I think overall, waiting for the next model year to come out is a good idea. Look up the Kia Sportage hybrid coming out, it might give you a clue of what is to come.
Can’t give you the comparison data , but have about 1000 miles on my PHEV. The only way I know the ICE kicks in is from the dash indicators. Soo quiet. Love the vehicle!! For highway driving, the smart cruise with automatic adjust to allowed speed and lane keeping assist make the highway drives so much easier. I’ve made the 200 mile round trip to family 3 times in the last 2 weeks. The drive assist features are awesome traveling thru NY metro area traffic.Hello all,
I've been a Honda Civic owner for decades, but am now looking to get a Hyundai Tucson. Were it not for COVID, I probably would have bought one already. I have lurked on these forums for several weeks, and have decided to become a member and join the conversation.
Just before the Delta variant of COVID hit, I had had a chance to test drive a Tucson Limited HEV and was quite impressed with it. Unfortunately, I was only able to drive it in a noisy (city) area, so I didn't get a real feel for how quiet it might be. I have not had the opportunity to drive its plug-in counterpart at all.
Could anyone here who has driven both the HEV and the PHEV answer a few questions for me?
Thanks to COVID and the associated supply shortages, etc., I will probably wait until the 2023 model comes out. (That will also give Hyundai a chance to iron out any kinks from the current year's version.) Even so, I am enjoying window shopping and dreaming about my next vehicle.
- Is the PHEV much quieter than the HEV overall? Is one or the other appreciatively louder when the ICE kicks in?
- Is the transition between the use of the battery alone and the ICE equally smooth in each of the vehicles?
- How different does the braking feel with the PHEV in comparison to the HEV?
- I've read that the MPG is slightly worse when the PHEV uses the ICE when compared to the HEV. Other than this and the answers to the above questions, have you noticed any other major differences between the two versions of the vehicle?
- If you were to buy a new Tucson right now, knowing what you currently know about both versions, which would you buy and why?
Thanks,
Lynn
I can confirm it is NOT "a lot louder", though I suppose it's a case of "in the 'ears' of the beholder"!My primary question remaining is whether the vehicle is a lot louder when using the ICE than when operating solely under battery power.
LOL - thanks! In 3 months of being on this forum, first time anyone has mentioned it!By the way, 222cson, I love your moniker.
Also worthwhile keeping an eye on tax credits in deciding when to pull the trigger on purchase. Currently in US, PHEV gets a $6500 federal tax credit. There is a $1000 federal credit towards installing a level 2 charger plus $300 from my electric utility in CT. Proposed changes will reduce the credit for the Tucson PHEV.Hi Mungo544,
Thanks for the pointer to the upcoming Sportage. I like its internal aesthetics, and the larger, adjacent screens are sweet. I would love for the Tucson to adopt those aspects of the Sportage. I guess time will tell.
The video left me curious about more some performance aspects of the new hybrid. According to Kia's website, it is supposed to make 39MPG combined, and have 226HP and AWD.
If the Tucson is not available when I need it, or if it gets out of my price range, the Sportage hybrid is a vehicle I would look into further.
Thanks,
Lynn
Oh, sorry - also meant to point out ... the PHEV is heavier (by a few hundred pounds) and has a smaller fuel tank than the HEV, so it has less range.Thank you for confirming and elaborating on MLS's comments about the noise level (or lack thereof). I find it astonishing -- in a very good way -- that it is so quiet. I am really looking forward someday to driving in rural areas in my Tucson.
Joy,
Lynn
I don't think the range difference will be much of a problem for me. Even the PHEV has a slightly larger range than what I am used to.Oh, sorry - also meant to point out ... the PHEV is heavier (by a few hundred pounds) and has a smaller fuel tank than the HEV, so it has less range.
Hey LynnHello Pbm,
Thank you for your response.
The price difference is not the deal breaker for me; I'm just trying to find out what the relative subjective experience of driving the two models of the Tucson.
I can't road test the PHEV because there are personal circumstances which would make catching COVID extremely dangerous both for me and for my relatives; I am therefore social isolating as much as possible. Also, the PHEV isn't even sold in my state, and it would probably be very difficult to find it in stock to test drive even in the nearby states. I am therefore considering doing something I have never done in my life: Purchasing a car without having test-driven the model I am interested in. That is why I am asking questions on this site: to make as informed a decision as possible.
I have already researched many of the pros and cons (mostly pros) of the PHEV over the HEV. What I am asking for here is information that I have been unable to ascertain in my research. On paper, the PHEV looks far superior to the HEV, but if (for example) the regenerative brakes make slowing down very jerky, I want to know about that. Also, if my current car dies (it is well maintained, but it is twelve years old and has its share of miles) and the PHEV won't be available for some time, I want to know whether I should just buy the HEV or whether it would be worth getting a loaner until I can lay hands on the PHEV.
In normal times, I would simply test drive the PHEV and then order whichever model I preferred. Unfortunately, these times are anything but normal.
Joy,
Lynn
Hey LynnI don't think the range difference will be much of a problem for me. Even the PHEV has a slightly larger range than what I am used to.
I'm surprised no one else had commented about your choice of names here; that makes me all the happier that I brought it up.
Joy,
Lynn