@kezo I did try using regeneration for a time (level 1) after you mentioned it, but it didn’t seem to make any noticeable difference to my EV range (maybe the higher levels would) and, as mentioned previously, I don’t like the sensation of it, hence why I don’t use it regularly now. If my primary concern was running costs then maybe I’d persevere with it but, as you know, I value the driving experience more. I guess that if it made a significant difference Hyundai would configure the car so that the default was for it to be ‘on’ and you actively have to turn it off (as with BMWs) but, as you know, the default is ‘off’ and, from memory, regeneration isn’t even mentioned in the owners manual (which only sad people like me read anyway
) so I bet that the vast majority of Tucson PHEV drivers are unaware of it and, if asked, would have no idea how to activate it! As discussed at length on the other thread, the main reason for the difference in our running costs (given that we both charge the car after every use) is that we use the cars very differently. Doing your lengthy school run daily (all in EV mode from memory), plus a greater proportion of A road driving, makes a PHEV a better option for you. By contrast, I live within a few miles of a motorway and almost all my journeys to get anywhere involve using it. As I don’t like plodding along with the HGVs to save a few pence, it’s noticeable how mpg drops as speed rises and I think that’s primarily where I lose out. Whilst the interior and standard kit of the Tucson make it hard to beat, it seems to be that Hyundai’s PHEV technology isn’t quite up to that of some other brands – Toyota and VW to name just two. Perhaps that and a combination of the petrol engine and gearbox. Compared to my BMW, the engine is far less refined and the auto gearbox holds on to revs much longer, neither of which is going to help when it comes to economy.
) so I bet that the vast majority of Tucson PHEV drivers are unaware of it and, if asked, would have no idea how to activate it! As discussed at length on the other thread, the main reason for the difference in our running costs (given that we both charge the car after every use) is that we use the cars very differently. Doing your lengthy school run daily (all in EV mode from memory), plus a greater proportion of A road driving, makes a PHEV a better option for you. By contrast, I live within a few miles of a motorway and almost all my journeys to get anywhere involve using it. As I don’t like plodding along with the HGVs to save a few pence, it’s noticeable how mpg drops as speed rises and I think that’s primarily where I lose out. Whilst the interior and standard kit of the Tucson make it hard to beat, it seems to be that Hyundai’s PHEV technology isn’t quite up to that of some other brands – Toyota and VW to name just two. Perhaps that and a combination of the petrol engine and gearbox. Compared to my BMW, the engine is far less refined and the auto gearbox holds on to revs much longer, neither of which is going to help when it comes to economy.UP untill 2025, plug in’s were all very similar in both range and overall mpg, with Toyota being the standout. From 2022-25 the Tiguan ehybrid, had approx 30 mile range and a combined 35mpg. That changed with the latest models across the VAG group, with an engine becoming the 1.5tsi and increase in battery size useable to 19.7kW. The increase to 19.7kW and the ability to charge at upto 50kW DC, left the Tucson behind the curve and I still “bathled” (@Rene) why Hyundai didn’t make the charge with it’s 2025 model or replace it’s AT transmission, with it’s 8 speed wet clutch the latest Sportage adopted and will kick ass with most DCT variants. Toyota uses eCVT transmission, which uses planetary gears rather than the old belt driven CVT, along with a much more efficient 2.5l engine. The Rav4 will do 50 miles under battery power easily in the right weather – Calculated miles kW-KW the Rav4 still outshines the latest VAG, but it can be said Toyota mastered the hybrid. (Even the latest MG plug in is ahead)
The paddles give users the choice in Hyundai EV’s compared to the choice of automatic or off. Perhaps more importantly, I use the left paddle as a footbrake when approaching roundabouts, juncktions etc, 1-3 going down a hill and level 1 driving locally. On the whole, this minimises brake use and keeps it in regen braking part, rather than pushing into friction braking. On a run using faster A roads or motorways, I only use the left paddle, as a break, unless going down a steep decline, I will utiles 1-2-3-3-2-1-0 to keep speed appropiate. Level one remains off, as it stops the full benefit of coasting on longer A roads and motorways – It still regens when you coast and is much more efficient as it keeps you free wheeing on say motorways. It still remains a weird as fcuk way of driving though. I often use sport mode and forget the paddles change to gears whe. I go from 1-2-3, the gears go from 5-4-3 in fairly quick succession to start to slow lol.
It’s a shame we can’t forsee the future when we first started talking about the Tucson. At the time, I had taken delivery, I remember you asking about your then mostly something like 50 mile round trip to the shops, which would have been ecinomical, but sadly things changed to far more frequently 200+ mile round trips on the motorway where hybrid is perhaps at its worse similar to EV, due to speed along with the use of regen turned off. It makes me laugh when, I see some EV’s tootling along the motorway at 56mph tucked in behind an HGV in it’s slipstream, I think whats the point! However, thankfully your is still slightly better and your no worse off, in a similar way my school runs have been my saving grace, It’s not been a complete disaster, That said, I’m still glad that I tried PHEV in the Tucson than sitting inside the Tiggy for 3 years!! But, my view PHEV isn’t as good, as a halfway house between petrol and EV, as I thought even with extended range, I can see an X3 on the horizon in a couple of years, as a 60th birthday present to myself 🙂