2025 Hyundai Tucson Elite Review

In an attempt to keep things accessible for buyers, Hyundai offers the Tucson in no less than 17 different flavours, which is great, but it’s easy to be lost in a sea of potential Tucson options.

Within the Tucson lineup, the Tucson Elite stands as a potential upgrade for those looking for more features and premium touches than the entry-level variants without blowing the budget completely.

The Tucson Elite picks up the option of three engines, including a fuel-efficient hybrid unit at the top of the range, so let’s take a closer look to see if it’s one of the best versions of the 2025 Tucson range.

Hyundai Tucson Competition

How Much Does the Hyundai Tucson Elite Cost?

Prices for the MY25 Hyundai Tucson Elite kick off from $44,100 for the entry-level Tucson Elite 2.0-litre FWD, while the Tucson Elite 1.6 FWD is priced at $46,100 and the all-wheel drive Tucson Elite 1.6 is priced at $48,600.

For those looking for a more fuel-efficient midsize SUV package, the Hyundai Tucson Elite Hybrid FWD is priced at $50,100 while the Tucson Elite Hybrid AWD is priced at $52,600.

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Hyundai Tucson Elite (FWD) Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Hyundai Tucson Elite Have?

The Hyundai Tucson Elite range picks up a long list of equipment upgrades over the base model.

The list is headlined by a set of 18-inch alloys, black leather upholstery with power-adjustable and heated front seats, a solar control windscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a dark chrome front grille, rear privacy glass, front parking sensors, dual-zone climate control and keyless entry and start.

The Tucson Elite range is also packaged with Hyundai’s Smart Cruise Control system which uses the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist for easy highway motoring.

Buyers also pick up features you’ll find in the Tucson base model, which means you’ll receive LED head & tail lights, LED indicators and daytime running lamps, a 6.6-inch climate control panel, a wireless smartphone charger, a leather-wrapped steering wheel & gear lever, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors and a premium cloth dashboard.

Hyundai Tucson Elite Connectivity & Infotainment Features

While the Tucson Elite range receives an upgraded 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, the infotainment package is the same you’ll find in the base model.

This means buyers pick up a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system sitting atop the dashboard, though satellite navigation is thrown in for buyers upgrading to the Elite.

Hyundai’s 12.3-inch infotainment system is packaged with AM/FM radio, DAB+ digital radio and is paired with a six-speaker sound system.

Buyers stepping up to the Tucson Elite do, however, pick up added features within the Bluelink connected services suite, which adds live traffic updates, navigation send-to-car functions and voice recognition.

This is in addition to existing Bluelink features, like vehicle settings and diagnostics, remote climate inputs and vehicle functions.

Does the Hyundai Tucson Elite Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Potential buyers will be pleased to know that all members of the Hyundai Tucson range, including Elite variants offer wireless smartphone mirroring.

This means you can leave your USB cable at home because the Tucson Elite is ready for action with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Is the Hyundai Tucson Elite Comfortable to Drive?

On the road, the Hyundai Tucson is a well-mannered and surprisingly refined SUV package that gives even the best in the segment some serious competition.

Better yet, the introduction of a new hybrid powertrain for the Tucson range adds some great fuel efficiency to the mix.

Buyers have the option of three engines for the Tucson Elite range, including a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol kicking out 115kW/192Nm at the base of the range and a sportier  1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 132kW of power and 264Nm of torque.

Those opting for the Tucson Elite Hybrid pick up the same 1.6-litre turbocharged four-pot paired with an electric motor that lifts outputs to a combined 172kW of power and 350Nm.

While this marks the end of the line for the Tucson diesel, there’s a lot to like about Hyundai’s honest and affordable 2.0-litre petrol at the base of the range and sportier 1.6-litre turbocharged engine that gives a more engaging dynamic on the road.

Spending a little extra on Hyundai’s hybrid powertrain for the Tucson is also a great investment, no just in terms of fuel efficiency, but also the driving experience, with its smooth acceleration off the line from the electric motor assist.

The base 2.0-litre petrol and Hybrid engines each pick up a six-speed automatic, though the base model remains front-wheel drive only, with the option of both FWD and AWD for the Tucson Elite Hybrid.

The Tucson Elite with the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine receives a snappy seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and is offered in a choice of FWD and AWD layouts.

Whichever engine you opt for, the latest Tucson range impresses with its great table manners, remaining a super easy package to drive around town and squeeze in and out of a car park.

The Tucson’s steering is incredibly light, albeit a little vague, though the trade-off here is that it’s simple to throw the wheel around in a roundabout or make a quick three-point turn.

The suspension package does well to iron out smaller bumps around town while minimising body roll in the corners and standing up pretty well to rougher surfaces in the country.

It’s not a game-changer for the segment, though the Tucson can handle some punishment on a nasty B-road while staying composed, particularly with the AWD system if things get wet.

On the highway, the Tucson is once again a strong performer, keeping things nice and quiet in the cabin while gliding along at high speeds, representing a great all-rounder in the midsize SUV segment.

Is the Hyundai Tucson Elite Fuel Efficient?

Fuel efficiency in the Tucson Elite range very much depends on which engine you’re ticking the box on.

In base form, the Hyundai Tucson with its 2.0-litre petrol is the least efficient in the range, consuming 8.1L per 100km on a combined cycle.

Opting for the Tucson with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol drops fuel economy figures to 6.7L per 100km, while the Tucson Elite Hybrid range is rated at just 5.3L per 100km.

