First Drive: 2025 Hyundai Tucson facelift – Hyundai’s global best-seller, but what about Malaysia?

The Hyundai Tucson nameplate may sound foreign to some, but that’s far from the truth, as the Tucson has been on sale in Malaysia for the better part of 20 years. Yes, the venerable Tucson has been around longer than some Japanese marques.

This C-segment SUV has been around since the early-2000s with the introduction of the first-generation model, codenamed JM. Over the subsequent years, the Tucson’s popularity gradually picked up, especially during the introduction of the second-generation model (LM) by the 2010s, followed by the third-gen model (TL) by the mid-2010s. It was also with the third-gen model that the turbo engine made its debut here.

Overview

Now in its fourth generation, Hyundai Motor Malaysia (HMY) recently launched the 2025 Hyundai Tucson facelift, available across four variants, namely:

Tucson 2.0 Style: RM 143,888
Tucson 1.6T Prime: RM 164,888
Tucson 1.6T Prestige AWD: RM 186,888
Tucson 1.6T HEV Prestige: RM 197,888

During our drive down to Desaru, we got the opportunity to sample the turbocharged variants, in both regular petrol and hybrid forms. But that’s not all, our short drive also allowed us to sample Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel drive variant.

Being a C-segment SUV, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson enters a hotly-contested segment, with its sights set on well-established rivals like the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Proton X70. But given its price point, the Tucson’s competition even includes rivals from different segments, which we will explain below.

The turbo variants feature a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that does 180 PS and 265 Nm, hooked up to a seven-speed dual-clutch (DCT) automatic transmission. As for the hybrid, it gets a six-speed torque converter automatic.

The hybrid, which combines the turbo petrol engine and an electric motor, does a combined system output of 235 PS and 376 Nm – the most powerful Tucson on offer.

Exterior

If you’re hard pressed to differentiate the facelift from the pre-facelift model, we won’t blame you as the Tucson’s facelift exercise is as mild as facelifts go.

Up front, the front grille has been simplified with just three rows (pre-facelift model has four rows), with hidden “Parametric Jewel” LED daytime running lights nestled at the edges. Said LED DRLs feature a softer edges, as opposed to the sharper units on the pre-facelift model. Rounding off the front-end is a reworked lower air intake, though it’s only noticeable if you have both models parked side-by-side.

Changes to the rear-end are a bit more noticeable, especially towards the bottom half. The rear skid plate now spans the full width of the bumper, with repositioned reverse light and rear fog light. The rear Hyundai emblem is also more subtle than before, adopting a flatter design as opposed to the pre-facelift’s 3D-esque design.

Interior

While changes to the exterior is as minimum as facelifts go, at least the interior has been overhauled.

Out goes the waterfall-esque dashboard design, as it now makes way for a far more modern-looking dashboard replete with dual 12.3-inch digital displays – one for the digital instrument cluster and the other is the infotainment display.

There’s also two knobs for air-conditioning, even with temperature reading nestled inside the knobs itself, useful for dual-zone controls. Beneath that are a pair of USB-C connectors, for charging as well as connecting to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Ease of use, especially with the physical knobs, is welcomed. We also appreciate the well laid-out storage compartments and cubby holes, which goes to show that Hyundai engineers actually put some thought when engineering the interior.

What needs some getting used to is the column-mounted shifter, fitted to Prestige variants of the Tucson; the Prime and Style variants get a regular shifter.

Driving Experience

Contrary to its sporty looks, the driving experience of the 2026 Hyundai Tucson is actually quite the opposite.

We started off in the top-spec HEV variant, which offered a surprisingly pliant ride. Rutted roads? Not an issue as the Tucson manages that with ease – better than some of its segment rivals. Its pliant ride is definitely an edge over some of its Japanese rivals, which are either too sporty, or too comfort-biased – the Tucson does both well.

Even high-speed stability is noteworthy, as the Tucson manages to maintain its composure well above our national speed limits, on par with certain German marques.

Keep the Tucson within national speed limits and you’re rewarded with an exceptionally quiet ride – wind and tyre noise aren’t apparent at these sensible speeds. And it’s comfortable too, as the seats offer sufficient bolstering and support.

Power delivery is also very strong, with the Tucson HEV pulling performance figures one wouldn’t normally expect from a hybrid, whilst returning surprisingly low fuel efficiency. We recorded roughly 8.2L/100 km with the hybrid – an above average figure – but bear in mind that we were anything but gentle. Sensible and light-footed drivers should half that figure with ease, we reckon.

As for the HTRAC-equipped Prestige variant, the system is an on-demand-type AWD system, different from rivals with a permanent AWD system, ie Subaru Forester. For the most part, driving the HTRAC-equipped Tucson is similar to the regular FWD variants, albeit with the added assurance that there’s AWD to keep things under control.

Conclusion

As a C-segment SUV, the 2026 Hyundai Tucson is a very accomplished model – it looks superb, ride and handling strikes a decent balance between comfort and playfulness, and the cabin is definitely a decent place to be in.

What most Malaysians would find it hard to digest is the price. With the top-spec Hybrid going for a hair below the RM 200k mark, the Tucson ends up competing with larger rivals such as the Mazda CX-60 (RM 198,900 before on-road costs) – itself offering a more upmarket cabin with a much-coveted rear-wheel drive (RWD) layout.

Even the entry- and mid-spec variants are priced higher than segment rivals, which further emphasize the price discrepancy between CBU and CKD models in the same segment.

It’s not all doom and gloom – Hyundai Motor Malaysia has confirmed that they will commence local assembly (CKD) work for three new SUV and MPV models soon, which hopefully includes the Tucson. With CKD works likely underway, the Tucson will hopefully gain a more competitive selling price, one that truly befits the overall package.