With the arrival of the updated 2025 Hyundai Tucson, the brand has stuck to the age-old adage of if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The SUV has received a minor exterior refresh across the lineup, complete with reworked bumpers at either end, new daytime running lights, an updated grille, and new wheels. Two new infotainment setups across the various trims bring a real improvement over the outgoing model, complemented by new wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The base 2.5-liter engine carries over unchanged, but both hybrids benefit from a slight power and torque bump for the new year.

Vehicle Tested: 2025 Hyundai Tucson Limited AWDBase Price: $41,190As-Tested Price: $41,400Test Location: Detroit, Michigan

How Does It Drive? , What's It Like to Live With?, Should I Buy One?, Highlights and Lowlights

2025 Hyundai Tucson limited rear three quarter view

The Lowdown:

Competition in the compact-SUV segment is fierce, and Hyundai has done the Tucson no favors with its base 2.5-liter powertrain for all front-drive models. The four-cylinder engine provides 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque without assistance from a turbocharger. Those output figures don't arrive until 6100 rpm and 4000 rpm. As a result, the engine requires real revs to get into the useful powerband, which isn't ideal in a 3695-pound family hauler. An eight-speed automatic transmission backs the 2.5-liter across the lineup.

Our test car was equipped with optional all-wheel drive, which is offered on all trims. Hybrid and plug-in powertrains centered around a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder are available, providing 231 hp and 268 hp. All hybrid versions come equipped with all-wheel drive. The entire lineup benefits from a multilink rear-suspension setup, while struts keep things located up front.

More Specs

Powertrain: 2497-cc inline-fourPower: 187 @ 6100 rpmTorque: 178 @ 4000 rpm0-60 mph: 8.8 sec (Car and Driver)Transmission: 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveWeight: 3801 poundsEPA MPG: 24 / 30 / 26 (city / highway / combined)

How Does It Drive?

2025 Hyundai Tucson limited front view shot head on in industrial parking lot

Without the aid of one of the hybrid systems, my Tucson Limited tester was notably lacking in grunt. Car and Driver clocked the car's 0–60-mph performance at 8.8 seconds, and it feels every bit as slow on the road as that figure suggests. I had to get deep into the revs to find the limited power the 2.5-liter provides. Merging onto Detroit's tiny entrance ramps was an anxious, full-throttle affair—not what you want in a near-4000-pound SUV. Of course, I should note the base powertrain's performance isn't an outlier in this segment, where many rivals lack punch. The gas-powered Honda CR-V with AWD posts an 8.1-second 0–6o-mph sprint, and the three-cylinder Bronco Sport comes in at 8.2 seconds.

2025 Hyundai Tucson limited front wheel closeup

The eight-speed automatic gives the SUV lots of ratios to work with, though it's occasionally gruff when swapping between its lower ratios. There are paddles on the wheel if you choose to shift yourself, and these did feel as if they could be from a much more expensive offering. They also proved a useful shortcut to taking control when the gearbox didn't react to my right foot's request for more torque, but they don't add any thrills to the driving experience.

The disappointing engine is a shame, as the rest of the Tucson in Limited AWD spec provides a premium experience for the segment. The MacPherson strut front suspension and multilink rear suspension shared across the lineup provide a comfortable and confident ride, soaking up tarnished pavement without drama. The handling was not exactly what I would describe as joyous—buy a Mazda in this bit of the market for that—but the steering feel was better than I expected to find in a compact crossover.

Once up to speed, the Tucson settles down as a comfortable road companion, one that is quieter than many vehicles at this price point. That was likely helped by the laminated windshield and front windows that come with the Limited trim.

What's It Like to Live With?

2025 Hyundai Tucson limited interior highlight looking over driver's seat

While the exterior tweaks might require a skilled eye to recognize, the interior refresh is front and center of the new Tucson experience. From the layout, material selection, and technology crammed into the SUV, you'd be hard pressed to find a familial relationship with older generations. My test car came equipped with the new dual screen setup, which sees a pair of 12.3-inch displays dominate most of the dash. The screen ahead of the driver serves as a configurable gauge cluster, while the center setup runs the brand's straightforward infotainment. A new head-up display system also provides more useful information.

Wireless connectivity with cellphones worked without any hiccups and made the slick user experience feel easier. Hyundai heard customer complaints about the lack of physical controls for climate and audio and added them back in for 2025. Most adjustments are still made with a haptic panel beneath the infotainment.

The overall design of the interior feels like it could come from a more premium brand and does a lot to enhance the experience. The amount of tech is also quite impressive, including heated first- and second-row seats, with added ventilation for the front seats. There are other niceties too, such as the blind-spot cameras that activate with the turn signal. There's also an audible alert if the car ahead of you pulls away and you don't make any progress, aimed at the more inattentive. The sound system even held up to a post-concert retrospective.

2025 Hyundai Tucson limited front seats shot from drivers door

More than anything, the Tucson is a genuinely nice and comfortable place to spend time, which is exactly what most compact-SUV customers are looking for. Especially those piling on the miles with children in tow. That said, the rear seat room is better suited for the young; I struggled to shove myself in the back behind my own six-foot-three driving position.

Should I Buy One?

2025 Hyundai Tucson limited profile shot against white block building

For buyers who are looking for a comfortable machine loaded with tech to get them from place to place, the Hyundai Tucson will not disappoint. Our Limited AWD test car's optioned price of $41,400 puts it close to the top of the range, surpassed only by the trim's hybrid variant and the two plug-in models. If you can deal with the pokey powertrain, the Limited trappings do make for a premium experience you might not match for the money. The only option to be found on our sticker was carpeted floor mats, which only cost $210. There's real value in that at this price point.

That said, I'd opt for one of the more powerful models, even if that meant dropping back the niceties. The base engine simply doesn't have the oomph to match the bill of goods being sold by the rest of the car. The hybrid models will also improve upon the car's relatively disappointing efficiency, with our tester matching its EPA ratings of 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined.

Highlights and Lowlights

We Love:

Well-crafted interior and classy materials.
Compliant and comfortable ride.
Quiet cabin paired with a solid sound system.

We Don't Love

Underpowered base engine.
Shift-by-wire setup from the EVs.

Favorite Detail:

2025 hyundai tucson highway driver assist button closeup

Hyundai and Kia's Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system is a wonderful companion for the traffic-heavy commute or long highway blast. It is not a true hands-free piloted drive system, but it does combine elements of adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and lane-keeping assist. The system handled heavy traffic around forever-under-repair Detroit highways without much trouble. Combined with the comfortable cabin and easy ride, HDA makes for a less stressful experience. It's not quite as good as it was in our Kia EV6 GT long-termer, however.