New Hyundai Tucson Gets Bigger Battery and Advanced Hybrid System

 New Hyundai Tucson Gets Bigger Battery and Advanced Hybrid System

Hyundai has introduced the new Tucson Plug-in Hybrid with a more advanced electrified powertrain, a larger battery and standard all-wheel drive

The fifth-generation Hyundai Tucson will be available in international markets with several powertrain choices, including petrol, mild-hybrid, full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options

The new Tucson Plug-in Hybrid is primarily designed for European markets, where it will be offered in a short-wheelbase configuration

Along with the updated hybrid technology, Hyundai has increased the battery capacity and revised the electric motor setup to improve electric driving capability and overall performance

Larger 17.1kWh Battery

One of the biggest changes to the new Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid is its larger battery pack

The new model uses a 17.1kWh battery, compared with the 13.8kWh battery found in the previous-generation Tucson PHEV

Hyundai is targeting an electric-only driving range of up to 81km under the WLTP testing cycle

The previous Tucson Plug-in Hybrid offered around 67-70km of electric range in front-wheel-drive configuration, while the AWD version was rated at around 63km

The larger battery should make the new Tucson more practical for everyday electric driving, allowing owners to cover longer distances without relying on the petrol engine

However, the bigger battery also increases the vehicle's overall weight, which has an impact on acceleration

Revised Hybrid System Uses Two Electric Motors

Hyundai has retained the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine for the new Tucson PHEV, but the electric side of the powertrain has received an important update

The new system uses two electric motors known as P1 and P2

The P1 motor replaces the belt-driven P0 motor used in the previous model and is now integrated into the transmission

It produces 13kW or around 17hp and mainly helps start the petrol engine and generate electricity

The P1 motor can also provide additional assistance to the petrol engine when extra power is required

The P2 electric motor remains responsible for driving the wheels and regenerative braking

It produces 79kW or around 106hp, which is the same output offered by the previous Tucson PHEV

292PS Output With AWD As Standard

The new Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid produces a combined 292PS and 380Nm of torque

Power is delivered to all four wheels through a mechanical all-wheel-drive system, while a six-speed automatic transmission comes as standard

Hyundai says the new Tucson PHEV can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds

That figure is slightly slower than the previous model, which completed the same acceleration test in around 7.5 seconds in FWD specification and 7.6 seconds with AWD

The new model offers more combined power, but the larger battery pack adds extra weight, which is one reason why acceleration is not quicker

No DC Fast Charging Support

Despite its updated hybrid technology, the new Tucson Plug-in Hybrid does not support DC fast charging

The SUV can only be charged through an AC charging system, with the maximum charging rate remaining at 7.2kW

Hyundai has not confirmed the exact charging time for the new model yet

The larger 17.1kWh battery is expected to require more time to reach a full charge compared with the outgoing model

For reference, the previous Tucson PHEV could charge from 10 to 100 percent in approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes when using its maximum AC charging capacity

New Tucson Available In Two Body Sizes

Hyundai is developing the fifth-generation Tucson in two different body configurations, including short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase versions

European markets will receive the short-wheelbase version of the SUV

The short-wheelbase Tucson measures 4,560mm in length, 1,900mm in width and 1,670mm in height

It has a wheelbase of 2,720mm

Compared with the previous model, the new short-wheelbase Tucson is 35mm longer and 35mm wider, while its height has increased by 20mm

The wheelbase has also grown by 40mm, which should provide additional space inside the cabin

The long-wheelbase version is larger, measuring 4,700mm long, 1,905mm wide and 1,685mm tall

Its wheelbase measures 2,785mm

The availability of different body sizes allows Hyundai to adapt the Tucson to the requirements of different global markets

Hyundai Tucson India Launch Unlikely

Although the fifth-generation Tucson is being developed as a global SUV, Hyundai does not currently plan to introduce this latest-generation model in India

This means the new Tucson Plug-in Hybrid is unlikely to reach the Indian market

The model is instead focused on international markets, particularly regions where Hyundai is expanding its range of electrified SUVs

With petrol, mild-hybrid, full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, the new Tucson is designed to compete in a highly competitive global SUV segment

Models such as the Toyota RAV4 are among the key rivals that the new Tucson will face in international markets

Also read:2027 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Gets New Tech and Updated Interior

Final Words

The new Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid brings several important upgrades, with the larger 17.1kWh battery and revised two-motor hybrid system being the biggest changes

Its electric range of up to 81km, 292PS combined output and standard AWD make it a stronger electrified SUV for global markets

The lack of DC fast charging may disappoint some buyers, but the improved battery capacity should make the new Tucson more useful for everyday electric driving

For now, the model remains mainly focused on international markets, while an India launch does not appear to be part of Hyundai's current plans

Also read:Kia Sorento Interior Review: A Detailed Look at the Cabin

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