Hyundai Tucson Mild Hybrid - will you notice the difference?

The Hyundai Tucson has recently undergone a facelift followed by a Mild Hybrid engine. What does it mean? As it turns out, not all hybrids are the same.

Hyundai Tucson with such a drive, it is technically a hybrid, because it has an additional electric motor, but it performs very different functions than in traditional hybrids. He cannot steer the wheels.

Details in a moment.

Tucson after visiting a beautician

Hyundai Tucson he hasn't changed in any significant way. The improvements brought about by the facelift are exceptionally subtle. People who already liked its look will definitely like it.

The headlights have changed and now feature LED technology combined with a new grille. LEDs also hit the rear. We also have new bumpers and exhaust pipes.

Here it is - cosmetics.

Tucson electronics upgrade

Dashboard with facelift Tucson received a new infotainment system module with a 7-inch screen and support for CarPlay and Android Auto. In the older version of the equipment, we will get an 8-inch screen, which additionally has navigation with 3D maps and a 7-year subscription to real-time traffic monitoring.

The materials have also changed - now they are a little better.

First of all, in new hyundai tucson a more modern package of Smart Sense security systems has been added. It includes Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention System and Speed ​​Limit Warning. There's also a suite of 360-degree cameras and active cruise control.

New Tucson it still has a large luggage compartment with a capacity of 513 liters. With the rear seat folded down, we get almost 1000 liters more space.

And again - there are changes, especially in the field of electronics, but there is no revolution here. So let's look at the drive.

How does a "mild hybrid" work?

Let's move on to the previously mentioned details. Soft hybrid. What is it, how does it work and what is it all for?

A mild hybrid is a system designed to reduce fuel consumption. This is not a hybrid in the Prius or Ioniq reasoning - Hyundai Tucson it cannot run on an electric motor. Anyway, there is no electric motor to drive the wheels.

There is a 48-volt electrical system with a separate 0,44 kWh battery and a small engine called a mild hybrid starter-generator (MHSG) that connects directly to the timing gear. Thanks to this, it can act both as a generator and as a starter for a 185 hp diesel engine.

What do we get from this? First, the same engine, but with the added mild hybrid system, should consume 7% less fuel. The internal combustion engine with the Start & Stop system can be switched off earlier and longer, then it will start faster. While driving, at low acceleration, the MHSG system will unload the engine, and if accelerated strongly, it can add up to 12 kW, or about 16 hp.

The battery of the 48-volt system is relatively small, but also only supports the described system. It charges during braking and always has enough energy to improve acceleration or make the Start & Stop system run smoother.

Fuel consumption in the urban cycle should be 6,2-6,4 l / 100 km, in the extra-urban cycle 5,3-5,5 l / 100 km, and an average of about 5,6 l / 100 km.

Do you feel it while driving?

If you don't know what to look for and what to look at, no.

However, when we drive around the city, the engine actually turns off a little earlier, even before we stop, and when we want to move, it immediately wakes up. This is very good, because in cars with a classic start-stop system, we often find ourselves in a situation where we drive up to an intersection, stop, but immediately seeing a gap, join the movement. Actually, we want to turn on, but we can’t, because the engine is just starting - just a second or two delays, but this can be important.

In a car with a mild hybrid system, this effect does not occur because the engine can wake up faster and immediately to a slightly higher rpm.

Another aspect of driving such a "hybrid" My Tucson there is also an additional 16 hp. In ordinary life, we would not feel them - and if so, then only as a placebo effect. However, the idea is to add gas response to the diesel engine, reminiscent of classic hybrids.

So, at low speed, add gas, Hyundai Tucson accelerates immediately. The electric motor maintains throttle response and engine operation in the lower rpm range more than at 185 hp, suddenly we get over 200.

However, I am not convinced by the impact of this system on fuel economy. The manufacturer himself spoke about 7%, i.e. at, say, 7 l / 100 km without the MOH system, fuel consumption should be in the region of 6,5 l / 100 km. To be honest, we didn't feel any difference. Therefore, the surcharge for such a "mild hybrid" should be seen as a surcharge for better Start&Stop performance and throttle response, and not as a goal for greater fuel economy.

How much will we pay extra for a hybrid? Hyundai Tucson Mild Hybrid price

Hyundai gives you the opportunity to choose from 4 equipment levels - Classic, Comfort, Style and Premium. The engine version we are testing is available for purchase with only the top two options.

Prices start from PLN 153 with Style equipment. Premium is already about 990 thousand. PLN is more expensive. System Soft hybrid requires an additional payment of PLN 4 PLN.

Gentle Hyundai Tucson facelift, subtle changes

W Hyundai Tucson no revolution took place. It looks a little better on the outside, the electronics on the inside are a little better, and that's probably enough to keep this model selling very well.

MHEV version technically this is a big change, but not physically necessary. It's worth paying extra if you don't like the Start&Stop system, as you won't be disturbed at all here. If you do a lot of city driving, you might notice some savings too, but then why would you choose a diesel?