2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended into the sea of compact crossovers. Its styling was nearly identical to its competitors, with only minor details like the grille and some chromed plastic features setting it apart. The color palette was limited, especially for the base LX trim, which only offered black, silver, and white. The interior featured black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, with higher trims adding wood panels and more chrome for a more upscale appearance. However, vehicles like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling, especially at mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid showcased a dramatic new design with sharp, angular cues and a unique grille that blended seamlessly with the LED headlights. The Tucson was longer and wider than its predecessor, making it stand out in the segment. The interior was open and airy, with a bulkier center console but an unobstructed view at eye level. The Limited trim added ambient lighting, enhancing the cabin's flair. The Tucson's design was a bold move, potentially polarizing but undeniably distinctive.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not built for thrilling acceleration or high Gs on the skidpad. It featured a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all nine trims, excluding the hybrid variants. Road tests showed it could accelerate to 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth, steady acceleration but lacked engagement. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. The suspension setup was typical for the class, offering decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, however, impressed with its performance. It featured a 1.6-liter turbo-four engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Tucson Hybrid felt noticeably quicker than its gas-powered counterpart. Its steering was responsive, and the six-speed automatic transmission managed everything well. The suspension was outstanding, absorbing road imperfections without feeling bouncy. The Tucson Hybrid also offered good fuel economy, with the EPA rating it at 37 mpg combined. A plug-in hybrid variant was expected to offer even better efficiency.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to fit five people comfortably and carry their gear. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo space with the rear seats folded. The tailgate options varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a hands-free power tailgate. Roof rails were only standard on the top-tier Touring trim.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, despite its larger footprint, did not look huge but packed a ton of cargo space. It offered 38.8 cubic feet in the trunk and 74.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Tucson also provided excellent front and rear legroom, with over 41 inches each. The cargo floor had a dual-level system, and the interior featured multiple cupholders and bottle holders. The Limited trim added ambient lighting, enhancing the cabin's appeal.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity. Other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful, with the Touring trim adding a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid's tech was consistently good but sometimes frustrating. The 10.25-inch touchscreen in the Limited trim looked great but only utilized about 8 inches for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, requiring a wired connection. The smaller 8-inch screen in lower trims offered wireless connectivity. The touch-capacitive buttons for the infotainment and HVAC controls were less user-friendly. However, the Tucson provided plenty of USB ports and a Bose premium stereo in the Limited trim.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid also prioritized safety, with standard features like automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, driver-attention monitor, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, safe-exit warning, and rear occupant alert. The Limited trim added a surround-view monitor, highway-driving assist, and unique features like blind-spot view monitor and remote smart park assist. The Tucson earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award.