Hybrids are usually a brand’s way of introducing electrified mobility to the people. Hyundai Motor Philippines had a different strategy though. After launching their entries in key segments, they went ahead and brought in their brand’s flagship award-winning EV – the Hyundai Ioniq 5 in 2023. It was followed by the Ioniq 6 in the same year, then the high-performance Ioniq 5 N in early 2024.
It looked like Hyundai wanted people to see and experience the pinnacle of their engineering first before toning it down to what is more attainable. Just a few months after the Ioniq 5 N, they pulled the sheets on the Tucson Hybrid and Santa Fe Hybrid. If you’re thinking it’s a notch down in terms of performance and excitement, you’re both right and wrong. They may look like mere powertrain swaps but just like the flagship offerings, they reinforce Hyundai’s ethos of giving people freedom of movement while having meaningful experiences.
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
The Tucson has long been a unique offering in the market because of its diesel powertrain that gives it so much torque that appeals to many Filipinos. Some might raise an eyebrow with the electrified Tucson replacing its diesel engine for a gasoline one, but do not fret. The gasoline engine paired to the hybrid system is turbocharged, that’s why the total output is a formidable 235 ps and 367 Nm of torque. You won’t miss the diesel engine.
Hyundai’s hybrid system is smart as it knows when to utilize the electric and combustion engine, depending on the driving situation. If you’ve started the car, accelerating slowly, or at a low speed, it will utilize only the electric motor, saving you fuel. It will activate the turbocharged gasoline engine if you’re doing a hard acceleration for overtake, taking on an uphill road, or if the charge of the batteries aren’t enough to propel the Tucson alone anymore. Cruising even at a high speed will use the electric motors only, though it depends on the angle of the road if its upwards or not. There’s also regenerative braking where energy during braking is cycled back to the batteries to charge it. This is useful on the highways but more during downhill runs as it also helps slow down the car.
What’s more, it delivers a solid 16 km/l fuel consumption overall based on US EPA estimates. That’s for both city and highway driving which is mighty impressive for a crossover of this size. Hyundai also retained the 6-speed automatic unlike other hybrids in the market, giving the Tucson Hybrid a quicker response.
But apart from being an efficient crossover, the 6-speed automatic gives the Tucson more soul compared to other hybrids in the Philippines. It allows for a more engaging drive during spirited driving wherever you choose to do it. The uphill to Baguio, the luscious curves of Marilaque, or the steep hills of Timberland will certainly put a smile on your face if you’re behind the wheel of the Tucson Hybrid.
Of course, you’re not always in a spirited drive. That’s why Hyundai went ahead and put the Hyundai Smartsense into the Tucson Hybrid, something that was also inherited by the non-electrified variants. Features like Forward Collision Avoidance Assist and Blind Spot View Monitor are very helpful inside the city especially in congested roads or during rush hour. Maneuvering in tight roads and parking are also easier because of the Forward, Side, and Reverse Parking Sensors, Surround View Monitor, and Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance Assist. Highway driving was also made safer thanks to the Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, for those now-often moments of heavy traffic in our expressways, together with Lane Following Assist and Lane Keeping Assist.
Electrifying the Hyundai Tucson is no mere engine swap. Hyundai made conscious and smart decisions to make it just as fun to drive, improved its safety, all while delivering on its promise of better fuel economy.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
Hyundai’s hybrid system also made its way to their newly redesigned SUV, the Santa Fe. It was designed to appeal to the outdoorsy crowd with its boxy shape, new cabin layout, and subtle tricks that make it more suitable for the adventurous.
For starters, the Santa Fe capitalized on its shape as a signature. Its huge silhouette was complemented by straight lines even on the front face. The DRL lighting are H patterns of different sizes and orientations, along with the H pattern on the taillight at the back. There are so few curves on its exterior that it really stands out when seen on the road.
The biggest difference of the Santa Fe over its rivals in the segment is Hyundai’s focus on the tailgate. They insisted on a tailgate that’s wide, tall, and low at the same time. Basically a huge opening. The tailgate was designed around it which is why it only has straight lines and a wide rear glass – a far deviation from the rest of the Hyundai lineup. This allows for easier loading and unloading of cargo and other belongings but its main objective, according to Hyundai, is that it promotes itself to be a hangout spot.
