The Hyundai TUCSON is the South Korean vehicle manufacturer's most popular model in Germany and recorded almost 5,000 new registrations in 2023. The popular SUV received an impressive facelift in 2024, giving both the exterior design and the interior a new shine. With a variety of powertrain options, including the return of the diesel engine, Hyundai offers a wide choice that makes deciding on the right model no easy task.

The Hyundai TUCSON is a versatile SUV that is equipped with a variety of drive variants to meet the most diverse needs. These range from traditional combustion engines to modern hybrid solutions. These are the different drive variants:

Petrol engine: The TUCSON is available as a petrol engine in two different versions, both of which use the familiar 1.6 T-GDI with 160 PS. Depending on your preference, you can opt for the front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive version, whereby the all-wheel drive TUCSON can only be ordered with an automatic transmission.

Diesel engine: It was originally planned that the facelift of the TUCSON would not have a diesel engine. However, due to high demand, the Hyundai TUCSON Diesel was announced inApril 2024. The diesel SUV from Hyundai is equipped with a 1.6 CRDI engine and automatic transmission, which delivers 136 hp. Here, too, you have the choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

Hybrid drive: If you are looking for more power, you should consider the full hybrid of the TUCSON. With 215 hp, it offers impressive performance and is available in both 2WD and 4WD with the 1.6 T-GDI HEV. The 1.6 T-GDI is supported by a powerful electric motor, resulting in reduced pollutant emissions.

Plug-in hybrid: For environmentally conscious drivers, Hyundai offers the TUCSON PHEV, an SUV that can drive up to 65 kilometres on electric power alone. This model is also equipped with the 1.6 T-GDI petrol engine, which is supported by plug-in hybrid technology.

If you often have to tow trailers with your car, the TUCSON is a good choice. Even with the smallest petrol engine, the TUCSON tends to be powerful enough to tow heavy weights, as the engines have good torque. Nevertheless, the TUCSON diesel with the automatic transmission and all-wheel drive is probably the best option for this particular application. With its 325 Nm, it is definitely best equipped for towing trailers.

With so many drive options, it is not easy to make the right choice. However, the advantage is that there is a suitable TUCSON with the optimum engine for almost every application.

Those who prefer the tried-and-tested technology of combustion engines can opt for a diesel or petrol engine and for those who want to reduce their CO₂ consumption, there are the advanced hybrid drives.

There are a few simple principles that can simplify your choice:

1. Anyone who drives a lot in urban stop-and-go traffic and covers relatively short distances is generally better off with a petrol car.
2. The same applies vice versa: if you regularly drive longer distances and are often on the motorway, you should opt for a diesel.
3. Although the HEV and PHEV variants of the TUCSON are more expensive than the pure combustion models, the hybrid SUVs will save you considerable fuel costs in the long term. HEV models consume 20% to 35% less fuel on average, and PHEV models can even save 50% to 70% fuel in urban traffic. The higher purchase costs could therefore pay off over time.

The Hyundai TUCSON is Hyundai's most popular model for good reason. Regardless of the engine, the vehicle impresses with its unique design, both on the outside and in the interior. But which drive variant suits you best? In 2024, the Hyundai TUCSON offers a wide range of options, from efficient petrol and powerful diesel to modern hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. It all depends on what you expect from your vehicle and how you want to use it. If you do a lot of city driving and short journeys, the hybrid could be the right choice. For long motorway journeys, the diesel offers strong performance with high efficiency. If you value maximum environmental friendliness, the plug-in hybrid is ideal, as it can also cover short distances purely electrically.