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Hyundai first started selling cars in the United States in 1986. Today, Hyundai is one of the top-selling automakers in the U.S., with a wide range of models, including sedans, SUVs, and electric vehicles. The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has impressed automotive critics, including U.S. News. 

U.S. News listed three features that ranked it the best PHEV in its class. Let’s look at what it had to say about the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.

U.S. News’ best hybrid and electric vehicles of 2023

U.S. News ranked the best hybrid and electric vehicles based on a combination of factors, such as performance, safety, reliability, and cost. The list included both plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles, ranging from luxury cars to affordable models. These scores are based on two types of information: published reviews from respected automotive critics and data from third-party sources.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning won the Best Electric Truck. The Best Electric Vehicle award went to the 2023 Kia EV6. The Best Luxury SUV was the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq. The Best Hybrid Car was the 2023 Toyota Prius. The Best Luxury Hybrid was the 2023 Lexus ES Hybrid. The Best Hybrid SUV was the 2023 Kia Niro. The Best Luxury Plug-In Hybrid was the 2023 Lexus NX Hybrid (450h+). Lastly, the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid was voted the Best Plug-in Hybrid.

3 reasons the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is the best PHEV

A side profile shot of a 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid compact SUV model parked into an EV charging station
2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid | Hyundai Motor America

U.S. News voted the Hyundai Tucson PHEV the best plug-in hybrid for 2023. One of the factors that contributed to this is the best-in-class charging rate. Owners can recharge the battery in as little as 1.7 hours when plugged into a Level 2 charger.

Another reason it was given the top spot is because of its energetic acceleration and composed handling. It features a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor rated at 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The third reason it was voted number one is the spacious and well-appointed cabin. It boasts some of the roomiest seats and cargo dimensions in its class. It comes standard with a 4.2-inch LCD in the gauge cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, and push-button start. The Limited trim also offers genuine leather upholstery, making it feel like a luxury vehicle without the luxury price. 

An overview of the 2023 Hyundai Tucson PHEV

The Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid comes in two trims: SEL and Limited. The Hyundai website reports that the SEL Plug-In Hybrid has a starting price of $37,300, while the Limited Plug-In Hybrid starts at $44,560. The SEL comes with HTRAC all-wheel drive⁠, 19-inch alloy wheels, Bluelink Connected Car System⁠, and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA).

The Limited trim comes with  Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)⁠, Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA)⁠, 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation⁠, and a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster. The Blind-Spot View Monitor and the 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation are not available on the Toyota RAV4 Prime, a top PHEV competitor of the Tucson.

The Limited trim also has an eight-way power front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats. Both trims also come equipped with a six-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC, drive mode select, and shift-by-wire. 

Even though its taken time and investment, Hyundai has emerged as one of the top automakers in the world. Hyundai is also making headway with its new EV division with the help of some hefty investments in EV technology and production. Its Ioniq series has been turning heads since its release.

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