2025 Hyundai Tucson Tech Prioritizes Driver Safety

Hyundai's refreshed 2025 Tucson SUV will have an updated appearance inside and out, plus safety tech and features geared toward enhanced driver comfort. The automaker unveiled the model at the New York International Auto Show.

What's New with the Exterior Styling

Starting off with the exterior, the 2025 Tucson has revised styling with a new grille, redesigned front and rear bumper fascia, and an updated daytime running light signature. New alloy wheels, anodized aluminum badging, and a 75-mm longer rear wiper blade for improved visibility round out these changes, according to a news release.

Tucson's daytime running light signature has been simplified from ten lighting areas to eight larger units. New bridge-type raised roof side rails add capability and ruggedness to the outdoors-oriented XRT.

A Look at the Redesigned Interior

The 2025 Tucson's interior has a more open-feeling design and a higher-tech infotainment interface. The interface incorporates a redesigned panoramic curved display that integrates an available 12.3-in. digital instrument cluster and an enlarged 12.3-in. infotainment display.

The center console, steering wheel, and door panel accents have also been redesigned. A new dashboard tray located above the glovebox adds more storage space.

On premium models with shift-by-wire function, the transmission is now controlled by a column-mounted gear selector, creating more usable space in the center console area.

The HVAC system now adds automatic fan ventilation after A/C system shutdown to help reduce condensation and odors caused by excessive humidity.

Technology Upgrades on the 2025 Tuscon

For 2025, the new Tucson can now make convenient updates to various vehicle systems, including powertrain, safety, multimedia, and mapping systems (when equipped with navigation) via over-the-air (OTA) updates.

Tucson's available integrated memory system includes both power driver's seat and outside mirror settings for greater convenience.

A new 12-in. color Head-Up Display (HUD) with premium graphics is also available. The HUD even displays turn-by-turn directions via CarPlay and Android Auto when equipped with the onboard navigation system. 

A newly available fingerprint authentication sensor on the instrument cluster provides a new level of security and convenience. Its biometric authentication can allow the driver to securely start and drive the Tucson without a smart key.

Tucson's proximity-key entry with push-button start is now standard, while available Digital Key 2 Premium provides convenient, key-fob-free vehicle access. This system allows door locking, unlocking, and vehicle engine start all without needing to take your phone out of your pocket using Bluetooth Low Energy, Advanced NFC, and Ultra-Wideband technologies.

All Hyundai Bluelink+ services are now offered complimentary with purchase.With Bluelink+ key safety and maintenance features, such as Auto Collision Assistance, SOS Assistance, Remote Diagnostics, Maintenance Reminders, over-the-air ECU updates and convenient vehicle remote features are available with no trial period, and for the life of the supporting technology and 4G LTE network.

Hyundai Pay, which enables paying for parking and fueling from inside the vehicle is available, as is a WiFi hotspot that can connect a total of five devices at once for full-family connectivity.

Enhanced Driver Safety Tech Features

For 2025, Tucson adds Forward Attention Warning (FAW), which utilizes an infrared camera mounted on the steering column to help track the driver's eye gaze and monitor attention levels to help ensure safe driving.

Available Smart Cruise Control 2 continually assesses driver alertness. If the driver is found to be unresponsive, the system can even help safely bring the vehicle to a stop, activating the hazard lights and the electronic parking brake once the vehicle is stopped.

Additionally, rear outboard passenger seatbelts now feature standard pretensioners and load limiters.

What's Under the Hood

The 2025 Tucson offers a Smartstream 2.5-liter, direct-injected and multi-port-injected gasoline engine as well as available 1.6-liter, direct-injected, turbocharged hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

The Smartstream 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine has a 187 hp at 6,100 rpm and 178 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm thanks to high-efficiency combustion. The eight-speed automatic transmission mated to the standard 2.5-liter engine provides quick shifts for an efficient driving experience.

2025 Tucson hybrid and plug-in models now offer driver-adjustable levels of regenerative braking for improved control and comfort.

The Hybrid powertrain's 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine produces an estimated 178 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque, with an estimated 231 total hybrid system horsepower. This hybrid system also produces a total estimated 258 lb.-ft. of torque thanks to a 47.7-kW electric motor (formerly 44.2 kW) and a 1.49-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

Tucson Hybrid delivers its power through a specially tuned six-speed automatic transmission for smooth, quiet, and efficient performance.

Tucson Hybrid models feature Hyundai's e-Motion technology, which precisely applies electric motor torque control according to dynamic inputs and road conditions to improve cornering performance for heightened driver confidence.

Plug-In Hybrid models feature a high-output 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct-injected four coupled with a specially tuned six-speed automatic transmission and a more powerful 72.0-kW electric motor (increased from 66.9 kW).

Plug-in Hybrid total system output is rated at a robust 268 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. The Plug-In Hybrid battery is larger than the Hybrid pack, offering 13.8 kWh of lithium-ion power. Level 2 AC charging takes fewer than two hours to recharge the PHEV's battery using its 7.2-kW onboard charger.

2025 Tucson 2.5L models will arrive at U.S. dealerships in June, while 1.6L turbo hybrid and plug-in hybrid models will be available late summer.