The Most Affordable Hybrid SUV With a Standard Third-Row of Seats
https://www.howtogeek.com/most-affordable-three-row-hybrid/
That actually sounds pretty nice.
Looks like a nice vehicle. In general Korean cars have improved their quality a lot in the last couple of decades, but they do still seem to have engines that develop problems around 100k miles from the research I've done while shopping for a used car. I would be inclined to go plugin hybrid or full electric if going with a Korean make.
Digging a little deeper it seem the 1.6 L-4 is one of the more reliable Hyundai engines. It also looks like the hybrid has a better transmission setup than the all gas model, so that's a plus. Seems the all gas uses a dry dual clutch which can give some problems with bumpy shifting.
Strangely, it's the same engine in the Tucson and Santa Fe hybrids and plugin-hybrids in both 2023 and 2025 - 1.6L turbo inline 4cylinder with 178HP at 5500rmp and 195ft-lbs of torque.
When we were about to buy the Tucson, my brother-in-law suggested bumping up to the Santa Fe to get more towing capacity, but when I looked, it was the same engine despite the Santa Fe being a bigger, heavier car. So in terms of towing, you're actually better off with the Tucson (which is in any case the largest non-truck we've ever owned).
So far so good. We have the PHEV and my brother got the 2024 hybrid about 6 months later. First Hyundai for any of us. He has always had Hondas and Toyotas (and Datsuns and Fords, but long ago). We have had Ford, Subaru and Mazda.
We're all (i.e. the two brothers and the two spouses) quite happy with the Tucson. Hyundai and Kia will at the very least be in consideration for our next car. So will other brands - we're not brand loyal at all