2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid vs 2025 Toyota Highlander

$39,730 · Crossover

$40,320 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid bursts onto the scene with electric agility, offering 268 hp and a crucial 32 miles of all-electric range, leading to an impressive 35 combined MPG. Conversely, the 2025 Toyota Highlander appeals with its stout 310 lb-ft of torque, outmuscling the Tucson's 258 lb-ft, despite having slightly less peak horsepower at 265 hp. The Highlander, longer at 194.9 inches, commands a larger footprint than the Tucson's 182.7 inches. Economically, the Tucson dominates, achieving 35/35 MPG compared to the Highlander's 22/29 MPG, translating to a substantial 10 MPG combined efficiency gap. While the Highlander provides more towing potential implicitly through its torque, the Tucson's plug-in capability and lower $39,730 MSRP offer a forward-thinking proposition against the Highlander's $40,320 starting price, making efficiency the clear battleground.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is the superior commuter due to its 32 miles of electric range and superior 35 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota Highlander

The larger 2025 Toyota Highlander, with its greater overall length (194.9 inches) and more robust torque (310 lb-ft), suggests better utility for family hauling.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

Enthusiasts favoring immediate power delivery and modern tech will appreciate the Tucson's higher 268 hp output and lower overall vehicle weight implied by its smaller dimensions.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

The Tucson offers significantly better running costs with 35 MPG versus the Highlander's 25 MPG, coupled with a lower MSRP of $39,730.

Choose the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid if...

You prioritize maximum fuel savings and can leverage the 32 miles of all-electric range daily.
Your budget requires the lower starting MSRP of $39,730.
You prefer the handling characteristics associated with a slightly smaller vehicle (182.7 inches long).

Choose the Toyota Highlander if...

Maximum cargo hauling capacity is secondary to outright low-end pulling power, evidenced by 310 lb-ft of torque.
You need the extra space afforded by the larger dimensions, measuring 194.9 inches in length.
You prefer the conventional stability of front-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission setup.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid	Toyota Highlander
Length	182.7"	194.9"
Width	73.4"	76.0"
Height	66.3"	68.1"
Wheelbase	108.5"	112.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	1.6 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	plug-in hybrid	gas
Horsepower	268 hp	265 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft	310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	35/35 MPG	22/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	35 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	388.5/388.5 mi.	393.8/519.1 mi.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	80/73 MPGe	—
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	77 MPGe	—
EPA Electric Driving Range	32 mi.	—
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	44	—
Charging Time (240V)	2.0 hr.	—
Fuel Tank Capacity	11.1 gal.	17.9 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	SAE J1772	—

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
One-Touch Power Windows	2	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Front Head Room	40.1 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	42.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.6 in.	59.0 in.
Front Hip Room	54.5 in.	57.2 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.3 in.	38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.0 in.	58.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.9 in.	57.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	P235/65R V
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	—
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	2 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and 2025 Toyota Highlander.

How much more fuel-efficient is the Tucson PHEV compared to the Highlander?

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid delivers substantially better efficiency, achieving 35 combined MPG versus the Highlander's 25 combined MPG, resulting in a 10 MPG advantage. Furthermore, the Tucson offers 32 miles of pure electric driving before engaging the gasoline engine.

Does the Highlander's higher torque make it feel faster than the Tucson?

The Highlander boasts 310 lb-ft of torque, exceeding the Tucson's 258 lb-ft, which might give it a stronger pulling sensation off the line. However, the Tucson holds the horsepower advantage with 268 hp to the Highlander's 265 hp.

Which vehicle is physically larger for passenger and cargo room?

The Toyota Highlander is noticeably larger, measuring 194.9 inches long compared to the Tucson's 182.7 inches, suggesting a bigger overall footprint for passengers and road presence.

What is the significance of the Tucson's plug-in capability?

The plug-in hybrid system in the Tucson allows drivers to cover up to 32 miles exclusively on battery power, drastically cutting down gasoline consumption for daily short trips while maintaining AWD capability.

How do the transmissions differ between these two crossovers?

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson uses a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission paired with its hybrid system, while the 2025 Toyota Highlander is equipped with a conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Is there a significant price difference between the two models?

Yes, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid starts at an MSRP of $39,730, making it slightly more affordable than the 2025 Toyota Highlander, which begins at $40,320.