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The 2022 Hyundai Tucson has received a makeover. Is it just another pretty face, or are there more positive things underneath?
What’s New for the 2022 Hyundai Tucson
When Hyundai says the Tucson is all-new, they mean all new. From what we can see, everything has changed – and it’s changed for the better. Let’s start on the outside. Although some may disagree, we think the exterior makes the Tucson one of Hyundai’s most exciting models. The angles and geometric designs on the Tucson are striking.
Yes, it still has an SUV profile, but you won’t be mistaking it for any other compact SUV on the highway. We like the way Hyundai has integrated the running lights and turn signals in the grille and, though we’re not always a fan, the headlight pod works here in an Audi type of way. Hyundai still has a bit of that Audi inspiration hanging around in different areas.
We were also happy that the interior has an even more significant makeover. Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s spend some time in each area of this much improved 2022 Hyundai Tucson. Is it just another pretty face, or are there more positive things underneath?
2022 Hyundai Tucson – hyundaiusa.com | Shop 2022 Hyundai Tucson on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
The new design looks great
Its update interior is a plus
Updated technology and features
It offers a nice controlled ride
The powertrain is weak
Possibly a sport-oriented option
2022 Hyundai Tucson Specs
- 0-60 mph in 8.7 seconds
- 187 horsepower from base engine
- 178 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 32.5 cu-ft of cargo space
- 75.7 cu-ft of cargo space with seats down
- Towing capacity of 2,700 lbs
- Standard 8-inch touchscreen
- Standard safety features
- Free Maintenance for 3 years/36,000 miles
2022 Hyundai Tucson Powertrain
For all of its aggressive new angles and sporty-looking design, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson lets us down a bit on the non-hybrid engine front. Even though it has 20 more horsepower than last year’s Tucson, the 187 horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder won’t wow you with torque.
The good thing about horsepower is that it will provide some much-needed passing ability on the highway. If you’re yearning for more, and with a bonus of better gas mileage, the turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder hybrid has a combined 226 horsepower. You also get standard all-wheel-drive on the hybrid. The HTRAC all-wheel-drive system distributes torque between the front and rear wheels. There’s no mention of front or rear bias, but we’re guessing it’s a front-wheel drive until you need the rear wheels. Like most AWD systems, you get to choose between Normal, Sport, Smart, and Snow modes.
To us, the hybrid option feels quicker than the standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with more readily available torque as well. Some acceleration tests have shown a 0-60 mph difference of 8.7 seconds for the 2.5-liter and 7.4 seconds for the hybrid. Regardless of the engine, the smooth-shifting 6-speed transmission is fitted to both versions, and you’ll love that it never draws attention to itself.
Hyundai doesn’t say, but we would guess the 2022 Hyundai Tucson has a stiffer frame. It doesn’t pass along vibrations and noise like the 2021 model had. Overall, everything has a very put together feel and the steering feels properly heavy, adding to the perception of solidity. Hyundai did an excellent job balancing an SUV ride with some sport-oriented character in the suspension. Body roll in corners and a lack of bouncing around on bumps will give you the feeling of a more sedan-like control. Very nice.
If you look past the stylized exterior and remember that this is an SUV, you’ll be more than pleased with its drivability. While the Tucson is no sports car, its handling is confident, its steering is reasonably crisp, and its ride is agreeable.
Towing & Payload
Good luck looking through Hyundai’s website for towing specs of the 2022 Tucson. It’s a challenge, but we finally found that the 2022 Hyundai Tucson can tow 2,000 pounds. We know you most likely will not be hooking up a tow hitch, but it does give you the option to pull a little something if you wanted.
2022 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Economy & MPG
Your fuel economy depends on the engine. With the 2.5-liter, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson can get an EPA estimated combined 29 mpg with front-wheel drive and 26 mpg with AWD. With some reasonable driving manners, you could get up to 450 miles on a full tank.
For the hybrid, the Tucson receives an EPA rating of 37 mpg combined. And remember, that’s with the standard all-wheel-drive. The Tucson hybrid will gift you with an impressive 500 miles before you need to fill up.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The 2022 Hyundai Tucson’s interior is a giant leap up from the previous Tucson. Fabrics, plastics, and leather feel like they’re much higher quality. Even the dash that wraps around the doors shows more thought into the minor details.
