Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid or similar | Automatic | 4×4

_{^{Last updated: June 2026 | Reviewed by the Hertz Iceland Fleet Team}}

The Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid is an automatic AWD SUV combining a 1.6L turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor — F-road permitted, year-round capable, and one of the most versatile mid-range options in the Hertz Iceland fleet. Rented on an “or similar” basis. Minimum age 23. Note: charging cable is not included as standard and must be added during booking at hertz.is.

Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid Rental Iceland: Automatic AWD SUV Guide

The Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid sits in a genuinely useful middle ground in the Hertz Iceland fleet — more capable and spacious than a compact PHEV, more fuel-efficient than a full-size petrol 4×4, and comfortable enough for the full Ring Road or a multi-day Highland summer itinerary. It combines a 1.6L turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor through Hyundai’s HTRAC AWD system, delivering 265 PS and confident traction on Iceland’s varied road surfaces year-round.

The Tucson PHEV is ideal for travellers who want genuine AWD security for Iceland’s roads — including F-roads in summer — alongside the fuel-efficiency benefits of a plug-in hybrid, without needing to plan a dedicated charging strategy.

⚠️ Important: The charging cable is not included in the rental as standard. It must be added separately during your booking at hertz.is. Without the cable, you drive the Tucson purely as a petrol AWD — still fully capable, but without EV-mode benefit.

Is the Hyundai Tucson PHEV Good for Driving in Iceland?

Yes — it’s one of the most versatile vehicles in the mid-range fleet, capable year-round on paved roads, gravel, and F-roads in summer.

• Real-World Space: 558 litres of boot space with all seats up — fitting 3 large hard-shell suitcases comfortably. Rear seats fold to 1,737 litres for longer trips requiring extra gear storage. Rear legroom is genuinely generous for a mid-size SUV.
• F-Road Capability: HTRAC AWD with a dedicated Snow drive mode provides confident traction on gravel, snow, and wet surfaces. Permitted on F-roads and Highland tracks in summer — always check road.is before entering.
• Performance: 265 PS combined output, 350 Nm torque, 0–100 km/h in approximately 8.6 seconds. More than sufficient for Iceland’s road conditions including steep highland ascents.
• EV Range by Season: Real-world EV range runs 48–66 km under mixed conditions. Cold weather has less impact on this PHEV than on pure EVs — the petrol engine handles cabin heating, preserving battery range. Without the charging cable added at booking, the vehicle operates as a standard petrol AWD.
• Cabin Comfort: 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation, heated front seats, smooth automatic transmission, and a refined cabin make long driving days comfortable regardless of conditions.
• Safety: 5-star Euro NCAP rating (2021 protocol). Standard safety suite includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (car, pedestrian, cyclist), Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Detection, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert across all trims.

Hertz Iceland: Locally Operated Since 1971

As Iceland’s premier local experts for over 55 years, we combine international standards with deep-rooted knowledge of Icelandic terrain. Rent with the authority that knows every F-road and weather pattern since 1971.

When Is the Hyundai Tucson PHEV the Right Choice?

• Summer (June–August): Full capability — F-roads open, EV range maximised in mild temperatures, Ring Road and Highland routes all accessible.
• Winter (October–April): Excellent on main roads. HTRAC AWD with winter tyres and Snow drive mode delivers strong performance in snow and ice — owner communities rate Tucson winter performance highly compared to dedicated 4×4 systems. F-roads are closed in winter.
• Year-Round: The Tucson is one of the few mid-range fleet vehicles that genuinely earns a “year-round” recommendation without qualification on Iceland’s main road network.

⚠️ Not ideal if:

• You want to charge on the go using fast DC chargers — the Tucson PHEV is AC-only (7.2 kW), designed for overnight hotel/guesthouse charging, not rapid roadside top-ups.
• You need a guaranteed specific model — booked “or similar,” you’ll receive a comparable automatic AWD PHEV if unavailable.
• You are a group of 5 with very large luggage — 3 large suitcases is the practical limit with all seats in use. For more capacity, consider the [[Link to Dacia Bigster]] or [[Link to BMW X5]].

Rental Requirements & Restrictions

• Minimum Age: 23 years old.
• License: Valid driving license held for a minimum of 1 year. IDP required if license is not in Roman script.
• Payment: Valid credit card under main renter’s name required.
• Charging Cable: Not included as standard — add at booking via hertz.is.
• F-Road Policy: Permitted (summer only). Always check road.is before entering F-roads.
• Important: Driving on unmarked land, beaches, lava fields, or moss outside designated roads is illegal in Iceland and will result in a heavy fine.

Inside the Hyundai Tucson PHEV

The Tucson’s cabin strikes the right balance between technology and comfort — prominent enough to feel premium, simple enough to use without distraction. A 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation screen sits alongside a matching 10.25-inch digital driver’s cluster, giving you full road and trip information at a glance while keeping physical buttons where they’re most useful.

Heated front seats, a quiet electric-mode cabin at low speeds, and smooth 6-speed automatic transmission make Reykjavík city driving noticeably more relaxed than in a manual 4×4. On longer stretches — the South Coast highway, the northern Ring Road between Akureyri and Egilsstaðir — the Tucson’s ride comfort and lane-assist technology reduce the fatigue that builds up over 4–6 hour driving days.

Rear passengers have genuinely good legroom for a mid-size SUV — four adults sit comfortably without compromise. The boot’s 558 litres handles three large hard-shell suitcases without using rear seat space, and the wide opening and flat load floor make loading straightforward after a day on a highland track.

The Tucson’s interior also carries a level of material quality above the Duster and Bigster class — soft-touch surfaces, ambient lighting on higher trims, and a cabin that feels deliberately engineered rather than cost-optimised. For travellers who want AWD practicality and F-road access without sacrificing interior refinement, this is where the Tucson sits in the fleet.

