2025 Hyundai Tucson AWD Review and Off-Road Test

[@kenfrank2730]

I forgot to say this is a great video. You actually test the vehicles off road, which other reviewers rarely do. I like the way you got into the cargo area, I could see the floor flex. Thanks for going the extra mile in your reviews.

[@ffsolutions9442]

Great review! Its really curious why Hyundai/Kia don't bring the full-fledged offroad modes to the US! The sand mode for example is incredibly aggressive and shifts power extremely well!

[@crimsoncoyote1660]

Ryan does the very best SUV reviews!

[@frankENZC]

He sure does!

[@Kampfgruppe9260]

Hyundai cars are comfortable, solid, and reasonably priced for their performance.

[@BoopSnoot]

Love the black headliner, the open area by the center console, MUCH less piano black, physical dials, column shifter, nice curved infotainment with a useful shelf, good fuel economy, and handsome exterior styling with the new grill. Hyundai did a great job! That weak rear floor can be fixed aftermarket with a plastic shelf system that the floor rests on for support, otherwise throw a bunch of mulch bags back there and the thing will break!!!

[@samdovels1234]

Agree with all except for exterior design. Not my taste at all.

[@banderson1979]

Tucsons see a lot more baby's than dirt roads..

[@montyspearo]

This is true for most SUVs and lot 4wDs.

[@ElMartilloBlanco]

You could say that about 4Runners and Wranglers too haha, at least where I'm from. They're basically the new cool mom cars.

[@giolats8179]

Excellent review. Did you have the "lock" function on during the off-road test?

[@KeithSchwerin]

I love that they recognize that owners are more likely to have a Baby inside than do any off-roading.

[@nikolanikolov4287]

Excellent review! Hyundai improved, but only incrementally. Btw, I have Rav4 TRD. Can I use the bigger Falkon tires without lift kit? I believe you didn't lift RAV4 TRD to install them? Excellent channel and I appreciate it 👍 I learn a lot from you.

[@lilpeppa117G]

The hybrids awd system in the rear is powered by battery only it does not have enough power to move the car the regular Tuscon can do this found this out the hard way

[@johnh7058]

If true the awd system is worthless, this alone is reason not to buy the hybrid.

[@alfonsofornabaio3482]

You digged the car for no reason. No-one would have met a single log in the way you did. Congrats.

[@brandonangelodiaz8854]

Been waiting for this review of the new tucson. And to see if its also capable going off road.

[@BoopSnoot]

None of them are really meant for "offroad", but the AWD is nice to keep you from getting stuck in the conditions the average buyer will encounter. Primacies are nice and quiet great tires on the highway, not really meant for the trails.

[@0HOON0]

​@@BoopSnootWe mean Forest Service and BLM roads when we say that.

[@lilpeppa117G]

The hybrids awd is not connected to the front wheels it does not have enough power to move to car offroad the regular tucson can

[@ZookOffRoad-l3k]

@@BoopSnoot Many AWD crossovers/SUVs (with decent ground clearance) will do just fine on most off-road trails. How many real 4WD owners actually take their vehicles on the 10% of trails where you really need 4L and lockers?

[@edsmith9855]

This hybrid Tuscon is an excellent value. In my area, they are giving significant discounts on some of them. It is possible to get a nicely equipped model for low 30K. My standard of comparison is the Corsstrek, and for about the same price as a Crosstrek Sport or Limited you can get the Tuscon hybrid with navigation and POWER TAILGAIT, more space, more power, 6 speed auto, and equal or better mpg. Only thing you give up is some off road capability. That and there is still not much info on the reliability of the Tuscon hybrid. (It is somewhat suspect to me as they have a small turbo paired with a hybrid drivetrain with not much experience for Hyundai.)

[@frankENZC]

Great review Ryan. I recently test drove a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, XRT with the tow hooks and improved approach and departure angles. Will you test one soon?

[@jfish9014]

What did you think of it? Considering buying? What are you comparing it against?

[@frankENZC]

@@jfish9014 Maybe quite different but I was/am also considering a Nissan Frontier Pro4x. I like smaller vehicles. I like the AWD on the Santa Cruz vs 4WD on the Pro4x. I like the Hyundai warranty; The tech is really great in the Santa Cruz is excellent. The one I test drove had a bed extender to help with increased hauling. And the Santa Cruz is faster and gets better MPG but I think you need Premium fuel. The Pro4x uses regular due to the non-turbo which is good..

[@jfish9014]

@frankENZC thanks for the info - I'm one of the few people that apparently enjoy how the Santa Cruz looks, and really like that warranty. I've had a new 2015 Frontier for years, and thought it was excellent, and am also interested in the 2025 model, although just the SV trim in King cab form - I also want a smallish truck, and don't really need a crew cab.

