I was looking for a new car, and I drive at least 20,000 km per year, so petrol cars have become too expensive for me — I just can’t handle the fuel costs anymore. I also constantly worry about fuel consumption. Charging infrastructure isn’t suitable for me either, so I focused on hybrid vehicles. As for Chinese options, they’re still relatively new and haven’t been proven over time, so I decided to stick with Japanese or Korean models.
With a budget of around AED 20,000 (whether monthly or upfront), most Japanese options were base models from Toyota and Honda with very basic features. Their comfort and insulation were underwhelming, especially compared to the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. After a lot of research and browsing car forums, I realized that even Toyota and Honda hybrids have their own issues — in the end, it really comes down to luck. So, I settled on the Tucson. I had trouble with pricing and offers, and eventually ended up buying it from another city and registering it myself.
Space-wise, it’s great for families. The seats are wide and supportive, especially for the legs. The rear seats are nicely elevated, so you don’t feel like you’re sitting too low, but they are a bit firm, which might be uncomfortable on long trips. Performance is excellent. The car responds quickly, and one of my main concerns — the transition between petrol and electric — turned out to be surprisingly smooth. Once the engine warms up, you can barely feel when it kicks in. Even when you let off the accelerator, the regenerative braking doesn’t feel harsh — it’s very natural. Since it has a 6-speed gearbox, the driving experience feels very close to a conventional petrol car.
As for fuel economy — it’s impressive, Alhamdulillah. The display shows between 4 to 5 liters per 100 km, and I plan to confirm it on a proper road trip soon. The cabin insulation is good, handling is solid, and the L2 driving assistance system makes long-distance drives much easier — it really helps. Of course, the car isn’t perfect. My biggest complaint is the central screen — it has thick black bezels and doesn’t support Apple CarPlay, which is annoying. Storage options inside the car are limited — there isn’t even a sunglasses holder. The rear A/C has no separate controls, though cooling is sufficient. The headlights aren’t the best either, especially in lit areas, but they do the job in darker roads.
In summary: the Tucson Hybrid is a smart and balanced choice, especially for those who drive a lot and want an economical, comfortable car without the complications of a fully electric vehicle or the price premium of Japanese hybrids.
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