• Tucson 2.0 Combined Cycle Fuel Economy: 8.1L/100km

• Tucson 1.6T FWD Combined Cycle Fuel Economy: 6.7L/100km

• Tucson 1.6T AWD Combined Cycle Fuel Economy: 7.2L/100km

• Tucson Hybrid Combined Cycle Fuel Economy: 5.3L/100km

How Much Fuel does the Hyundai Tucson Elite use Around Town?

• Tucson 2.0 City Cycle Fuel Economy: 11L/100km

• Tucson 1.6T FWD City Cycle Fuel Economy: 8.0L/100km

• Tucson 1.6T AWD City Cycle Fuel Economy: 8.8L/100km

• Tucson Hybrid City Cycle Fuel Economy: 3.6L/100km

How Much Fuel Does the Hyundai Tucson Elite use on the Highway?

• Tucson 2.0 Highway Fuel Economy: 6.5L/100km

• Tucson 1.6T FWD Highway Fuel Economy: 5.9L/100km

• Tucson 1.6T AWD Highway Fuel Economy: 6.3L/100km

• Tucson Hybrid Highway Fuel Economy: 6.5L/100km

Is the Hyundai Tucson Practical and Spacious?

Family-friendly practicality is the name of the game in the midsize SUV world, with the Tucson performing well on all fronts.

The MY25 Tucson is slightly larger - 10mm -  than its predecessor but retains the existing wheelbase dimensions, which translate to a spacious and practical cabin for a family of five, with great boot space figures.

Elite variants are packaged with leather upholstery and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which helps to make the cabin feel more premium and modern and very competitive with rivals wearing a similar price tag.

Headroom in the front of the cabin is abundant, with no issues for tall drivers and solid marks for forward visibility in the captain’s seat.

There’s also plenty of storage on offer, with the large centre console housing a pair of cupholders and a rubber-lined wireless phone charger, with an additional tier of storage where the console meets the dash. 

You’ll also find some storage inside the large folding armrest, inside the passenger’s glovebox and bottle holders on either side of the cabin.

Move to the second row and the Tucson is a strong performer on the comfort and space front.

Adults won’t have an issue getting comfortable in the Tucson’s second row, meaning you won’t hear any complaints from kids seated in the back.

Headroom is also great thanks to the relatively tall roofline, while a folding centre armrest with cupholders, dedicated air vents, a pair of USB-C charging ports, map pockets and door bins round out the amenities list in the Tucson’s back row.

For parents, Hyundai has installed two pairs of ISOFIX anchors as well as three top tether mounts on the seatback to accommodate a range of forward and rear-facing child seats.

All up, the Tucson ticks all the important boxes that family buyers are looking for, with its spacious interior layout making light work of a family of five while throwing in some premium materials to help sweeten the deal.

How Big is the Hyundai Tucson’s Boot?

Boot space figures in the Hyundai Tucson range vary depending on which engine you’re opting for.

With the second-row seats standing, petrol-powered Tucson variants have a boot measuring 539L, which grows to 582L in the case of the Tucson Hybrid range.

Fold down the rear seats and you’ll unlock 1,860L worth of cargo space, expanding once again to 1,903L for the Tucson Hybrid.

This means that not only is the Tucson Hybrid the most fuel-efficient option in the range, it’s also the most practical when you start filling up the boot.

Is the Hyundai Tucson Safe?

Hyundai packages the Tucson Elite with a long list of active safety tech, though some key pieces of tech are reserved for the range-topping Tucson Premium.

Tucson Elite buyers pick up autonomous emergency braking with junction assist, pedestrian and cyclist detection, as well as blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic assist, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assistance.

You’ll also find a rear-view camera with rear-mounted parking sensors, leading vehicle departure alerts, tyre pressure monitoring, rear occupant alerts and safe exit warnings all packaged into the Tucson Elite as standard.

Finally, the Tucson Elite’s safety equipment suite includes a smart cruise control system and a highway driving assistant which combines the adaptive cruise and lane-keep systems for easy highway driving.

Unfortunately, though, a surround-view monitor, blind-spot view monitor and rear autonomous emergency braking are all reserved for the range-topping Tucson Premium range.

Does the Hyundai Tucson Elite Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Hyundai Tucson range wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating after testing in 2021 saw it score the following marks.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 86%

• Child Occupant Protection: 87%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 66%

• Safety Assist: 70%

What Warranty Does the Hyundai Tucson Come With?

Hyundai offers the MY25 Tucson range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The company offers capped-price servicing for a period of five years, with prices ranging from $1,799 for both the Tucson 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol range, while five years of servicing for the Tucson Hybrid is priced at $2,040.

Service intervals for the Tucson 1.6-litre turbo and Hybrid stand at 12 months or 10,000 kilometres, with intervals rising to 15,000kms in the case of the Tucson 2.0-litre petrol.

Our Verdict: Is the Hyundai Tucson Elite Worth it?

Hyundai’s Tucson Elite is a great midsize SUV for the family and is particularly well-positioned as a more premium, well-equipped variant that doesn’t require upgrading to the range-topper.

The Tucson platform has the fundamentals covered when it comes to on-road manners, interior space and practicality, while the lengthy equipment lists and a tonne of active safety gear help to sweeten the deal for family buyers.

The proposition is sweetened by the addition of hybrid versions of the Tucson for fuel-conscious buyers, all while continuing to offer the 2.0-litre petrol for more budget-conscious buyers.

We’d recommend you add the Tucson range to your shortlist if you’re after a stylish, well-equipped and super-competitive fighter in the world of midsize SUVs for your family.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying specialists who can help find you the best possible price.

Five Hyundai Tucson Elite Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. 1,650kg braked towing capacity in petrol form, 1,900kg for hybrid

3. Three engines available

4. Hybrid’s 582L boot drops to 539L in petrol versions

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating