2025 Hyundai Tucson XRT AWD - Review by David Colman +VIDEO

Refreshed Exterior and Improved Interior Layout

David Colman

Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

I could hardly believe the number showing on my tape measure: 73 inches! That number can't be right. Can I really slide a six-foot-plus package through the tailgate of this 2025 Hyundai Tucson and still leave enough room to hit the auto-close button on the back door?

Given the fact that the Tucson is considered a "compact" class SUV with just two rows of seats (not three), I had minimal confidence in its ability to transport my mountain bike inside the cabin. Not only was there room for this full-size bike, but I didn't even have to fold its front wheel over backwards to make it fit. Both front seats of the Tucson still had legroom to spare, with their seatbacks reclined at a comfortable angle. Best of all, the carpeted loading floor provided an uninterrupted flat surface - free of pockets, seams, or other snagging edges, with plenty of width between the rear wheel arches to position the bike with ease.

I can't tell you how many larger, heavier, more pretentious three-row SUVs have failed to pass this test, most of them costing twice as much as Hyundai's petite, cheap champ, the $34,165, 2025 Tucson XRT AWD. By winning the bike load merit badge, the compact Tucson conclusively proved itself to be the Korean Army Knife. Even if it happens to be manufactured in Montgomery, Alabama with its engine and transmission both made in America.

For 2025, its fourth year in its current guise, the Tucson's exterior appearance has been refreshed, and its interior layout has been vastly improved. The XRT's most striking feature is its set of boldly designed 18-inch alloy wheels. Each rim features five diamond cut spokes polished to resemble crescent wrench jaws. These eye poppers support Kumo Crugen HP 71 all-season radials measuring 235/60R18. The Kumho sidewalls are molded with a checkered flag imprimatur that adds to the bling by reflecting light in dazzling ways. The Crugen rubber also provided good adhesion, excellent ride comfort, and absolutely no tread whine.

The redone interior now utilizes a rectangular 12.3-inch long display screen that stretches 2/3 of the way across the dash, from the steering wheel to the far side of the center console. In front of the driver, a pair of circular gauges track speed and engine rpm, with nicely illuminated sunburst segments that instantly focus your eye on the speed and engine operation ranges. Large numerical read-outs specify road speed and engine rpm. The center section of the continuous screen is dedicated to a variety of functions including operation of the AM/FM/HD Radio, new Wireless Android and Apple CarPlay controls, subscription-available SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluelink + all inclusive connected services (enrollment required).

On the XRT level trim Tucson, the driver's and passenger's seats are both heated, and the H-Tex trimmed driver's seat features electric adjustment for seat back angle and fore/aft positioning. The front seat passenger makes do with manual controls. One useful item we missed in the Tucson was the side view camera which automatically activates in most Hyundais when you activate either turn signal. Steering column adjustment is manual rather than powered, and there's no provision for memory seat/wheel position settings. However, the newly refurbished interior does have a rich, finished look that was missing in prior Tucsons, and the seats proved comfortable and reasonably supportive.

A lack of sufficient horsepower was often apparent with the XRT's base engine, a 187hp unit that strains to comply with your acceleration wishes. The gathering of forward speed is a leisurely affair, no matter how hard you press the accelerator pedal, or which gear set you've manually selected from the 8-speed Shiftronic gearbox. This transmission consists of a console-mounted stick with a regular shift sequence gate on the right, and an offset manual gear gate on the left. Unfortunately, no gear choice is going to perk up the 2.5 liter "Smartstream" four banger to produce a quicker 0-60mph time than 8.8 seconds, or a quarter-mile run quicker than 16.7 seconds at 87mph. If you need to proceed with additional speed, I would suggest climbing the food chain to the 226hp, 1.6 liter four, or better yet, the 1.6 liter hybrid which punches out a much more satisfying 261hp.

The revamped Tucson is such a good package that it deserves an uprated powertrain to make it fully competitive with compact SUV class leaders like Honda's CR-V and Toyota's RAV4.

2025 HYUNDAI TUCSON XRT AWD

ENGINE: 2.5 liter inline-4, DOHC, 16-valve, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection
HORSEPOWER: 187hp@6100rpm
TORQUE: 178lb.-ft.@4000rpm
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 24MPG City/30MPG Highway
PRICE AS TESTED: $36,240

HYPES: Super Spacious, Nifty Cockpit Redo

GRIPES: Go For The Hybrid

STAR RATING: 8.5 Stars out of 10

©2024 David E Colman