I have the Tucson but I'm disappointed by the Mpg all that extra cost and complexity unless you plug it in all the time, the battery capacity seems too small, and pulling off quick is a bit scary at times with a annoying lag at the outset. UK version Ultimate 4x4 PHEV. P.S I hate the button transmission muscle memory makes me go for the a gear lever. back using my old XC70 more now. Manufacturers take note stop fixing what ain't broke.
A driver might have no issue changing radio and volume thanks to the steering wheel controls, but on a bumpy road touch buttons make it unnecessarily harder for passengers to do these changes. Additionally, even as a driver I prefer to use the volume knob over steering wheel controls. Considering that there is plenty of space for a volume knob in the Tucson, it seems like a pointless cost-saving measure not to include it.
@@GCCarsCA Sorry but if you drive the Tucson for more then a week you more than get use to having controls on the steering wheel. A passenger would have zero issues with the touch buttons and wouldn't be a concern.
While driving you are not supposed to take your eyes from the road messing with the infotainment system anyway. That's what the controls on the steering wheel are there for.
I have owned and driven a Tuscon PHEV for a year and a half. I does self charge if you drive it in sport mode. This seems to be is sort of an aside from using sport mode. There is no mention of using it in sport mode for this purpose in the owners manual, but if you want to add charge to the battery for later use, it can be done.
@@57palmtree Yes, if you drive it in electric mode it depletes the battery down to 13 -15% charge then reverts to hybrid. If you drive in hybrid mode (HEV) it generally holds the battery state of charge at whatever it is when you engage it and if you drive in Sport mode it increases the battery state of charge
As a Tucson HEV top trim owner for 16 months I can say the piano black is not that bad. Just use a cloth every month or so and it is fine. And I am definitely not the cleanest guy in the world. It is a shame you did not get one with the light grey interior, that looks a lot nicer. I never use Sports mode as it turns this dog into a nervous little puppy. The steering does not change, only the pedal response and gear shifts.
Appreciate the insight on the piano black, I would have definitely loved to test the grey interior! And I agree on the sport mode, just keep it in the regular modes and it is great!
Love the video and super helpful! Question for you… at about 10:27 you mention that you tested other PHEV that had an ev mood to self charge… I know that this does not and neither does the sportage…. I did find that the ford escape does have that feature… within the same class (price range) are there others
Thank you! Correct, all other PHEV's I've tested offered a charging mode which the Tucson unfortunately does not have. But another viewer pointed out that you can force the battery to charge by putting the car into sport mode. Although I haven't been able to verify that myself.
I toke a shortage out waiting for 6 month for it to come to Canada it was the top of the line it was so disappointing 3 month later we toke a Tucson out hi bird loved it ordered a plug in ultimate should come in in about 8 months worth the wait
The problem with Mazda is that they dropped the touchscreen feature on their Infotainment system. Now they expect you to control the audio system, CarPlay, and Android Auto with a jog dial on the center console. This forces you to look at the display to see where the cursor is moving when you spin the dial. Rather than just a quick touch with your finger right on the display to know what you are wanting to touch. They might be bringing back touch functionality in 2024, after they received too many complaints.
I find a dial-based infotainment much easier to use without looking. It's consistent, so I only need to know what screen I am in and then I can navigate anywhere without having taking my eyes of the road. A touchscreen on the other hand requires you to visually confirm what you are touching. That being said, I wish Mazda would just offer both.
Have you tested the Tuscon Hybrid? When you test hybrids you shoud do a video on actual fuel economy in city and highway. No one ever does city driving and what to expect.
I have tested this Tucson PHEV, and the Sportage with the non-hybrid drivetrain, but I haven't been behind the wheel of the regular hybrid. I tend to not include proper fuel economy comparisons as that would require standardized testing procedures, something I simply don't have the means or time to implement. Generally speaking, hybrids tend to fare extremely well in the city, beating their highway fuel economy numbers by quite a margin.
Chose this over CX50. The leather seats in the Mazda are very very hard. Not comfortable at all. It is not as roomy inside re headroom unless you lower the seat and reduce the high up suv feeling so many people want. Plus the Tucson ultimate is a hybrid. Much smoother ride in the Tucson. In my mind there is no comparison. Hyundai wins plus 5 year warranty.
Well, it's an important feature for me. But it's not like that was the only reason why I prefer the Sportage over the Tucson. I generally like the Sportage more.
The layout of the console interior is ridiculously old fashioned and dated. Nothing cutting age nor shape design wise in the cockpit. Way too conservative. The steering wheel is blind and boring. It's a magnificent car from the outside though. Truly is.
TUCSON vs SPORTAGE - Which one would you take? Or do you not care about hybridization and would rather go a with a completely different SUV?
I have the Tucson but I'm disappointed by the Mpg all that extra cost and complexity unless you plug it in all the time, the battery capacity seems too small, and pulling off quick is a bit scary at times with a annoying lag at the outset. UK version Ultimate 4x4 PHEV. P.S I hate the button transmission muscle memory makes me go for the a gear lever. back using my old XC70 more now. Manufacturers take note stop fixing what ain't broke.
What buttons are you having trouble with. There is a volume button on the steering wheel and you can change the station too.
A driver might have no issue changing radio and volume thanks to the steering wheel controls, but on a bumpy road touch buttons make it unnecessarily harder for passengers to do these changes. Additionally, even as a driver I prefer to use the volume knob over steering wheel controls.