[@johnh7058]

That steering wheel sensor is a Driver Attention Warning system that could eventually be used to detect alcohol impairment. Can't be disabled either.

[@PhilmarGundayaoVloggs]

Ryan, try the 2.5 4-I cylinder Limited trim or the XRT. I'm sure it will pass the test. BTW, Great review and thank you!

[@raidersamson3356]

I can't get over the lowered headlights and taillights, they need to fix that for safety reasons, especially the turn signals in the back

[@rondail5675]

Ryan, what about winter use? How do you get interior heat and defrosters?

[@united2557]

Surely you need different / better tires for off road testing ??

[@kenfrank2730]

Would be interesting to see this test using AT tires.

[@Agenttaco-s17]

We had a ‘22 Tucson hybrid and it was getting 21.2 mpg on the freeway for some of our trips in the winter. It’s typical for hybrids to get worse mpg in the winter and at that speed but that felt too much of a hit to us.

[@0HOON0]

My Camry Hybrid went from 50 mpg to 33 in the winter. Surprised me as well.

[@lilpeppa117G]

Tuscon hybrid is a guzzler on the hwy im so mad

[@Agenttaco-s17]

@@0HOON0 yeah that’s a big hit, similar percentage change. But at least that’s still pretty good efficiency all things considered. Our ford fusion 1.5t gets 30 mpg all day and your Camrys still better

[@randycupp5925]

My 22 Hybrid gets 37 mpg Hwy in the summer and around 32 Hwy in the winter. I am in TX with mild winters...

[@nhsajib69]

Great Review... ❤

[@stevesmith4819]

Great review! Is that exterior color the new Titan Gray?

[@drivingsports]

Our window sticker says Amazon Gray.

[@markw6022]

would not go with amazon gray this color may look stunning or so, so, depending on the lighting. with zero light looks green like military vehicle when body gets more light it is beautiful. Have 2025 kona amazon gray . Titan gray is safer color.

[@muresansergiubohdan]

I am curious about a bit longer climb how the transmission would behave as older Hyundai transmissions have been prone to overheating. Maybe you can test that at some point in your reviews.

[@kennethharless9696]

Weird that it doesn't have diff lock when my 2016 does.. I want to take mine on that course 😂

[@pinkipipe]

Still a nice SUV . Love what Hyundai is doing lately 👍

[@StrongHL]

i heard Hyundai and BMW use the same awd system (Magna? i think?). i dont know if that’s just a rumor but are they equally good?

[@2151abell]

keep it at the mall, you'll be just fine

[@StuartSelip]

Great review, as usual from you. Now, I'm considering a 2025 Outback Touring XT vs. the Tucson Hybrid Limited. 2022 Outback XT lease is up shortly. Lots of local driving and several ski trips to Vt and Canada. No real off-road driving. Thoughts?

[@anthonyng3014]

Do you need rear wheels to drive the car? If you do, there's no comparison. Any of these so called AWD hybrids only output something around 40-50hp to the rears maximum so if you do any real driving in adverse conditions, either get the pure gasoline version (if available) or just go Subbie with their world-beating AWD at this price range. The AWD hybrids I'm talking about include the CRV and RAV4 in addition to the Korean analogues.

[@leonblack751]

Tucson is the best suv in its class period

[@kenfrank2730]

Unless you include the Rav4 hybrid.

[@pipin447]

Excelent review ,Please review the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV!.

[@denault3985]

Big brother SUV, but it still digs holes while four wheeling..

[@prashut]

Do a Nissan Rogue test too

[@witsendcottage595]

HUD available?

[@koskos1971]

Thank you for the review but i don't think you really tried as much as with other cars. I think you should try more with traction control off in the end. The same goes with the santa fe test you did a few days ago.

[@proshepherd]

I know with the 22 model, Hyundai said traction control is needed for brake vectoring to work properly. No traction control means the AWD system won't work appropriately.

[@joshuakienlen7626]

Fiero for the win 😉

[@paulrodrigue8289]

I did not find any Mitsubishi outlander PHEV test, any upcoming test of it?

[@drivingsports]

Nope. Mitsubishi didn’t send one up to us.

[@RichardVac]

I like it! But why can Hundai get it right with the traction control system?

[@anthonyng3014]

Because the car only outputs 40hp to the rear wheels?

[@mohit4u007]

Waiting for my Tucson PHEV

[@roberthutson2023]

Wow, I can't believe it's wintertime almost, I really feel like summer doesn't feel like it ever lasts long, but winter man it feels like it never wants to end. I can't believe we are going to be watching these video's soon with snow in them, I feel like it was yesterday, and I saw those videos lol. I am not a huge fan of the Hyundai brand anymore, I did buy a KIA about 7 or so years ago, and I am so annoyed that their engines burn oil like crazy. Between the fact that Kia and Hyundai are the same manufacturers, it's like almost every other month I am hearing issues with their vehicles. I have so far seen, their vehicles catch fire, engines failing, brake system recalls, constant recalls for their stuff. I will stick away from their brands now and just look at Toyota, and Honda if you really want reliability. Yeah, they have their issues as well but man oh man nothing like a Hyundai/KIA.

