2025 Hyundai Tucson Review | Family SUV With Modern Features

Australia’s SUV market has become fiercely competitive, with brands pushing harder every year to deliver family-friendly, tech-loaded, and fuel-efficient models. Hyundai has long been one of the leaders in this space, and the Hyundai Tucson has consistently been a household name. For 2025, the Tucson receives refinements that keep it modern, competitive, and attractive to Australian families.

The SUV blends sharp design, spacious interiors, and cutting-edge technology, making it a well-rounded choice for drivers looking for reliability, affordability, and premium touches without the price tag of luxury brands. But with rivals like the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, and Mazda CX-5 in the mix, does the Tucson have what it takes to stay on top?

This comprehensive review dives deep into the 2025 Hyundai Tucson, covering design, features, safety, performance, efficiency, pricing, and ownership.

Exterior Design: A Bold & Modern Statement

The Tucson has always stood out for its sharp styling, but the 2025 model goes even further. Hyundai continues with its “Parametric Dynamics” design language, and the Tucson looks futuristic while still practical for family use.

• Front fascia: The signature cascading grille with integrated LED daytime running lights gives the Tucson a unique light signature on the road. It’s a design detail that sets it apart from more conservative rivals.
• Body profile: Strong creases along the side panels and bold wheel arches add presence. Alloy wheels now range from 17 to 19 inches, with sportier trims offering unique finishes.
• Rear design: Sleek LED taillights connected by a light bar emphasize width, while a hidden rear wiper tucked under the roof spoiler adds a clean, uncluttered look.
• Paint options: Hyundai continues to offer a broad palette, from family-friendly neutrals like white, grey, and silver, to bolder shades like deep blue and crimson.

For families who want a vehicle that looks just as good in the driveway as it does on the school run, the Tucson delivers.

Interior: Space, Comfort & Premium Touches

Inside, the 2025 Tucson feels more upmarket than its price might suggest. Hyundai has invested heavily in improving ergonomics, technology integration, and material quality.

Cabin Layout

The driver’s seat is well-positioned with excellent visibility. A wide digital instrument cluster sits behind the wheel, while a floating 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system dominates the centre stack. Hyundai has smartly blended touch-sensitive controls with physical buttons, so everyday tasks like climate adjustments don’t require diving through menus.

Comfort & Seating

• Front seats: Supportive, with heating and ventilation available on higher trims.
• Rear seats: Spacious, with excellent legroom and recline functionality. The Tucson is one of the roomiest midsize SUVs in its class.
• Cargo space: With rear seats up, the boot offers 539 litres, expanding to over 1,800 litres when folded flat. Families with prams, groceries, or sporting gear will find plenty of usable space.

Premium Features

Even in mid-range trims, Hyundai equips the Tucson with features usually reserved for pricier rivals:

• Ambient interior lighting
• Dual-zone climate control
• Leather upholstery options
• Panoramic sunroof on high-spec variants

Technology & Infotainment: Keeping Families Connected

Technology is where the 2025 Hyundai Tucson truly shines. Australian families increasingly expect vehicles to double as mobile offices, entertainment hubs, and navigation assistants. Hyundai delivers with a robust infotainment and driver-assistance package.

• Infotainment:
  • 12.3-inch central touchscreen
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto (wired on higher trims for stability)
  • Over-the-air software updates
  • Integrated satellite navigation with real-time traffic
• Digital instrument cluster: Fully configurable, allowing drivers to prioritise maps, driver assistance graphics, or traditional gauges.
• Smartphone integration: Wireless charging pad, multiple USB-C ports, and Hyundai’s Bluelink app for remote vehicle management (lock/unlock, climate pre-conditioning, vehicle tracking).
• Audio system: Premium Bose 8-speaker system available on top trims, delivering crisp sound for road trips.

Safety: Hyundai’s Commitment to Protection

The 2025 Tucson continues Hyundai’s strong focus on safety ratings and driver assistance. Families buying SUVs in Australia prioritise peace of mind, and Hyundai ensures the Tucson competes strongly with rivals.

