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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie CarHead-to-Head: Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4
The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is all new and looks better than ever but can it take down the always impressive Toyota RAV4? We find out.
Crossover Clash
The Toyota RAV4 has set the standard for what a smallish crossover SUV should be for a long time now. It was one of the very first and it’s used that head start to remain incredibly competitive throughout every generation. Now though, it’s facing tougher competition than ever before and the all-new Hyundai Tucson is redesigned from the ground up for 2022. Can the long-time champion continue its reign? Or will the new Korean challenger take the top spot? We compare everything from how these vehicles drive, to the way they haul people and cargo, and even what type of pricing you’ll be looking at to determine a clear winner in the end.
Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4 Specs
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 starts at $26,525 and offers eight different trims to choose from. Among them, three different engines are available with power ranging from 203-to 302-horsepower. Depending on trim and engine options, the gas-powered RAV4 can get as much as 35 mpg on the highway according to the EPA. Hybrid models bump that number up to 38 and the plug-in Prime model gets a combined rating of 94 MPGe. It’s nice that it can travel up to 42 miles on electric power alone.
The Hyundai Tucson starts at just $24,950 for 2022 and gets an all-new look as well as a lot of new technology as it starts out the fourth generation of the badge. Seven different trims make up the lineup and offer three different powertrains. The base engine is rated at 187-horsepower and gets up to an EPA-estimated 33 mpg on the highway. The hybrid model bumps that number to 38 and the plug-in version gets an estimated 80 MPGe. It can go 33 miles on all-electric power.
Driving Characteristics
The experience of driving in the RAV4 can be drastically different depending on the engine it’s equipped with. The Prime trim with its plug-in hybrid powertrain makes 308-horsepower and it feels great. It features smooth power and shifts nicely as well. It’s our favorite engine in this test by far. The other two motors available in the Toyota SUV aren’t bad but neither is as well refined. Both are more buzzy and loud under heavy throttle engagement. They also take longer to get going when you put the pedal down than the Prime. Handling harder curves and sharp braking isn’t something the RAV4 was designed to specialize in but it handles both tasks with confidence and ease.
The first thing we noticed in the Tucson is just how much quieter everything is inside compared to the RAV4. When we stomped on the throttle, the Tucson complied swiftly and quietly. If there’s something to complain about, it would have to be the super-light steering feel. Around town and in the city it’s great and makes the Tuscan easy to place. On the highway, it feels slightly disconcerting compared to how solid and nicely weighted the wheel feels in the RAV4.
Comfort and Interior
The inside of the RAV4 continues its sporting aspirations with bucket seats and a rugged interior design. We love the supportive cushioning in both rows and small touches like how the rear seats have some adjustability. Some drivers might not like how heavily bolstered they are though. Visibility isn’t bad but keep in mind that the dash is very tall compared to the Hyundai so it doesn’t feel as open and it’s slightly harder to judge where the edges of the front of the vehicle are.
The upright infotainment system is prominent and big chunky control knobs for climate control sit just beneath. Of course, great little storage cubbies are littered throughout. One place where the RAV4 has a clear advantage is with regard to the rear cargo area load height. It’s significantly lower than the Tuscon which might be very important to those who will load heavy things in and out on the regular.
Hyundai really has made the inside of the Tucson feel modern and inviting. To us, it was immediately more comfortable thanks to better visibility and a simpler dash design. Little touches like two-tone coloring and mixing of composite and fabric materials really make it feel a cut above the Toyota. The seating is good but less supportive than in the RAV4. Larger drivers will like that the seats are a bit wider and aren’t as heavily bolstered though.
The infotainment system and driver information system look great and blend in seamlessly. We wish the buttons were physical, especially the volume control knob, but at least there’s a button on the steering wheel as well. We really dislike the piano black trim though. It’s a fingerprint magnet and there’s just no reason for it when it could’ve used any other finish that wouldn’t have been so hard to keep clean. One small win for the Tucson, its rear seat heaters have two levels of heat where the RAV4 is simply on or off.
Trims and Features Available
Toyota starts out with the RAV4 LE. It gets LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, and a 7-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Buyers can choose between either the base 203-horsepower engine or a hybrid powertrain with 219-horsepower and all-wheel drive for a few thousand dollars more. Every RAV4 comes with Toyota SafetySense 2.0 which features adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward collision mitigation, and more.
Step up from the LE and into the XLE and you’ll find dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and keyless entry. Blind-spot monitoring is added as well.
Next up is the SE which is only available with a hybrid powertrain and also features a sport suspension, upgraded LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Those who want the Prime powertrain can get it here for about $9,000 more.
The XLE Premium gets fog lights, simulated leather upholstery, a sunroof, and a power liftgate. Hybrid buyers get 18-inch wheels while gas-burners get 19s.
The XSE is only available with a hybrid engine and it adds two-tone paint, heated front seats, simulated leather upholstery, and a 9-inch infotainment system. The Prime powertrain is also available in XSE guise and actually represents the most expensive combination of powertrain and trim available in the RAV4.
The RAV4 Adventure trim is only available with a gas engine and it gets taller roof rails, selectable drive modes, hill descent control, and fender flares. It loses the sunroof and the power liftgate from the XLE Premium though.
Next up is the Limited trim with its heated and ventilated front seats, power-adjustable passenger seat, and an 11-speaker JBL audio system. Hybrid buyers also get front and rear parking sensors as well as brown interior accents.
Above that is the TRD Off-Road trim which uses 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and gets an off-road-tuned suspension as well as unique black trim. It’s only available with a gas engine.
The Hyundai Tucson comes in seven different trims starting out with the SE which uses a 187-horsepower engine and front-wheel drive. It gets 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, and an 8-inch infotainment system equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as six speakers. Every Tucson comes with lane-keep assist, forward collision mitigation, and a driver attention warning.
The SEL gets roof rails, tinted rear windows, heated side mirrors, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with intervention, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Hyundai Tuscon Blue Hybrid comes with, you guessed it, a hybrid powertrain and features largely the same equipment as the SEL.
The Tucson SEL Convenience trim uses the hybrid powertrain but also adds a large 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, 19-inch wheels, and a panoramic sunroof. It can be had with a conventional hybrid powertrain or a plug-in version that makes 261-horsepower.
Above that, the N Line is a bit of a letdown with what ends up being nothing more than an appearance package featuring 19-inch wheels, sport front seats, a Bose premium audio system, and unique trim.
For the first time, the Hyundai Tuscon XRT Trim arrives on the scene and features side steps, unique 19-inch wheels, and “XRT-Exclusive” cladding. Of course, if you want it to have all-wheel drive you’ll have to add that as an optional extra.
The Limited trim gets a panoramic sunroof, paddle shifters, heated rear seats, a 10.25-inch infotainment system, a blind-spot camera system, a heated steering wheel, upgraded LED lights, and dark chrome exterior trim.
The Verdict
These two are close enough that it’s worth driving each if you’re in the market. We’d ebb towards the Tucson with all of its excellent features and slightly lower price tag on most trims. Still, if money were no option, the Toyota RAV4 Prime would be the way to go since it offers more all-electric range, more power than anything else here, and excellent standard features.
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