2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a design that fit well within Ford's SUV lineup, sharing a family resemblance with models like the Escape, Edge, and Expedition. Its exterior was sporty with raked belt lines and distinctive visages, though it could be hard to distinguish from the Edge at a quick glance. The Explorer offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and price points ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, it featured three rows of seats as standard, with the base model offering cloth upholstery and a clean dashboard dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen. The XLT trim, which was the most popular, added better equipment and finishes, while higher trims like the Limited and ST offered leather upholstery and more advanced features.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson, in contrast, had a more conventional design compared to its futuristic successor. It featured an upright layout that provided a commanding view of the road. Inside, the Tucson boasted a modern and attractive dash design with tech features seamlessly integrated. The Tucson came in six trims: SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate. The base SE trim included 17-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like LED headlights, power-adjustable seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Ultimate trim offered premium features like an 8-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds. Its base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, outperforming the Kia Telluride's V6 engine. The Explorer's higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, with the sport-oriented ST trim offering 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. All trims came with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine, making it suitable for towing mid-sized trailers.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and came with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at higher speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier performance around town. The Tucson had a comfortable and refined ride, striking a balance between softness and athleticism. Its towing capacity was 1,500 pounds with the base engine and 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base model had seating for seven, while other trims offered captain's chairs in the second row, reducing seating capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, which was competitive within its segment. With the third row deployed, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, this cargo volume was on the lower side compared to some competitors.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While this was on the lower side within the compact SUV segment, it still offered adequate space for most needs. The Tucson's front seats provided solid headroom and legroom, and the rear seats were comfortable enough for adults on longer trips. The interior featured plenty of storage compartments and cubbies for small items.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Higher trims added a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, HD radio, and an optional 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer also provided multiple USB ports and 12-volt power points, with higher trims offering a 110-volt AC power outlet and a wireless charging pad.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim featured an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The touchscreen was user-friendly with logical menu layouts and hard buttons for backup. Additional available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, achieving top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer's base trim included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, featuring auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, a 360-degree parking monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS.