{"id":1408,"date":"2025-05-24T04:00:01","date_gmt":"2025-05-24T11:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/?p=1408"},"modified":"2025-05-24T04:00:01","modified_gmt":"2025-05-24T11:00:01","slug":"hyundai-tucson-ultimate-1-6t-plug-in-hybrid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/?p=1408","title":{"rendered":"Hyundai Tucson Ultimate 1.6T Plug-in Hybrid"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"main\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"hydrate-root sc-10wlkbs-0\" data-component=\"SupportNSCNative\" data-loading=\"lazy\" data-theme-name=\"base\">\n<aside class=\"sc-hez36s-0 cGmNxG\">\n<div class=\"sc-hez36s-1 iqSitv\">\n<h3 data-testid=\"support-nsc-title\" class=\"sc-hez36s-2 dlmCG\">Your support helps us to tell the story<\/h3>\n<div class=\"sc-hez36s-8 igdyzJ\">\n<div class=\"sc-hez36s-13 cPkZJS\">\n<div class=\"sc-aja53j-0 fGzMFb sc-hez36s-16 fJelbS\">\n<div class=\"sc-aja53j-6 fiXggt\">\n<div data-testid=\"dropdown-with-gradient-collapsed-content-container\" class=\"sc-aja53j-5 eSVQSf\">\n<div>\n<div data-testid=\"dropdown-with-gradient-collapsed-content\" class=\"sc-aja53j-4 cDGSNR\">\n<div>\n<div data-testid=\"support-nsc-collapsed-content-tablet\" class=\"sc-hez36s-7 kxbAkl\">\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 kGYWZt\">From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it&#8217;s investigating the financials of Elon Musk&#8217;s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, &#8216;The A Word&#8217;, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 kGYWZt\">At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 kGYWZt\">The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"sc-1uza6dc-1 eXohla\">Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button class=\"sc-aja53j-1 hHATii sc-aja53j-7 jikgMc\"><span data-testid=\"dropdown-with-gradient-dropdown-tablet\" class=\"sc-aja53j-3 gFogGN\"><span data-action-type=\"Read more\" class=\"sc-aja53j-2 frlkrE\">Read more<\/span><svg class=\"sc-eaj12q-0 gggykT sc-culv3z-0 jLhHRc sc-a5wy94-0 lbKISR\"><use href=\"#ee6613da15642019\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"big-letter\">S<\/span>o here I am again at the wheel of another plug-in hybrid SUV automobile and I may well wonder \u201cwell, how did I get here?\u201d Unlike the Talking Heads\u2019 whimsical answers to their famous existential question, the answer to my conundrum is, first, the Hyundai press office and, second and third, fashion and fiscal incentives. I know what I\u2019m doing, you know. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re talking specifically here about a Hyundai Tucson Ultimate 1.6 plug-in hybrid with a six-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive. It\u2019s a fine but flawed car. The finery is immediately apparent. Although the model has been around for about five years now, it\u2019s recently been treated to what the car trade terms a \u201crefresh\u201d and used to be known as a facelift, which sounded a bit too disparaging and, well, honest. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s the fourth generation of a car that\u2019s been steadily growing in stature, in both senses, and popularity over the past two decades ago, and is now a top 10 seller in the UK, just ahead of the Mini Cooper and not far behind the Peugeot 2008 and its highly capable rival, the Nissan Qashqai. In fact, they\u2019ve made seven million in all since 2004, which, albeit in a quiet and understated manner, speaks for itself. <\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-482ou5-2 hCNBSR sc-482ou5-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 hXrpsW\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"3\" class=\"sc-482ou5-0 ijNrEv\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/23\/14\/40\/Hyundai-3.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/23\/14\/40\/Hyundai-3.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/23\/14\/40\/Hyundai-3.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The car has a six-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 QHifS inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/p>\n<p><button class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-0 fsbheq inline-gallery-btn\" id=\"trigger-autogallery-188731\"><span class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-1 jEeRhv\">open image in gallery<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 kBlcBC kIlksO\">The car has a six-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 hAhJPR\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Hyundai<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>I can\u2019t say I\u2019m surprised. The quality feels pretty good, approaching \u201cpremium\u201d standards, and, being a product of South Korean origins (and also built in the Czech Republic), this revised version has excellent electronics \u2013 a wide touchscreen that runs about halfway across the dash, advanced infotainment system, voice recognition controls, head-up display, full connectivity, \u201cover the air\u201d software updates, and its very own app. <\/p>\n<p>Apparently, there\u2019s also \u201cCrosswind Stability Control\u201d, which works against strong winds when driving at high speeds by \u201capplying partial braking and steering torque control to improve driving stability\u201d. If it was at work, it was so unobtrusive that I didn\u2019t notice it kicking in. Anyway, sounds like a good idea.<\/p>\n<p>True, most of these aren\u2019t exotic fitments these days, but they\u2019re executed well and work intuitively. As ever, I judge a car by the quality of the steering wheel controls, not least the adaptive cruise control, and the Tucson is a match for any of its many, many competitors in this overcrowded market sector. The seats have been redesigned and I can testify that they\u2019re supportive on a long motorway run. The air con controls are immediately accessible via conventional dials rather than multiple touchscreen menus, which is safer as well as more convenient. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-1kgrxrh-0 IuFeK\">\n<h2 class=\"sc-1kgrxrh-3 bCcmfs\">The Spec<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"sc-1kgrxrh-4 gFApdk\">Hyundai Tucson Ultimate 1.6T Plug-in Hybrid<\/h3><figcaption class=\"sc-1kgrxrh-5 iJEtqr\">\n<p><strong>Price:<\/strong> \u00a346,475 (as tested, range starts at \u00a332,000)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Engine capacity:<\/strong> 1.6l-petrol, 4-cyl + 88kWh battery, 6sp-auto 4WD<\/p>\n<p><strong>Power output (PS):<\/strong> 253<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top speed (mph):<\/strong> 116<\/p>\n<p><strong>0 to 60 (seconds):<\/strong> 8.2<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fuel economy (mpg):<\/strong> 217.3<\/p>\n<p><strong>CO2 emissions (WLTP, g\/km):<\/strong> 29<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>So far, so contemporary and fashionable, then, and the edgy looks, diamond-black grille and stacked headlights have all been slightly updated in line with consumer tastes. Because of the distinctive pattern of the running lights the Tucson feels a little less generic than some of its peers, but, in all frankness, it\u2019s sometimes hard to tell these \u201ccrossover\u201d SUV\/hatch designs apart, and, as someone who\u2019s had experience in most of them, they can be formulaic and samey. Not bad, you understand, and incomparably better value than anything that\u2019s gone before; not just not so\u2026 interesting as they might be. <\/p>\n<p>The same goes for the drivetrain, particularly in the case of the plug-in hybrid version placed at my disposal. These are indeed popular right now, partly because people sometimes consider them \u201cgreen\u201d or a halfway step to a full battery-powered SUV. <\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-482ou5-2 hCNBSR sc-482ou5-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 hXrpsW\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"3\" class=\"sc-482ou5-0 ijNrEv\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/23\/14\/03\/Hyundai-5.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/23\/14\/03\/Hyundai-5.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2025\/05\/23\/14\/03\/Hyundai-5.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Tucson plug-in hybrid is firmly at the conjunction of fiscally sound, fashionable family motoring\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 QHifS inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/p>\n<p><button class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-0 fsbheq inline-gallery-btn\" id=\"trigger-autogallery-188732\"><span class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-1 jEeRhv\">open image in gallery<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 kBlcBC kIlksO\">The Tucson plug-in hybrid is firmly at the conjunction of fiscally sound, fashionable family motoring<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 hAhJPR\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Hyundai<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>You do plug them in, after all, and you can get about 40 miles on a full charge (mostly from the mains, but a little self-generated through the petrol\/electric regenerative system). The problem, as with all plug-in hybrids, is that this leaves your Tucson neither one thing nor t\u2019other, and even the worst of both worlds. If they\u2019re not used as intended, and rarely or never plugged in, then they\u2019re just a petrol car lugging around a heavy battery pack, and with actually inferior performance, fuel economy and luggage space to boot, so to speak. If they\u2019re religiously charged and used for lots of EV use, well, why not run a pure battery electric vehicle instead? <\/p>\n<p>The Hyundai people like to hedge their bets in these technically uncertain times, and they\u2019ll also happily sell you a petrol, (non plug-in) hybrid, and, though not yet a fully battery-powered Tucson, some with a choice of two or four wheel drive, and in a range of trim levels. If you want an electric family Hyundai, there\u2019s the smaller Kona, the futuristic Ioniq 5 and the rarer retro-styled Ioniq 6 to choose from \u2013 all highly competitive. <\/p>\n<p>The main reason for opting for this plug-in hybrid job is that company car users enjoy a considerable tax break on the benefit-in-kind, based on some optimistic assumptions about people being bothered to plug them in. <\/p>\n<p>The Tucson plug-in hybrid is firmly at the conjunction of fiscally sound, fashionable family motoring. However, like all the rest, and through no fault of its own, the concept is a little but flawed. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it&#8217;s investigating the financials of Elon Musk&#8217;s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, &#8216;The A Word&#8217;, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more So here I am again at the wheel of another plug-in hybrid SUV automobile and I may well wonder \u201cwell, how did I get here?\u201d Unlike the Talking Heads\u2019 whimsical answers to their famous existential question, the answer to my conundrum is, first, the Hyundai press office and, second and third, fashion and fiscal incentives. I know what I\u2019m doing, you know. We\u2019re talking specifically here about a Hyundai Tucson Ultimate 1.6 plug-in hybrid with a six-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive. It\u2019s a fine but flawed car. The finery is immediately apparent. Although the model has been around for about five years now, it\u2019s recently been treated to what the car trade terms a \u201crefresh\u201d and used to be known as a facelift, which sounded a bit too disparaging and, well, honest. It\u2019s the fourth generation of a car that\u2019s been steadily growing in stature, in both senses, and popularity over the past two decades ago, and is now a top 10 seller in the UK, just ahead of the Mini Cooper and not far behind the Peugeot 2008 and its hig&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1409,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1408"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1408"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1408\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1409"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1408"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1408"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}