-volt or 240-volt outlet in your garage.

Which Will You Choose?

What will you choose? Will you drive home in the gas-powered Tucson or enjoy the many benefits of the Tucson Hybrid? Perhaps your heart is set on the Tucson PHEV as you look forward to getting behind the wheel and taking the next step to a greener, electrified future. Whatever you decide, you’ve already chosen the best with Hyundai.