New Hyundai Tucson Gets a Bigger Battery and New Hybrid System

Hyundai has revealed the new Tucson Plug-in Hybrid, adding a more advanced hybrid system and a bigger battery to its latest global SUV. The fifth-generation Tucson will be offered internationally with petrol, mild-hybrid, full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The new Tucson Plug-in Hybrid has been developed mainly for European markets and will be sold there in a short-wheelbase version. It gets a revised electric motor setup, a larger battery and all-wheel drive as standard.

Bigger 17.1kWh Battery

The new Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid gets a 17.1kWh battery pack, which is significantly larger than the 13.8kWh unit used in the previous model. Hyundai is targeting an electric-only range of up to 81km under the WLTP test cycle. The outgoing model had a claimed electric range of 67-70km in FWD form and 63km with AWD. The larger battery should allow the new Tucson to cover more daily driving on electric power before the petrol engine needs to intervene. However, the additional battery capacity also adds weight to the SUV.

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New Hybrid System With Two Electric Motors

The new Tucson PHEV continues with a 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder petrol engine, but its electric motor setup has been revised. It now uses P1 and P2 electric motors. The new P1 motor replaces the previous P0 belt-driven motor and is integrated into the transmission. The P1 motor produces 13kW (17hp) and is used to start the petrol engine and generate electricity. It can also assist the engine when additional power is needed. The P2 motor continues to handle propulsion and regenerative braking. It produces 79kW (106hp), the same output as in the outgoing model.

292PS and Standard AWD

The new Tucson Plug-in Hybrid develops a combined 292PS and 380Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through a mechanical all-wheel-drive system. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. The SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds. This is slightly slower than the outgoing model, which completed the same sprint in 7.5 seconds in FWD form and 7.6 seconds with AWD. Despite the higher combined output, the new model is expected to be slower due to the larger and heavier battery pack.

No DC Fast Charging

The new Hyundai Tucson PHEV does not get DC fast charging. Like the previous model, it can only be charged using an AC charger. The maximum charging input remains at 7.2kW. Hyundai has not yet revealed the charging time for the new model, although it is expected to take longer than the outgoing SUV due to its larger battery. The previous Tucson PHEV could charge from 10 to 100 percent in around 1 hour and 42 minutes using its maximum AC charging capability.

New Tucson Gets Two Body Sizes

Hyundai has developed the fifth-generation Tucson in short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase versions. Europe will receive the short-wheelbase version. The short-wheelbase Tucson measures 4,560mm long, 1,900mm wide and 1,670mm tall, with a 2,720mm wheelbase. It is 35mm longer and 35mm wider than the previous model, while the height has increased by 20mm. The wheelbase is also 40mm longer. The long-wheelbase version measures 4,700mm in length, 1,905mm in width and 1,685mm in height. Its wheelbase measures 2,785mm.

Hyundai Tucson India Launch Unlikely

The new fifth-generation Tucson is being developed for global markets, but Hyundai has no plans to bring this latest C-SUV to India. The new Tucson Plug-in Hybrid will therefore remain a global model, particularly aimed at markets where Hyundai is expanding its electrified SUV line-up. With petrol, mild-hybrid, full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, the latest Tucson is also positioned to take on models such as the Toyota RAV4.

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