Considering that there is plenty of space for a volume knob in the Tucson, it seems like a pointless cost-saving measure not to include it.
@@GCCarsCA Sorry but if you drive the Tucson for more then a week you more than get use to having controls on the steering wheel. A passenger would have zero issues with the touch buttons and wouldn't be a concern.
While driving you are not supposed to take your eyes from the road messing with the infotainment system anyway. That's what the controls on the steering wheel are there for.
I have owned and driven a Tuscon PHEV for a year and a half. I does self charge if you drive it in sport mode. This seems to be is sort of an aside from using sport mode. There is no mention of using it in sport mode for this purpose in the owners manual, but if you want to add charge to the battery for later use, it can be done.
Oh that's great to know, appreciate the insight!
Really!!! Thanks.
@@57palmtree Yes, if you drive it in electric mode it depletes the battery down to 13 -15% charge then reverts to hybrid. If you drive in hybrid mode (HEV) it generally holds the battery state of charge at whatever it is when you engage it and if you drive in Sport mode it increases the battery state of charge
Yes I found that out just by trial and error, and it charges quite well in sport.
As a Tucson HEV top trim owner for 16 months I can say the piano black is not that bad. Just use a cloth every month or so and it is fine. And I am definitely not the cleanest guy in the world. It is a shame you did not get one with the light grey interior, that looks a lot nicer.
I never use Sports mode as it turns this dog into a nervous little puppy. The steering does not change, only the pedal response and gear shifts.
Appreciate the insight on the piano black, I would have definitely loved to test the grey interior! And I agree on the sport mode, just keep it in the regular modes and it is great!
I really appreciate that you replied to my comments so I subscribed to your channel thanks again
Love the video and super helpful! Question for you… at about 10:27 you mention that you tested other PHEV that had an ev mood to self charge… I know that this does not and neither does the sportage…. I did find that the ford escape does have that feature… within the same class (price range) are there others
Thank you! Correct, all other PHEV's I've tested offered a charging mode which the Tucson unfortunately does not have. But another viewer pointed out that you can force the battery to charge by putting the car into sport mode. Although I haven't been able to verify that myself.
The battery is charging fairly quickly in sport mode.
I toke a shortage out waiting for 6 month for it to come to Canada it was the top of the line it was so disappointing
3 month later we toke a Tucson out hi bird loved it ordered a plug in ultimate should come in in about 8 months worth the wait
Congrats on your Tucson!
The problem with Mazda is that they dropped the touchscreen feature on their Infotainment system. Now they expect you to control the audio system, CarPlay, and Android Auto with a jog dial on the center console. This forces you to look at the display to see where the cursor is moving when you spin the dial. Rather than just a quick touch with your finger right on the display to know what you are wanting to touch. They might be bringing back touch functionality in 2024, after they received too many complaints.
I find a dial-based infotainment much easier to use without looking. It's consistent, so I only need to know what screen I am in and then I can navigate anywhere without having taking my eyes of the road. A touchscreen on the other hand requires you to visually confirm what you are touching. That being said, I wish Mazda would just offer both.
I don’t understand if it wasn’t piano black it wouldn’t be greasy or is it still greasy but you don’t see the grease
Exactly, human skin is inherently oily, so why chose a material that makes showcases just how much oil and sweat is on our hands?
Have you tested the Tuscon Hybrid? When you test hybrids you shoud do a video on actual fuel economy in city and highway. No one ever does city driving and what to expect.
I have tested this Tucson PHEV, and the Sportage with the non-hybrid drivetrain, but I haven't been behind the wheel of the regular hybrid. I tend to not include proper fuel economy comparisons as that would require standardized testing procedures, something I simply don't have the means or time to implement.
Generally speaking, hybrids tend to fare extremely well in the city, beating their highway fuel economy numbers by quite a margin.
Best in class
It's a really good SUV!
Chose this over CX50. The leather seats in the Mazda are very very hard. Not comfortable at all. It is not as roomy inside re headroom unless you lower the seat and reduce the high up suv feeling so many people want. Plus the Tucson ultimate is a hybrid. Much smoother ride in the Tucson. In my mind there is no comparison. Hyundai wins plus 5 year warranty.
Mazda really needs to offer more hybrids. Glad you're enjoying your Tucson!
To choose a car because it has a volume knob makes no sense
Well, it's an important feature for me. But it's not like that was the only reason why I prefer the Sportage over the Tucson. I generally like the Sportage more.
I test drive both and chose this over CX50, way better
The Tucson is definitely more practical!
The layout of the console interior is ridiculously old fashioned and dated. Nothing cutting age nor shape design wise in the cockpit. Way too conservative.
The steering wheel is blind and boring.
It's a magnificent car from the outside though. Truly is.
None. Can't get one for 2 years
That's true unfortunately...
A 2 year wait for a plug-in Tucson? Or a 2 year wait for a Tucson period? Either way that's a long dang time. Are we talking Canada or US?
@57palmtree plug in, Ontario. If you can afford it, spend the little extra for an outlander phev. You'll get it much quicker.
No offence mate but how are we supposed to scale the size and feel of the car with someone who is 3 feet tall?
Just imagine me stacked like 3 times so you can approximate how the average 15 ft tall man would look.
@@GCCarsCA Ha very good. even feel a bit busted!