[@nevv8581]

Recently watched a review on the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT (off road edition?)…same results. Full throttle…no go. I don’t care how nice the interiors are Hyundai’s are not impressive at when they leave the pavement. Maybe the owners should park them when it snows as well? The owners will be going “Wah” otherwise.

[@lukiw7044]

Great daily smal SUV. Greetings

[@White_Wolf_DA]

This one or Dacia Duster 4x4?

[@TBISYTC]

I hope they don't screw this one up like they did the Santa Fe.

[@JRs-guitars]

Hyundai is very conservative with their AWD system programming. I'd be willing to bet that if they make a trail mode for US models...it'll rival Hondas Trailsport and Mazdas trail modes easily.

[@janthony2390]

Part of me doubts that because the Hyundai system tends to overheat and shut down. If they didn't fix that the trail mode is useless.

[@lilpeppa117G]

​​@@janthony2390never had that happened and i abused mines drive every in snow awd lock in Montana

[@janthony2390]

Ryan reviewed a white Palisade previously and was really frustrated with its performance in the snow.

[@unexplainedwearenotalone3537]

with summer tyre you go offer road hmm and what you try show or proof is bad or no good awd? really

[@drivingsports]

All season. Not summer. And we do it with s lot of vehicles that do better in similar conditions with similarly inappropriate tires.

[@kaylatopsey3628]

Please do Lincoln Navigator 🤫

[@Maeina_love]

Με αργό βγαίνεις απο τέτοια χώματα και όχι με sport mode. Τα suv δεν είναι τα παλιά που είχαμε 4*4. Τα suv απλά έγιναν μόδα για λόγους μάρκετινγκ.

[@mickeybrumfield764]

I thought "baby" mode would be for your girlfriend where you could show off your cars performance.

[@proshepherd]

They only performance your girlfriend cares about is your own performance 😂

[@janthony2390]

Hyundai continues to convince me their AWD is no good. I would trust a Subaru sedan over a Hyundai SUV.

[@0HOON0]

Most brand's traction control has caught up with Subaru. Not Hyundai for some reason though.

[@janthony2390]

​@@0HOON0 Traction control and the AWD I mentioned are two different things. Subaru's AWD is one of the best if not the best. People mistakenly believe all AWD systems are equal but they're not. You will see Hyundai's consistently fail where Subaru's excel offroad watching this channel.

[@lilpeppa117G]

This is the hybrid its not connected to the front wheels which is why its behaving like this

[@whitepaperkat67]

Technically reliability wise they're about the same

[@janthony2390]

@@whitepaperkat67 How can a Hyundai failing offroad be technically and reliably the same as a Subaru that consistently passes?

[@markmauro3731]

The Lock button may have helped

[@tsoleno]

This. I don't recall any mention that he knew the AWD Lock button was at his finger tips...

[@PhilmarGundayaoVloggs]

@@markmauro3731 Where is the lock button?

[@edsmith9855]

I don't think there is a lock button on the hybrid.

[@tsoleno]

@@edsmith9855 Yes there is.

[@tsoleno]

@@PhilmarGundayaoVloggs It is the far left button on the console between the seats.

[@chuckwalla2967]

It seems like the issue with power being cut off was the traction control. As soon it was turned off, it was off and running.

[@2URLex]

Same price as the bigger “off-road” Santa Fe. Ridiculous, simply ridiculous lol

[@dannyboy1984]

Can you do the Pathfinder Rock Creek plz 🙏

[@surajhk31]

Car feeling slow while its actually fast is a good thing. Why are u so dissatisfied with it ?

[@liamcarp7113]

Your peak numbers are not correct. Hyundai has increased the Torque number to 271.

[@Chollo60]

you had traction control on

[@67keyakaren68]

it will be at walmart not off road

[@Jdhdhidiehehdhd38]

Beautiful car

[@TexasStormChaser]

A REAL transmission?!! Hyundai really listens to its customers. Now if Subaru would only ditch the CVT.

[@anthonyng3014]

I've heard bad things with the Hyundai DCT being herky jerky. CVTs can be very smooth and still provide good performance. Try the Outback XT and let us know what you feel about that CVT.

[@TexasStormChaser]

@@anthonyng3014 CVT's are trash no thanks.

[@sansinutube]

You have been offroading in EV mode 😮 But it kept cutting power in EV mode. Only after battery was depleted enough, it turned the engine on and provided the needed torque. There must be a way to completely turn off the EV mode for offroading.

