2022 Hyundai Tucson - Modern interior with coronavirus-fighting air vents

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson's interior features a modern "Interspace" design with a tiered dashboard and silver air vents that provide "diffused airflow". This unique HVAC system was marketed by Hyundai as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to reduce potentially unpleasant or harsh airflow and create a more comfortable environment for occupants.

The interior design isn't as in-your-face as the outside, but it still looks nice and modern. Hyundai calls this theme "Interspace," referring to the tiered design of the dashboard and door panels. Silver air vents appear to wrap around the cabin, and there's interesting cloth trim underneath. In what Hyundai says is a unique feature for the auto industry (and likely something being touted because of the COVID-19 pandemic), the Tucson's HVAC system and design of the vents provides

"diffused airflow" that "reduces potentially unpleasant airflow,"

according to a company statement.

I got the chance to check out a fully loaded Limited model in person, which had leather upholstery and plusher materials on the dash and door cards, and I came away impressed. It felt airy and spacious, with lots of clever features and a bunch of storage components, especially in the tiered center console. The main plastic surround for the center console was the only cheap-feeling spot, but that's one of the interior components that could see the most abuse anyway. There's a ton of legroom in the second row thanks to that longer wheelbase, and the 60/40 split seatbacks recline and easily fold flat.

An 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability is standard fare for the base SE model, as is a 4.2-inch color display between the analog gauges. A 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster is optional on the midrange SEL trim and standard on the top-end Limited. But the real showstopper is the 10.2-inch touchscreen that comes standard on the Limited, running the same infotainment system as other new Hyundais like the Sonata. It does without any sort of physical buttons or switches, instead using touch-capacitive buttons. The whole setup looks great and works well, but I do wish there was a physical volume knob and a specific home button.

Hyundai Tucson Specifications:
▪ Length/width/height/wheelbase – 182.3/73.4/65.6/108.5 in
▪ Ground clearance FWD (AWD) – 7.1 (8.3) in
▪ Cargo volume ICE/Hybrid (PHEV) – 38.7 (31.9) cu-ft

ICE
▪ Engine – 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder in-line, petrol
▪ Max output – 187 hp at 6,100 rpm
▪ Max torque – 178 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm
▪ Transmission – 8-speed automatic, FWD/AWD

Hybrid
▪ Engine – 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder in-line, turbo petrol
▪ Max output – 180 hp at 5,500 rpm
▪ Max torque – 195 lb-ft at 1,500-4,500 rpm
▪ Electric motor max output – 59 hp (44.2 kW) at 1,600-2,000 rpm
▪ Electric motor max torque – 195 lb-ft at 0-1,600 rpm
▪ Max system output – 227 hp
▪ Transmission – 6-speed automatic, AWD
▪ Battery capacity – 1.49 kW

Plug-in Hybrid
▪ Engine – 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder in-line, turbo petrol
▪ Max output – 180 hp at 5,500 rpm
▪ Max torque – 195 lb-ft at 1,500-4,500 rpm
▪ Electric motor max output – 90 hp (66.9 kW) at 2,100-3,300 rpm
▪ Electric motor max torque – 224 lb-ft at 2,100 rpm
▪ Max system output – 261 hp
▪ Transmission – 6-speed automatic, AWD
▪ Battery capacity – 13.8 kW
▪ Footage location – Irvine, California