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Caraganza Review 2022 Hyundai Tucson XRT: The more things change

To say a lot has changed since 2019 might be the understatement of this young century. The last time I had a week with a Hyundai Tucson was in August of 2019. These were the days prior to pandemics, lockdowns, and economic downturns. Heck, it even seemed we all got along better.

But my how the times have changed.

I, like many people, haven’t been to an office on a regular basis in almost two years. In fact, I don’t even have an office anymore. That hasn’t been the only change of course: We still order just about everything online; most of us have been jabbed with needles several times, and American are acting more like disgruntled kindergarteners facing off on a playground during recess.

The changes came to Hyundai as well.

For 2022 Hyundai made some changes. At least to the Tucson.

The 2019 Tucson I spent a week with in the “before times” was a small SUV that felt bigger than it was, and a good value as well. That 2019 model was part of the third generation introduced in 2016 and overall, I thought it was good, very good in fact, if just a little underpowered.

Welcome to 2022 and the fourth Tucson generation. The small SUV was redesigned for this model year as have other models like the smaller Venue and the larger three-row Palisade. Like the others the Tucson gets Hyundai’s “Sensuous Sportiness design identity” with what the Hyundai designers call ‘Parametric Dynamics.’

Not sure what all that means, but it does look ‘edgier’ than the 2019 model.

In 2019 the lineup consisted of six levels: the SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited and Ultimate trim with two gas engines. Now it’s eight trim levels with three engines offered. Four, the SE, SEL, N Line, XRT and Limited get a good old fashioned gas engines. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) have three trims: Blue Hybrid, SEL Convenience Hybrid and Limited Hybrid.

I had to admit that I was a bit worried before I actually saw the 2022.  But I was nicely surprised; the new for 2022 XRT trim is off-road themed and sits just below the top of the line. It gets 19-inch black painted wheels, black accents, side steps, roof rails, and a tow hitch. I thought the look was great, but…

One of the bigger things I liked in the 2019 was the roomy interior. it made it seem like the small SUV wasn’t really all that small. Turns out the redesign hasn’t changed a thing inside. In fact, specs show there is actually a bit more room. And being near the top of the line the XRT is loaded with a nice list of standard in-car tech and driver aids. There’s also proximity keyless entry, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, a hands-free liftgate, wireless charging pad, auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a touchscreen in the atop the center stack, and a digital dashboard, while the driver’s aids get blind-spot monitor with intervention, and adaptive cruise control.

Okay then.

There was one final issue I had with the 2019, though a small one, pun intended. In 2019 the engines offered were the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (164 horsepower, 151 pound-feet of torque) and a 2.4-liter engine (181 hp, 175 lb.-ft). Both engines were paired to a six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive was standard on all trims, and all-wheel drive optional.

For 2022, only one pure gas engine is available, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horses and 178 lb.-ft of torque. In perhaps a further demonstration of just how much the world has changed, the other two powerplants are a hybrid with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (227 combined horses) and the plug-in hybrid with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (261 total horsepower). The gas engine can be had with front- or all-wheel drive and uses an eight-speed automatic, while the hybrids come standard with all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission.

Back in 2019 the 2.4 liter I had for my week delivered a ‘boring and uninspired’ drive. The 2022 with 6 more ponies, sadly, was the same. However, I suspect that hybrid with more horses would be just right.

That being said, for what it is the Tucson is a great little SUV. If shopping I would surely have to compare it to its larger cousin the Santa Fe, and given the interior room afforded by the Tucson, a final decision might be a bit of a challenge.

In the two years since I had a Tucson, much has changed. That includes this small SUV from Hyundai. And while they didn’t really add much under the hood with the pure gasoline engine, the power coming from the hybrids should sway buyers to take a look at those options; I know for me, that would make all the difference in the world.

The 2023 PHEV Limited.

2023 UPDATE: Hyundai sent me a 2023 PHEV Limited for a recent week. For 2023 there were only minor overall changes mainly now adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and a speed limit assist feature have become standard on all trims.