Standard Safety Features

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction detection
• Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go
• Lane keeping assist and lane following assist
• Blind-spot collision avoidance
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Driver attention monitoring

Advanced Features (higher trims)

• Surround-view camera with 360° visibility
• Remote smart parking assist (drivers can move the car forward or back using the key fob)
• Highway Driving Assist 2 (semi-autonomous lane centring with adaptive cruise)

The Tucson aims for a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, in line with Hyundai’s consistent record in the Australian market.

Performance: Engines & Driving Dynamics

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson offers a variety of powertrains to suit different Australian buyers, from fuel-efficient commuters to performance-minded drivers.

Petrol Engines

• 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol: Produces around 115kW, paired with a 6-speed automatic. Best suited for urban commuting.
• 1.6-litre turbo petrol: Delivers about 132kW and 265Nm, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Offers lively performance and available all-wheel drive.

Diesel Option

• 2.0-litre turbo-diesel: Strong torque (over 400Nm), excellent for towing and highway cruising. Paired with an 8-speed automatic and AWD.

Hybrid & Plug-in Hybrid (International, potential for Australia)

While globally Hyundai offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid Tucsons, availability in Australia remains limited due to market strategy. There are strong indications Hyundai will expand these eco-friendly options locally in the coming years.

Ride & Handling

The Tucson balances comfort with control. Suspension tuning, optimised for Australian roads, absorbs bumps while maintaining stability. AWD models offer added confidence on wet or gravel roads, while steering is light but accurate.

Fuel Efficiency: Everyday Affordability

Fuel economy remains a key buying factor in 2025. Hyundai has tuned each Tucson engine for efficiency.

• 2.0L petrol: ~8.1 L/100km combined
• 1.6T petrol: ~7.4 L/100km combined
• 2.0L diesel: ~6.3 L/100km combined

While not class-leading against hybrids like the Toyota RAV4, the Tucson still provides respectable efficiency across its lineup.

Variants & Pricing in Australia

Hyundai offers the Tucson in several trims for Australia, each catering to different budgets and priorities. Prices vary slightly by state and dealership, but here’s an overview:

• Tucson base model: From around $36,000 drive-away
• Tucson Elite: Adds more tech and comfort, priced around $43,000–$46,000
• Tucson Highlander: Top trim with premium features, starting near $52,000+

Optional extras include AWD, larger alloy wheels, and premium paint finishes. The diesel variant carries a higher price tag but appeals to long-distance drivers and those who tow.

Comparison With Rivals

The Tucson competes directly with some of Australia’s most popular SUVs.

• Toyota RAV4: Leader in hybrid technology, but often has long wait times and higher prices.
• Mazda CX-5: Premium feel with engaging drive dynamics, but slightly less interior space.
• Kia Sportage: Shares a platform with the Tucson, but offers bolder design cues.
• Mitsubishi Outlander: Practical with a plug-in hybrid option, though pricier.

The Tucson strikes a balance of value, features, and style, making it one of the most compelling mid-size SUVs in 2025.

Ownership: Warranty, Service & Running Costs

Hyundai continues to back its vehicles with one of the best ownership packages in Australia.

• Warranty: 5 years/unlimited kilometres
• Service plan: Pre-paid servicing available, with capped-price servicing for transparency
• Resale value: The Tucson holds strong resale thanks to Hyundai’s reputation for reliability and wide dealer network

Insurance costs for the Tucson are generally competitive, sitting lower than premium rivals due to Hyundai’s affordability and safety record.

Who Should Buy the 2025 Hyundai Tucson?

The Tucson appeals to a broad audience, but its sweet spot is Australian families who want a stylish, modern, and safe SUV without overspending.

• Young families needing space for car seats and strollers
• Professionals wanting a tech-forward daily driver
• Retirees looking for comfort, safety, and easy driving
• Drivers in regional areas who value reliability and dealer support

Final Verdict

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson delivers on its promise as a well-rounded family SUV. It doesn’t just compete with segment leaders like the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5—it carves its own identity with futuristic styling, cutting-edge tech, and Hyundai’s customer-focused ownership program.

While it may not offer the fuel efficiency of hybrid-only rivals, the Tucson’s balance of design, space, features, and affordability make it one of the best SUVs Australians can buy in 2025.

For families seeking a safe, stylish, and tech-rich vehicle that won’t break the bank, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson is hard to overlook.