This Is The Used Hybrid SUV To Buy If You Have A Budget Of $20,000

If you’re looking for an SUV to kick things off in 2025, you should touch base on some available used hybrid SUVs. Buying new isn’t bad, but some of these two- or three-year-old hybrids look like steals when it comes to their fuel economy, standard features, and abundance of interior space. If you’re searching for an SUV, you’re likely aiming for these three factors.

The great thing about hybrids is that many don’t cost an arm and a leg. While there are plenty of affordable new models, there are even more affordable models used, and this isn’t talking about some used cars from the 2010s. The perfect amount to go shopping for a used hybrid SUV seems to be $20,000. Not because you’ll be spending that much, but it gives you some wiggle room, and you’ll likely go home with some leftover cash and a hybrid SUV. One hybrid SUV, in particular, is one that should be on many people’s radars and may be the winner of hybrid SUVs to pick up today.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Hyundai and other authoritative sources, including EPA and ConsumerReports. Some photos are of the standard Tucson’s interior, which shares the same interior design as the Hybrid model.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Has A Used Price Of As Low As $18,175

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is a solid hybrid SUV to get yourself into, and there are several reasons for that. For starters, ConsumerReports lists the average retail price at $18,175 to $25,050. That’s getting close to and above the budget, but the great thing about shopping for used cars is that you should always haggle some of the price off. Well, that’s unless the seller is actually selling it for an honest and respectable price, but this isn’t typically seen in the car world… So try to knock two thousand off the asking price. In all seriousness, Hyundai offers the Tucson Hybrid in three trims: Blue, SEL, and Limited. It’s very likely its base trim, the Blue, will be the example sitting in the $18,000s. People tend to get the higher trims with more features, but you may want this one instead because it does something the other trims can’t do, which you’ll learn about in a minute.

Powered By A 1.6-Liter Turbocharged Hybrid Engine

Hyundai offers the Tucson platform in three setups: non-electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid share the same engine but different configurations. Both house the 1.6-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder hybrid engine. The performance is where things change due to the different sizes of batteries. For the 2022 Tucson Hybrid, it delivers 226 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Tucson Hybrid comes standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system. It doesn’t look like Hyundai set this hybrid to cater to towing, but it offers a respectable max towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Performance Specifications

It’s More Efficient Than Its 2025 Model

Hyundai introduced the Tucson back in 2005, with the 2022 model being the first to house a hybrid powertrain. It’s currently in its fourth generation, with the 2025 year receiving a facelift, with most changes being seen on the exterior, interior, and technology. One area in which the 2025 model dipped down was its fuel economy and range. The base trim on the 2022 to 2025 stays the same, offering 38 MPG in the city, highway, and combined. The starter trims in the last four years offer an overall driving range of 521 miles. The areas that changed in the newer Tucson Hybrid are the fuel economy and range in the higher trims. The 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid SEL, N-Line, and Limited offer a combined fuel economy of 35 MPG and an overall driving range of 480 miles. The fuel economy and range are better on the older years of the fourth generation, offering a combined fuel economy of 37 MPG and 507 miles. It may not be that much, but it’s worth mentioning that the higher trims on the 2022 model are better in range and efficiency.

2022 Vs. 2025 Tucson Hybrids (Fuel Economy And Range)

A Cabin That Was Designed Around Openness And Serenity

If you’re looking into picking up an SUV, you’re likely shooting for some added space for extra comfort. The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid brings just that, offering an adequate amount of space for each passenger. Regarding the headroom, the front row receives 38.1 to 40.1 inches, with the panoramic sunroof limiting it ever so slightly. The Tucson Hybrid is only a two-row seater, with the rear passengers having 38.7 to 39.5 inches of space. The legroom also keeps things comfortable, offering around 38 inches in the front and 41 inches in the rear.

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Interior Dimensions

A lot of the time, automotive manufacturers can use their vehicles’ space not only for comfort but also for cargo. The total interior volume without the panoramic sunroof of the 2022 Tucson Hybrid is 146.7 cubic feet, and the passenger interior volume comes out to 107.9 cubic feet of space. With the rear seats up, the 2022 Tucson Hybrid offers a maximum cargo capacity of 41.3 cubic feet. If you were to fold the rear seats down, it almost doubles in size, offering 80.0 cubic feet of space.

2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Cargo Capacity

Standard Features Encapsulating Convenience

With the 2022 Tucson platform entering its fourth generation, there were many updates and changes, pulling in some incredible standard features. Hyundai keeps things simple and modest on the Tucson Hybrid, with examples of the broad ridge of the dash blending effortlessly with the doors, looking to be one piece.

The second-row seating features fold-and-dive functionality for the rear cabin to optimize cargo and passenger convenience. The base trim comes standard with cloth seating, which can be upgraded with elevated leather upholstery on the higher trims, such as the Limited. The standard features seen throughout the 2022 Tucson Hybrid may go unnoticeable, but you start to realize the attention to detail with some of its added technology.

Equipped With Hyundai’s Latest Technologies

While the 2025 Tucson Hybrid received a little overhaul with its technology, the 2022 year still comes equipped with some modern tech. The Tucson Hybrid comes standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but can be upgraded to a 10.25-inch screen. The upgraded infotainment screen offers built-in navigation, climate control, and many other systems. The Tucson is the first to offer Hyundai’s digital key, allowing you to control selected vehicle systems through a smartphone.

Regarding safety, the Tucson Hybrid utilizes Hyundai’s standard smart sense safety features, including lane keeping assists, high beam assist, driver attention warning, rear occupant alert, and forward collision avoidance. Hyundai offers additional safety features to be added to the Tucson Hybrid.

A Budget-Friendly Hybrid That’s Still A Part Of The Current Gen

It’s worth noting that the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is still part of the current generation. While the 2025 model received various exterior and interior changes, the older model is still a solid hybrid SUV to buy. Fuel economy seems to be this compact crossover hybrid SUV’s strong suit, practicality beating the newest year. The competitive fuel economy is still relevant after debuting five years ago and is just one perk that comes with the Tucson Hybrid.

The interior space can make or break a selling point on any SUV, and for the Tucson being a smaller SUV, it still provides adequate space for the front and rear rows, along with the cargo. Ultimately, this is considered a budget-friendly SUV, but it looks more like a steal for what it offers and its price range. If you’re interested in this hybrid SUV, you can expect it to sit around $18,000 to $25,000 but don’t forget to bargain a couple of grand off the asking price.