2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended into the crowded compact crossover market. Its styling was nearly identical to its competitors, with only minor details like the grille and some chromed plastic features setting it apart. The CR-V was available in eight colors, but most were shades of gray, black, or white, with vibrant colors like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic being rare and limited to higher trims. Inside, the CR-V offered black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, with higher trims featuring wood panels and more chrome for a modern look. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling, especially at mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform and featured a bold design with a parametric grille hiding LED lights, giving it a unique look. The side profile borrowed styling cues from the Hyundai Elantra, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. The rear had distinctive toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs. The Tucson rode on 17- or 19-inch wheels, depending on the trim, and higher trims featured premium fascias, skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, horizontal lines across the dashboard, and an uncluttered aesthetic, making it feel spacious and upscale.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not known for its thrilling performance but offered smooth and steady acceleration with its 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It took about 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph, which was competitive within its class. The CR-V featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that provided predictable cornering and a decent driving experience. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The suspension setup included a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, ensuring decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine delivering 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The ICE engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid got a six-speed. The hybrid powertrain made the Tucson more powerful and fun to drive, especially in challenging conditions. The Tucson offered all-wheel drive as an option for ICE models and standard for hybrids. The ICE engine achieved an EPA-estimated 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, while the hybrid models were more fuel-efficient, with up to 38 mpg combined.

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 volume with the rear seats folded. The cargo area could be accessed via a manual tailgate on lower trims, a power tailgate on the EX-L, and a hands-free power tailgate on the Touring trim. Roof rails were standard only on the top-of-the-line Touring trim.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson provided a spacious and well-appointed interior, comparable to its competitors. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. The rear seats offered more legroom than the RAV4, and the cabin had more passenger volume than the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape. The cargo area had 74.8 cubic feet of space, with a dual-level cargo floor on ICE models. A hands-free liftgate was available on mid-grade models and up.

The 2021 Honda CR-V offered a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity on the base LX trim, while other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system ranged from a 180-watt system with six speakers on the Special Edition and EX trims to a 300-watt system with a subwoofer on the Touring trim. Charging ports were available throughout the cabin, with a wireless phone charger on the Touring trim.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports as standard. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The larger screen required plugging in devices for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The center console featured touchpoints for climate control and media functionality, which could be challenging to use while driving.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system as standard on all trims, including a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard on the EX trim and above.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. It featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, a driver attention monitor, rear occupant alert, speed limit assist, and leading vehicle departure alert as standard. Optional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and remote parking assist. Hyundai also offered a comprehensive warranty package and complimentary maintenance for three years.