Open up the tailgate, set up a small table, and you instantly have your own picnic in the wild. You can also fold the third-row seats and second-row seats flat for a generous sleeping area with an inflatable bed. The Santa Fe’s straight lines on the tailgate also make it easy to be utilized together with a tent so that you have more room. If not, the big size of the tailgate can be a decent cover against the rain or harsh sun. Don’t worry about temperature because both sides of the third row have a side air vent and they have their own air blower control so you can enjoy nature without sweating a lot.
Another design marvel from Hyundai is the hidden handle on the left C pillar. This gives you something to grab onto, while getting yourself higher to reach the roof rails. You can just step on the rear wheel, grab on the handle, pull yourself up, and you’ll have enough view of the roof and whatever you put on it.
The Santa Fe Hybrid is just as good in closed door activities. Our main concern in the Philippines – heat – is negligible here thanks to the Triple-Zone Climate Control. The driver, front passenger, and second row occupants can all have different temperatures in their aircon setting for a more comfortable ride. What parents will appreciate is that the second row’s air control is only on the center console so your kids won’t be touching it endlessly when you’re not looking. All USB ports are Type-C as well, then there are a lot of cup and bottle holders in the cabin. Hyundai said there are a total of 16 – 14 cup holders and 4 bottle holders, but slim bottles can fit in those cup holders no problem.
Just like outside, Hyundai has some tricks here in the cabin. Like the additional storage on the dashboard that doubles as a UV device cleaning tray with a click of a switch. The inner side of the front seats have additional USB-C ports for the second row occupants, while the front seats are both Power Relaxation Seats. That means they can tilt and have a leg support for a more relaxing position. It’s complemented by memory function and seat ventilation and heating. It’s perfect especially for the driver because once you’re at your destination, you can relax first before heading onto whatever activity you have planned with your family or friends.
Friends, family, and relatives will undoubtedly appreciate the space the Santa Fe has. Unlike other SUVs that look huge but are cramped inside, the Santa Fe is dedicated to seat all 7 people comfortably. Even the third row can accommodate an adult without uncomfortable compromise on the second row’s sitting position. Horizontal space is generous, as well as legroom, and of course headroom despite the presence of panoramic sunroof on the first and second rows.
Putting a hybrid system on top of all these benefits certainly made the Santa Fe more enticing. Younger people might be content with tailgate parties in parking lots or by the side of the road but if you want a real relaxing experience, you’d have to head out and away from the city in search of it. And of course, that entails more gas consumption – until now.
The 2.5-liter turbo and 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated engines of the Santa Fe were replaced by the 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine paired to an electric motor. Together it makes 235 PS and 367 Nm of torque. Hyundai’s engineers were able to eke out a great amount of power with this new system so that you won’t miss the previous 2.5-liter turbo. Just like in the Tucson, the Santa Fe Hybrid still makes use of a 6-speed automatic transmission for a more engaging drive. It’s rated to go up to 17.9 km/l despite the hefty body in mixed driving conditions.
This new hybrid system lets you explore the far ends of Tanay, Quezon, or the mountains in the north without a huge hit in your pocket. It also won’t let you down once on the steep mountain roads of Asin in Benguet, or DRT in Bulacan to name a few. It has more than enough juice to take you and your family to the ends of the roads.
If the hybrid system assures you of capability on any road, the Hyundai Smartsense inside the Santa Fe Hybrid ensures you’re safe whether in the city or out of it. It has Forward Collision Avoidance Assist and Blind Spot View Monitor to help you in our chaotic city roads, while the Smart Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Systems are great to have on the highways. The Parking Distance Sensors and Surround View Monitor are great for tight maneuvers and parking but they are also useful once you’re on unpaved paths and other light trails in provinces and their inner roads.
The hybrid system in the Tucson and Santa Fe is a testament to Hyundai’s dedication in their vision of “Progress for Humanity.” Progress that can be done with less harm to the environment, and cars that were created with the user in mind and will certainly help people achieve their goals.
