No doubt, the most transformative aspect of the Tucson is its hybrid powertrain. Thanks to a boosted 1.6-liter engine and a strong electric motor, it makes 235 horsepower and 367 Nm of torque. Those with excellent memory will remember that it’s the same powertrain found in the larger, heavier Santa Fe Hybrid, so imagine what the effect would be in a car that weighs around 300 kilograms less. An additional bit of trivia: those numbers are close to that of the Mazda CX-5 Turbo. The result? It’s never at a loss for power. It doesn’t really dig you into the driver’s seat under heavy acceleration, rather, it’s about effortless pace. Whether it’s crawling through stop-and-go traffic, merging on the expressway, or cruising on the highway, it’s an excellent and able companion. The excellent NVH insulation is a great bonus.

Compared to other hybrid systems, like Toyota’s for example, Hyundai went for a balance between performance and efficiency (as opposed to just maximizing every drop of fuel). By mounting the electric motor to the transmission, it can engage pure EV mode or electric assist at just about any speed. It’s also far more engaging because there are perceptible gearshifts as opposed to a CVT that simply stretches itself to oblivion. Of course, there’s a knock-on effect and that’s got to do with the Tucson Hybrid’s efficiency. After a week’s worth of Christmas traffic, it registered 16.12 km/L which is lower than what you’d get in a Toyota or Honda hybrid system. And while the regen modes can be adjusted via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, there’s no dedicated EV mode.

The same sense of balance is found in the way Hyundai engineers dialed in the handling and ride. It’s still not the sharpest tool in the compact SUV shed, but the refresh does give it better low-speed manners. It’s dialed well to take on bumps and potholes in a controlled manner. It doesn’t feel floaty even when tackling them at moderate speeds. As the speeds go up, there’s decent amount of grip, but because there’s a noticeable amount of body roll, it doesn’t really get into a comfortable rhythm when tacking switchbacks. At these times, it’s best to enjoy them at a laid-back pace. The steering also doesn’t build much weight, even with the steering effort switched to Sport, making it hard to place accurately. The over nannying ADAS and its incessant beeping also doesn’t help things.

Taking in the learnings from the Ioniq 5 and 6, Hyundai’s successfully raised the interior game with the Tucson Hybrid. There’s no wood paneling or Nappa leather in here, but it doesn’t matter. It looks absolutely smart and everything is finished well. And typical of the Korean automaker, there’s some playfulness too in terms of texture like the thin strip of fabric running across the length of the dash.

Attention immediately gravitates towards the large duo of 12.3-inch screens situated atop the dash panel. The curved displays are flatscreen TV sharp with smart graphics. The ccNC infotainment system responds snappily and is easy to understand. Nothing is more than two or three sub-menus deep and there’s even a degree of customizability too. The climate controls aren’t buried as a sub-menu, thankfully, but it’s weird as to why they’re capacitive as opposed to real buttons. But hey, at least aiming for a particular function is easier this way. Small win for the two large temperature knobs.

Matching this futuristic look is tech that’s just as solid and actually people-centric. For example, there’s a “Baby Mode” that reduces the sharpness of the accelerator (as not to jolt kids or pets), “Sleep” in the audio system that turns off the backseat speakers whenever someone’s dozing off there, and “Driver Only” for the climate control to maximize the EV’s charge whenever there’s just the driver onboard. If anything, the only thing missing in the package would be ventilated seats and power adjustment for the front passenger.

Another major thing going for the Tucson is the amount of interior space. Upfront, there’s plenty to go by with tons of room. The driver sits high with good amounts of adjustment for a cushy driving position. Weirdly, the pillars cause visibility issues. The angle of the A-pillars can cause momentary blind spots through tighter corners, while the thick C-pillars will have you reliant on the blind spot camera and indicators when initiating an overtake. The situation’s the same for those in the back seat. To the delight of longer-limbed folks, the knee room is impressive. The seatbacks are also reclinable for extra comfort during long drives. However, there’s a center bump which means anyone unfortunate enough to sit in the middle there will have to share leg space with the outboard passengers.

People space is also matched by an equally good number of cubby holes. The door bins, front and back, may be on the small side, but it’s made up for by the large glovebox and the two-tier center console. By moving the gear selector to the steering column, it’s managed to free up space for larger cupholders and even a bin ahead of the console that houses the toggle switches for some functions like the drive modes. At the back, there are USB Type C chargers as well as a center armrest that doubles as cup holders. Cargo space is plentiful, but once the tonneau cover’s in place, some may find the height a bit lacking.

Outside, Hyundai’s oozing with confidence when it comes to its styling, and the Tucson benefits from that. The sharp, angular lines are polarizing, but at least it’s better than the boring-as-hell cookie cutter crossover. The eye-jolting aesthetics is sure to gather attention, so you can’t be blamed if things like the new grille, DRLs, and bumpers escaped your attention.

People often buy Hyundais for their sensibility, and the Tucson’s no different. It offers plenty of room and is comfortable to drive. However, it’s now much more than that. The hybrid powertrain and longer list of equipment puts it in a much better position than ever to fight its rivals in the increasingly competitive compact SUV class. Some will balk at the P 2-million price tag, but go beyond that and you’ll find it a more complete and compelling package.