Picture this: your weekday trips to the Tinley Park Metra station, Orland Square and the kids’ practices happen on electricity, and the gas engine only wakes up for the long drive to Naperville or a weekend at the Indiana Dunes. That’s the idea behind the Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid, and you can drive one at Watson Family Hyundai, 8101 W 159th St in Tinley Park.
Below you’ll find how the plug-in system works, what charging looks like in a Chicago winter, how the two trims differ, and how it compares with the regular Tucson Hybrid.
| Seats | Five |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | Turbocharged 1.6L engine, electric motor and 13.8 kWh battery; 268 combined hp, 271 lb-ft |
| Drive | HTRAC all-wheel drive standard |
| Efficiency/Range | Up to 32 miles all-electric; 77 MPGe and 35 mpg combined in hybrid mode (EPA est.) |
| Best for | Drivers with home charging and short daily trips who still want gas for road trips |
If your daily loop to work, school or the Oak Forest station is under about 30 miles, much of it can run on battery power alone when you charge overnight.
You get a taste of electric driving, quiet and instant torque, without worrying about range on a trip to Midewin or Wisconsin. When the battery runs low, it simply drives as a hybrid.
Standard HTRAC AWD and the instant pull of the electric motor help on slushy side streets, and you can precondition the cabin with Blue Link before you unplug.
The Tucson Plug-in Hybrid pairs a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with a stronger electric motor and a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. Hyundai rates the combined output at 268 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, sent to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic. With a full charge, the EPA estimates up to 32 miles of electric driving. Once the battery is depleted, the system behaves like a conventional hybrid, recapturing energy as you slow down and returning an EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined.
The appeal is flexibility. Plug in at night and most errands use no gas; skip a charge and nothing changes except the fuel gauge. Hyundai lists a total driving range of several hundred miles on a full tank and full battery, so a trip down I-57 to Champaign or out I-80 to the Quad Cities needs no planning around chargers.
You can charge from a standard 120-volt household outlet overnight, but a 240-volt Level 2 charger in your garage is the easier everyday setup; Hyundai estimates roughly two hours for a full charge on Level 2. Hyundai says current models include a charging cable that works with both standard and 240-volt outlets, so ask our team what comes with the vehicle you choose. Public Level 2 chargers at shopping centers and along I-80 and I-57 work too.
Cold weather shortens electric range on any plug-in vehicle, because the battery is less efficient and heating the cabin uses energy. A few habits help: keep the vehicle plugged in on frigid nights, use Blue Link to warm the cabin while it’s still connected to power, and rely on heated seats rather than blasting the heater. When the electric miles run out, the gas engine and HTRAC AWD keep you moving.
Hyundai offers the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid in two well-equipped trims, both with standard HTRAC AWD. Confirm exact equipment on the window sticker.
| Trim | What you get | Pick it if… |
|---|---|---|
| SEL | A 12.3-inch screen with cable-free phone projection, Hyundai SmartSense, heated front seats, HTRAC AWD and the full plug-in powertrain | You want electric-first driving at the most approachable step |
| Limited | Adds premium touches such as a head-up display, upgraded seating materials, Bose audio and more advanced parking and blind-spot camera tech | You want every comfort and convenience feature in a plug-in |
By the numbers (per Hyundai):
Figures vary by configuration and model year, and real-world range depends on temperature and driving style.
The Tucson Hybrid needs no charging at all, offers more trims, a bit more cargo room and EPA estimates as high as 38 mpg combined. It’s the easier choice for apartment dwellers and street parkers.
When you have a home outlet and your miles are mostly local, an all-electric SUV like the IONIQ 5 or Kona Electric skips gas entirely. Our EV hub and EV tools help you estimate charging and range.
Our team will walk you through charging setup, the MyHyundai app and Blue Link before you leave, and explain how Hyundai Shopper Assurance keeps the buying process clear. Check the EV incentives page for programs that may apply to plug-in vehicles and home chargers. Our service department handles plug-in hybrid maintenance with factory-trained technicians; you can book a visit online. Hyundai’s warranty includes 10 years or 100,000 miles of coverage on the battery and hybrid system components, plus Hyundai’s powertrain and new-vehicle limited coverage.
The EPA estimates up to 32 miles of all-electric driving on a full charge. Real-world range depends on temperature, speed and climate control use, and it drops in cold weather. After that, the Tucson runs as a hybrid.
Not strictly. A standard 120-volt outlet can recharge the battery overnight for many drivers. A 240-volt Level 2 charger is faster and more convenient; Hyundai estimates roughly two hours for a full charge.
It still drives normally as a hybrid with standard AWD, and Hyundai estimates 35 mpg combined in that mode. You’d simply miss out on the electric miles that make a plug-in worthwhile.
Yes. Hyundai currently lists the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid in SEL and Limited trims. Availability changes with production and allocation, so call us or check the inventory above to see what’s on our lot.
Cold temperatures reduce battery efficiency and range. Keeping the vehicle plugged in overnight and preconditioning the cabin while connected helps preserve electric miles. Charging in a garage is easier on the battery than charging outdoors on frigid nights.
A hybrid needs no charging and suits anyone. A plug-in hybrid suits drivers with reliable home charging and short daily trips who still take long road trips. An EV suits drivers ready to charge regularly; our EV education page explains the trade-offs.
Programs change often and depend on the vehicle, your situation and whether you buy or lease. Visit our EV incentives page and current Hyundai offers, and our team will explain what applies when you shop.
Yes, Hyundai rates it up to 2,000 pounds with trailer brakes. That covers a small utility trailer or bike trailer. Towing will use more battery and fuel than normal driving.
Our store on 159th Street is easy to reach from Harlem Avenue and Oak Park Avenue, so plug-in shoppers from Tinley Park, Orland Park, Oak Forest, Mokena and Frankfort are close by. Matteson, Lockport and Joliet drivers come in on I-80 and I-57, and Kankakee and Bourbonnais are a straight run up I-57. From Naperville, Aurora, Downers Grove or Chicago, I-355 and the Tri-State bring you here quickly.
Drive the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid and ask us anything about charging at home.
8101 W 159th St
Tinley Park, IL 60477
Sales: 708-726-4119
Service: 708-742-7612
Parts: 708-773-6254