While I’m okay with hybrids and full-on electrics, I’m still not sure of the usefulness of one that combines both. The PHEV is powered by a 1.6 liter turbocharged inline-four engine and a front motor that gives the plug-in hybrid models their go, which Hyundai says is good for a combined 261 horses. It uses a 13.8-kWh battery pack that delivers an EPA-estimated 33 miles of electric-only driving. A 7.2-kW onboard charger can fully recharge the battery in about two hours when connected to a Level 2 charging station. One of which I now have at my house so there’s that.

I’m not sure why someone would want only 33 miles of all-electric driving, but I guess it could be useful if you don’t go very far. And of course, here in Florida the engine would constantly kick in to run the AC.

However, if someone wants to pay about $12,000 more to help save the earth and wants to shell out $46,095 for the PHEV, well there you go, enjoy.

2024 UPDATE: Hyundai added new safety features like all-occupant seatbelt reminders, rear side airbags, and steering-wheel haptic feedback for 2024. The 10.3-inch touchscreen is now standard on SEL Convenience, XRT, and Limited trims while SEL trims and up have dual automatic temperature control with an auto-defogging function. I had a week recently with the N-Line trim which is now only available on the hybrid model with the turbocharged 1.6-liter hybrid powertrain.

The N-Line gets most of the features from the SEL but adds special 19-inch alloy wheels, sport themed trim, sport front seats, a panoramic sunroof and a Bose premium audio system. My tester for the week topped out at an MSRP of $38,400. In the world where we are increasingly shunning all gas engines, I preferred this hybrid over the PHEV I had the year before, and it’s also a lot less money, so there’s that.

2025 UPDATE: The 2025 Hyundai Tucson has gotten a bit of a style update, sporting a freshened grille, tweaked bumpers, and snazzy new wheels. Inside, Hyundai has ditched the old infotainment setup in favor of a sleek, dual-screen display on most trims—one for gauges, one for infotainment—all housed in a single, very modern-looking frame. Base models get a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with good old-fashioned analog gauges, but no complaints there. The climate control panel has been reworked, and the steering wheel has been given a new look, because why not?

More importantly, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard across the lineup, so no more fumbling with cords like it’s 2018. There’s also a new driver drowsiness monitoring system, presumably to prevent you from nodding off during particularly dull road trips.

I spent a week with the 2025 Tucson Limited AWD, which builds on the SEL and Convenience package with all the good stuff—ventilated front seats (a must in summer), leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats, and some clever tech like a blind-spot camera, surround-view system, and parking collision avoidance assist. In other words, Hyundai took an already solid SUV and made it smarter, sleeker, and just a little bit fancier. And, of course, a bit pricier, the MSRP for my 2025 Limited AWD was $41,400.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson XRT AWD
MSRP: $33,350
MSRP (as tested): $34,840
Engine: 2.5-liter 4 cylinder 187 horsepower @ 6100 rpm, 178 lb.-ft torque @ 4000 rpm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Base Curb Weight: 3494 lbs.
Fuel Mileage (EPA): 24 city, 29 highway, 26 combined
Fuel Mileage (as tested): 31 mpg

Exterior Dimensions (Inches)
Wheelbase: 108.5
Length, Overall: 182.3
Width, Max w/o mirrors: 73.4
Height, Overall: 65.6

Interior Dimensions
Passenger Capacity: 5
Passenger Volume (cu. ft.): 108.2
Front Head Room (in.): 40.1
Front Leg Room (in.): 41.4
Front Shoulder Room (in.): 57.6
Front Hip Room (in.): 54.5
Second Head Room (in.) :39.5
Second Leg Room (in.): 41.3
Second Shoulder Room (in.): 56
Second Hip Room (in.): 53.9
Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (cu. ft.): 80.3
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (cu. ft.): 38.7
Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (cu. ft.): 38.7

Warranty
5 Basic Years / 60,000 Basic Miles
10 Drivetrain Years / 100,000 Drivetrain Miles
7 Corrosion Years / Unlimited Corrosion Miles
10 Hybrid/Electric Components Years / 100,000 Hybrid/Electric Components Miles
5 Roadside Assistance Years / Unlimited Roadside Assistance Miles
3 Maintenance Years / 36,000 Maintenance Mile

Greg Engle
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