2023 ECORUN TEST DRIVE—HYUNDAI TUCSON PHEV

By Éric Descarries

Perhaps not the most spectacular of the group’s vehicles, the small Tucson SUV nonetheless represents the taste of many consumers on a budget (this Tucson has a base price of around $47,000). However, this hybrid-electric SUV has the advantage of being plug-in, which means that the vehicle runs only on the electric package for the first 40 to 50 kilometres (provided the battery has been charged at the outset). Once the battery runs out of charge, the regular mechanics take over, although the hybrid configuration continues to improve fuel economy. By the time I got behind the wheel, the initial charge had been used up, but in “regular” hybrid mode, I still managed an interesting average of 5.8 l/100 km (according to the on-board computer). This Hyundai runs on Michelin Primacy A/S tires.