The proximity key to get into the vehicle is a nice touch and we’re happy to see the leather seats on the Limited. Leather is standard on the Limited, and cloth upholstery is standard on every other trim, although the SEL has optional leather. Though we agree that the seats are comfortable, the bottom cushions seem flatter and less form-fitting than the previous Hyundai Tucson. However, it’s personal preference I guess, and you may enjoy the roomy feel.
We all want to carry things when we get a SUV, and cargo space for the 2022 Tucson has grown nearly 20 percent from the previous model year. Hyundai volunteers that the cargo room is even bigger than what you get in the Santa Fe. If you walk up to the touchless operated rear hatch (no leg swinging here), it opens up to 38.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats. If you lay those seats down flat with the rear seat release, you get 74.8 cubic feet of carrying space.
2022 Hyundai Tucson Entertainment & Technology
The 2022 Hyundai Tucson SE has an 8-inch screen that looks great – until we saw the Limited’s interior with its 10.25-inch touchscreen. It doesn’t have the same sweeping horizontal look as the Palisade, but it’s a fantastic-looking and easy to operate infotainment system. We liked the vertical waterfall screen, loved the new nature soundscapes, and more things you shouldn’t be checking out if you’re the driver. But be sure to dig into all the features this system offers when you’re safely parked.
Unfortunately, you also lose some buttons on the larger screen and HVAC area, so it’s all touch. We find this style in other manufacturers, but believe they should leave touch-only systems to iPads and phones. We know it looks better with a smooth surface, but a few knobs would help with some basic functions. After having the 2022 Hyundai Tucson for a bit, you’d eventually grow accustomed to the lack of buttons, but it’ll a challenge at first and not always the quickest way to get things done.
Regardless of the trim, you get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. One of the more bizarre things is the 8-inch screen exclusively gets wireless CarPlay. This is a feature generally reserved for higher price trims. For 10-inch screen models, we hear that Hyundai is pushing an over-the-air software update for that function, but you have to wire up in the meantime. It’s good that you have two USB ports in the front and an extra two in the back on upper trim models.
Safety Features
Hyundai has done an excellent job in providing excellent standard safety for every level of the 2022 Tucson. Unlike other automakers, you don’t have to pay big money on upper-level trims for the best equipment. Hyundai includes standard driver-attention monitoring, lane-keeping assist, lead-vehicle-departure sensing, and forward-collision avoidance in most of their models.
2022 Hyundai Tucson Trims & Pricing
SE – $26,135
The 2022 Hyundai SE comes with LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a more potent than last year 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower. There’s an optional all-wheel drive to help you with all-weather car control and off-road trips if you choose. Inside, you an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a standard driver attention system.
SEL – $27,685
Moving to the SEL brings you the extra bling of LED taillights, roof side rails, heated body-color side mirrors with embedded turn signal indicators, and the protection of a safe exit warning on doors. Inside, the 2022 Hyundai Tuscon SEL adds a proximity key with push-button start, heated front power-adjustable seats, and auto up/down power windows. You also get extra’s like two rear USB ports and 2nd row HVAC outlets. Safety items include a blind-spot monitoring system, a rear cross-traffic assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Limited – $35,885
The Hyundai Limited is the luxury and technological hero of the bunch. The exterior sets you apart with its dark chrome grille and trim with projector-beam LED headlamps. Inside, you get a beautiful Mercedes-Esque 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display and an in-dash 10.25-inch instrument display with a navigation system. Other standard features include the panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel, and standard leather seats. You get a surround-view monitor, front and rear parking sensors, and Hyundai’s innovative blind-spot view monitor for extra safety.
Warranties
Hyundai continues their 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, a 7-year/unlimited miles anti-perforation warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited miles 24-hour roadside assistance. They also include free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first on the 2022 Hyundai Tucson. Bravo Hyundai.
What we think
2022 Hyundai Tucson – hyundaiusa.com | Shop 2022 Hyundai Tucson on Carsforsale.com
Our first view of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson was in the press kit, and we thought it looked strange at first with all its angles. Seeing it out on the road now has changed our mind – it’s a beauty. Thankfully, Hyundai didn’t spend all the design budget on the outside, because the interior is just as beautiful. We know the Tucson is Hyundai’s best seller, and we, like others, would love to add it to our garage.