[@drivingsports]

It doesn’t have an “EV Mode”

[@Jgjginkg244]

Tucson Hybrid > RAV4 Hybrid

[@BoopSnoot]

How does it compete against the Subaru Forester which isn't a hybrid, and not the Nissan Rogue Platinum AWD or if offroad the Rock Creek edition? Rogue outsold the Forester 1.8:1, nearly twice as many. :)

[@drivingsports]

We haven’t had a Rogue to review in years so we can’t speak to that competitor.

[@BoopSnoot]

@@drivingsports C'mon Nissan, float over a press Rogue Rock Creek for testing!

[@darkkforest]

Hyundai AWD is more All Wheel Drunk

[@kenfrank2730]

What I don't like: weak cargo floor, no spare tire, mpg is lower than the Rav4 hybrid, engine uses a turbocharger (possibly more maintenance issues in the future). One positive I see is Hyundai offering 0% financing on the Tucson. But be careful, there could be some gotchas.

[@jasonsmith1158]

Just buy a LAND ROVER DEFENDER !!! 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@Maximum_Swag_Engaged]

tldr; nice car , but keep it on the pavement lol

[@elizabethescher5445]

No, thank you. No car with a lithium battery.

[@0HOON0]

Most Toyota hybrids have li-ion now and they've been very solid.

[@chri5jame5]

I love how no one recognizes that Hyundais/Kias are still ticking time bombs lol

[@0HOON0]

Some are quite reliable I've heard. Personally though I've seen mostly bad experiences first hand. My coworkers theta II failed on him and Hyundai weaseled out of paying for it somehow. It only had 110k on it. Just out of warranty.

[@liamcarp7113]

Tucson’s actually hold their value just as well as RAV 4s you dumb ass. Research it. It’s not 2010 anymore 🤣. You ignorant putz.

[@janthony2390]

I took calls daily for Hyundai customers in a high populated area almost a year ago. They would say the reasons for their calls. A large percentage called in upset after experiencing mechanical failure. After a while I started feeling sorry for the people like they were duped. The dealer I worked for sold other brands so I was able to compare how many service calls I was taking for each and the reasons. If only they put their focus on building quality vehicles instead of focusing on looks and / or advertising I may consider one.

[@stevesheid9542]

My time bomb keeps ticking!

[@mjbucar]

No spare tire - D.O.A. !!!! Also, placement of rear turn signals is ALL WRONG = safety hazard !!!!

[@kenfrank2730]

I agree, especially when driving on mountain roads or away from the city.

[@UAkovalchuk]

1.6 liter!?? What is going on

[@liamcarp7113]

It’s a Hybrid dumb ass

[@randycupp5925]

Its a hybrid. The electric motor assists in total power output so that you don't need a super large gasoline engine. These are made for efficiency.

[@anthonyng3014]

They have 1.0 liter cars in Asia...

[@iewretyuabba1778]

ABBA

[@elvina667]

oh hell no 42k for a Hyundai ?? id rather buy a used luxury car with that money

[@0HOON0]

There better be huge discounts.

[@anthonyng3014]

On the bright side, you can likely pick up a 2-year old Hyundai for half price, the way these cars depreciate. That or even better, a KIA! Although expect to lose another half of the vehicle's value over the next 2 more years after these Korean manufacturers decide to completely change the line's identity and looks like they change underwear.

[@iwazaru8101]

Why is Hyundai so ridiculously incompetent with such basic torque-vectoring technology? Isn't it mostly computer algorithms even HS students can code? As soon as slip is detected, clamp down on the brakes and send power to the other wheel(s). Why would any traction control programming allow a spinning wheel to free-spin 10+ rotations and do NOTHING?

[@anthonyng3014]

Because these AWD hybrids aren't "actual" AWD. They have an electric motor outputting 40 or so hp to the rear wheels. That's it. So that tiny electric motor isn't powerful enough to pull the car out of a dig.

[@AyAy008]

Kia/Hyundai=🗑️

[@candlercando]

The price for this Hyundai is a non-starter. Add to the detriment is that it's a hybrid, the worst of both worlds.

[@javierlugo259]

Call it what it is, A Piece of JUNK.......Great Video

[@TahoeKing]

The ugliest car in its segment

[@janthony2390]

Not true. It looks better than the new Forester but can't go half the places off road.

[@samdovels1234]

​@@janthony2390I happen to like the Forester style much better. The Tucson may be newer but it looks ugly.

[@wildeman170]

Disagree it’s a fresh look of angles instead of boring square. But it’s down to personal taste, let’s see how the sales on the 2025 go

[@anthonyng3014]

I followed one just today and thought it was a 2005 Tucson. The rear was so ugly and completely unnecessary for a econobox family hauler.

[@emikomina]

pure utter garbage