2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson featured a more conventional design, appealing to those who preferred a traditional small crossover aesthetic. Its upright layout provided a commanding view of the road, and the interior boasted a modern, attractive dash design. Tech features were seamlessly integrated, making buttons and dials easy to locate. The trim levels for the 2021 Tucson included SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate, each offering a range of features from 17-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system to leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform and showcased a futuristic design. The long-wheelbase model offered in the U.S. provided an expanded cargo area and two rows of seating. The front featured a parametric grille with integrated LED daytime running lights and Bi-LED headlights, forming a unique shape when illuminated. The side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design, while the rear had distinctive LED taillights. The 2022 Tucson came with either 17- or 19-inch wheels, depending on the trim level, and high-end models featured premium fascias, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came with two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at highway speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier performance. The Tucson had a comfortable, refined ride, and could tow up to 1,500 pounds with the base engine and 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain variants: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain, with 226 total system horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, provided a more engaging driving experience. The Tucson Hybrid was more powerful than its competitors and offered AWD as standard. The ICE engine achieved an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, while the hybrid models were far more fuel-efficient, with up to 38 mpg combined.

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 for the compact SUV segment, it offered adequate space for weekend bags or large boxes. The front seats provided solid headroom and legroom, and the rear seats were accommodating enough for adults on road trips. The Tucson also featured plenty of cubbies and compartments for storage.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, built on a new platform, offered more room for passengers and cargo. The cabin was well-appointed, with standard stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, and available sport combination and leather-trimmed seats. The front seats were comfortable, with a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat standard and an eight-way version available. The rear seats offered two inches more legroom than the RAV4, and the cargo area provided 74.8 cubic feet of space, comparable to the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V. The rear featured a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor on ICE models.

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

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson boasted a strong set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. 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, and the touchpoints on the center console were less intuitive, relying more on steering wheel controls and voice commands.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 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. Upper-tier trims offered adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, a 360-degree parking monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned five stars from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and more. Additional available features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai backed the Tucson with a comprehensive warranty, including a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.