2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Review

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid offers plenty of features, a huge cargo area, and low fuel consumption, placing it among the top choices in the segment.

Considering the average purchase price of a new vehicle is hovering around the $60,000 mark, the mid-range N Line trim — which happens to be the cheapest way to get this hybrid powertrain — is significantly cheaper. While hybrids like this one from Toyota and Honda have proven popular, the gas-electric Tucson makes a compelling case of its own.

Styling 8 / 10

The Tucson is easily among the most eye-catching crossovers out there. While the overall look may not be for everyone, it certainly stands out more than the likes of the Honda CR-V or Nissan Rogue. I’m a little put off by the strong lines that crisscross the doors, but then I happen to like the busy grille design with its integrated signal and daytime running lights.

The Tucson N Line has unique embroidered logos on its front seats and a suede-like upholstery throughout the cabin. There are storage shelves integrated within the dashboard and plenty of space for small items. Hyundai moved the gear selector to the steering column and really expanded the practicality of the interior overall.

Despite the two large screens that span the dash — plus a touch panel down below for climate control — there are physical buttons for audio and infotainment adjustment, and they don’t look out of place. In terms of design and interface, the Tucson gets top marks for being more expressive than other automakers.

Safety 7 / 10

While the Tucson won the Top Safety Pick+ award from the not-for-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) each of the last three years, it wasn’t up to the standards of the agency’s updated testing regimen for 2026. However, it earned a five-star rating from the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

There’s plenty of advanced safety equipment, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, and forward collision avoidance with pedestrian and cyclist detection. The top Tucson Ultimate Hybrid offers even more driver assistance features, including an updated highway driving assist and parking sensors, as well as camera-based blind-spot monitoring that provides a live look at either side of the vehicle when the corresponding signal is activated.

I had some difficulty installing a rear-facing child seat using the lower anchors, as it felt like the anchors were a bit deep in the seat, and the seat bottom and back were very pinched together, making it hard to squeeze my clips to the anchors.

Features 8 / 10

The major talking point with this 2026 Hyundai Tucson is just how many features it offers, even in the N Line trim. Exterior features include gorgeous 19-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers, and a power tailgate. Meanwhile, there are heated front seats and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. There’s also dual-zone climate control, a massive panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charger, eight-speaker stereo, and plenty of USB ports.

The Tucson feels very modern with its two 12.3-inch screens, the one in the middle offering touch functionality. It includes Android Auto or Apple CarPlay functionality, while the Ultimate trim has built-in navigation, fingerprint recognition for starting the vehicle without a key, memory settings for the driver’s seat, and ventilation for both chairs up front.

User-Friendliness 8 / 10

It's clear someone at Hyundai was thinking about who and how people are using their vehicles when introducing — and improving — the Tucson. The change to a column-mounted gear selector may throw some for a loop, as there’s a short relearning process before it feels like second nature to twist it forward for drive and backwards for reverse, and push the button for park. The way this move opens up the area between the front seats is impressive.

In general, the Tucson excels in terms of providing information in an easy-to-understand way. While the infotainment screen is responsive, there was an occasion during this test when the wireless smartphone projection system wouldn’t work without deleting and re-pairing my phone. Otherwise, I’m happy to call the experience mostly user-friendly. The Tucson is easy to get in and out of, loading cargo is easy, and outward visibility is good. The mandatory back-up camera could be better, but improved surround-view cameras come with the Ultimate trim.

Practicality 8 / 10

It’s hard to find a compromise when it comes to interior space. There’s plenty of passenger space, and while installing a rear-facing car seat was a bit tedious, it didn’t force me to move the front passenger seat to an uncomfortable degree.

Cargo room is plentiful, with 1,097 L of space with the rear seats upright. If you want more, the seats fold down in a 60/40 split, offering a total of 2,108 L of space. That’s more than what’s offered by similarly sized crossovers like the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Subaru Forester Hybrid, although the Toyota RAV4 that’s now hybrid-only has more. Meanwhile, the Tucson Hybrid is rated to tow 907 kg (2,000 lb).

Comfort 8 / 10

In addition to being practical, the Tucson is also comfortably spacious. The front and rear seats offer a good amount of head- and legroom, and I didn’t struggle too much putting a wriggly toddler into his car seat.

I noticed the cabin reached temperature quickly during this wintertime test, and I appreciated the multiple settings for the heated steering wheel. There’s also a driver-only mode for the climate system, which is nice when driving solo.

Power 8 / 10

Under the hood is a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder engine that’s matched with an electric motor to deliver a combined 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission rather than a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) like other hybrids. Like nearly every hybrid crossover on the market these days, the Tucson features all-wheel drive, and there are a variety of terrain modes to increase confidence in slippery conditions or inclement weather.

The powertrain is responsive and energetic, which hybrids aren’t typically known for, as automakers typically tune them to prioritize efficiency over performance. The Tucson is enthusiastic off the line and when passing, and though the engine can produce a buzz when stressed, it’s not too bad compared to other hybridized four-cylinders on the market. The gas engine is also quick to shut off to save fuel.

Driving Feel 7 / 10

On the go, the Tucson Hybrid feels nice and accommodating. While it defaults to the fuel-saving eco drive mode upon startup, there’s also a sport mode and a customizable one to choose from, as well as those terrain modes. One interesting option within the custom settings is a “baby mode,” which is designed to smooth out acceleration and deceleration as much as possible to ensure serene motoring and not disrupt a baby’s nap, or hopefully help lull them to sleep.

I found the brakes required a bit more pedal travel before biting, and felt a bit mushy. While body roll is nicely controlled, I wouldn’t dare suggest this crossover is a sporty companion on a winding road.

Fuel Economy 7 / 10

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is rated to burn 6.7 L/100 km in city, highway, and combined driving scenarios. That’s slightly more than the combined rating of the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Toyota RAV4, which both have less power and use CVTs.

Unfortunately, due to winter tires and weather to match during this test, I couldn’t get down to that level. But I frequently saw fuel consumption in the range of 7.5 L/100km, which isn’t bad considering the conditions

Value 8 / 10

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson N Line Hybrid is priced at $45,849 before tax but including freight ($2,050). That’s less than the starting price of the Honda CR-V Hybrid and similar to the Toyota RAV4 XLE. Meanwhile, the Tucson Ultimate Hybrid is $49,849 before tax.

The Verdict

The compact crossover segment is full of great options for shoppers, but when you whittle it down to fuel-saving hybrids, the list is shorter and gets expensive. If you’re after a fuel-friendly crossover that won’t tank your budget, the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is an easy choice. Not only is it affordable, but it's powerful, spacious, and loaded with features. If the exterior design doesn’t scream overstyled to you, then it should be at the top of the list.