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By Jonathan Crouch

Hyundai's improved Tucson Plug-in Hybrid is hardly inexpensive, but you get a lot in return. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 66

Hyundai's mid-sized SUV, the Tucson, looks more sophisticated in this improved fourth generation form. In this Plug-in Hybrid form, it can go up to 38 miles on a charge and, unlike some rivals, includes the option of four wheel drive, so you'll be well set in the Winter. If you're looking for a PHEV crossover of this kind, it's a car you can't afford to ignore.

Backgroundword count: 177

Hyundai has pushed its Tucson mid-sized SUV further up-market in this model's fourth generation, especially with the car in this improved form. Which means the need for plenty of technology; like the Plug-in Hybrid powertrain used in the flagship model we're going to look at here. It completes what Hyundai still claims is the widest range of powertrains available from any model in this class. Well, there's no full-EV variant - the brand doesn't need to provide that as it has its latest IONIQ 5 offering a full-battery option in the Crossover segment. But you can certainly have just about everything else in a Tucson; anything else petrol-powered anyway. Hyundai doesn't do diesels in SUVs any more. What you can have with mainstream Tucsons is a choice of 1.6 T-GDi petrol variants; a conventional un-electrified option; or a version with MHEV mild hybrid tech; or one with full-Hybrid HEV tech that can run independently on full-battery power, though only for short periods. This PHEV Plug-in version though, can be battery-sustained for far longer. Let's take a look.

Driving Experienceword count: 222

All Tucsons continue to be powered by a 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol engine wedded to some form of electrification - and this one's no exception. In this case, the turbocharged combustion unit is mated to a 91PS electric motor powered by a 13.8kWh battery which, when fully charged, can take you up to 31 miles before the engine cuts in. Drive is sent to all four wheels - unlike some obvious rivals, the Ford Kuga PHEV and Hybrid versions of the Vauxhall Grandland and the Citroen C5 Aircross for instance, which are 2WD-only. And it's all marshalled via an 8-speed auto gearbox with proper cogs, unlike the belt-driven CVT transmission you have to have in rival Toyota RAV4 Plug-in and Suzuki Across models in this class. Typical customers are unlikely to ever want to take this car off road, but should the need for extra 'off piste' traction ever arise, there's a 'Terrain Mode' system which provides settings that vary power delivery to each axle according to the surface you're travelling over. On tarmac, a combined 265PS output gives sprightly performance, despite this PHEV's prodigious 1.9-tonne kerb weight; 62mph from rest takes 8.6s en route to 120mph and the stab of electric torque you get when you put your foot down makes it feel faster, particularly when you activate the provided 'Sport' setting.

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