Hyundai Tucson Dimensions, Seating and Luggage For Your Trip

The Tucson’s 558-litre boot comfortably fits 3 large hard-shell suitcases with all seats in use — noticeably more than the BMW X3 PHEV (also 3 suitcases but tighter with the PHEV battery pack) and in a larger overall footprint. Folding the rear seats creates 1,737 litres of flat load space, well-suited to camping gear, photography equipment, or extended luggage for longer Ring Road itineraries.

Why Rent a Hyundai Tucson PHEV 4WD with Hertz Iceland?

• Choosing Hertz Iceland means renting from a locally owned operator with over 50 years of experience, operating in Iceland since 1971. We have been recognised as Iceland’s Leading Car Rental Company at the World Travel Awards in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2025 — and are proud to be nominated again in 2026.
• Or Similar Guarantee: The Tucson PHEV is rented by category — if this exact model is unavailable, you’ll receive a comparable automatic AWD PHEV. Never downgraded in class.
• Under 2 Years Old: Every Tucson in our fleet is under two years old — newer fleet, lower mileage, more current spec.
• Safety First: 5-star Euro NCAP rated, equipped with season-appropriate tyres and backed by 24/7 emergency phone assistance across the entire island.
• Convenience: Available across all 11 Hertz Iceland locations, with direct pickup at KEF Airport Arrival Hall.

History of Hyundai

Hyundai Motor Company was founded in South Korea in 1967, initially assembling vehicles under licence from Ford before launching its own independently engineered models. The company grew rapidly through the 1980s and 1990s, expanding from a regional manufacturer into one of the world’s largest automotive groups — today encompassing Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands.

Renting a Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid with Hertz Iceland means choosing a vehicle that brings together Hyundai’s engineering maturity and Iceland-proven AWD performance — refined over four generations of Tucson and now at its most capable.

Hyundai Tucson PHEV vs BMW X3 PHEV: Which Fits Your Iceland Trip?

Rental Locations

The Hyundai Tucson PHEV is available across all 11 Hertz Iceland locations:

What’s Included in Your Rental

• 24/7 emergency phone support across Iceland
• Unlimited mileage
• Free cancellation up to 16 days before pickup
• Basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
• Third-party liability coverage
• VAT and local taxes
• Season-appropriate tyres (winter tyres in winter, summer tyres in warmer months)

⚠️ Charging cable is not included as standard — add it during booking at hertz.is. Without the cable, the vehicle operates as a petrol AWD.

Suggested Road Trips with Hyundai Tucson PHEV in Iceland

Hyundai Tucson PHEV rental in Iceland – FAQs

• • Can I drive the Hyundai Tucson PHEV on F-roads?
    Yes — in summer only. The Tucson PHEV is permitted on F-roads and Highland tracks when conditions are safe and roads are officially open. Always check road.is before entering any F-road. Note that no charging infrastructure is available in the Highlands — the vehicle operates on petrol AWD in these areas.

• • Is the charging cable included with the Tucson PHEV rental?
    No. The charging cable is not included as standard. It must be added separately during your booking at hertz.is. Without the cable, the Tucson operates as a fully capable petrol AWD — the hybrid system still improves fuel efficiency automatically, but you cannot charge the battery from an external source.

• • Is the Tucson PHEV good for winter driving in Iceland?
    Yes. The Tucson PHEV with HTRAC AWD and winter tyres is an excellent choice for Iceland’s winter main roads. Its dedicated Snow drive mode and AWD system provide strong traction in snow and ice. Cold weather has less impact on PHEV range than on pure EVs — the petrol engine manages cabin heating, keeping battery range relatively consistent. F-roads are closed in winter.

• • How much luggage fits in the Hyundai Tucson PHEV?
    The Tucson PHEV boot holds 558 litres with all seats up — comfortably fitting 3 large hard-shell suitcases. With rear seats folded flat, capacity expands to 1,737 litres. Unlike some PHEVs where the battery pack reduces boot space significantly, the Tucson’s boot remains practical for 4–5 people travelling with standard luggage.

• • Is the Hyundai Tucson PHEV a guaranteed model?
    No — it is rented on an “or similar” basis. If this exact model is unavailable, you’ll receive a comparable automatic AWD PHEV. If you need a guaranteed specific vehicle, see our Guaranteed Model options including the BMW X3, BMW X5, Toyota Land Cruiser 250, Range Rover Sport PHEV, and Land Rover Defender 130.

• • Hyundai Tucson PHEV vs BMW X3 PHEV — which is better for Iceland?
    The key difference is F-road access. The Tucson PHEV is permitted on F-roads and Highland tracks — the BMW X3 PHEV is not. The Tucson also has a larger boot (558L vs smaller on the X3 due to PHEV battery placement) and a lower price tier, but is booked “or similar” rather than as a guaranteed model. The X3 offers a more premium cabin, higher combined output (295 PS vs 265 PS), and a longer EV range (81–90 km vs 56–65 km). Choose the Tucson for F-road flexibility and value; choose the X3 for premium guaranteed-model experience on main roads.

• • Does Hertz Iceland offer Roadside Assistance?

    Yes. Roadside Assistance can be added at the rental desk upon pick-up (not bookable online). It costs 1,990 ISK/day as a stand-alone option, or 990 ISK/day when combined with Max Cover.

    If you require assistance on the road, pay the third-party service provider directly on-site and keep your itemized receipt. Upon returning your vehicle, present the receipt to our team, and Hertz Iceland will refund the covered eligible amount back to your card on file. Emergency line: +354 858 0499 (24/7).