2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson presented a more conventional design compared to its futuristic successor. It featured an upright layout that offered a commanding view of the road, complemented by a modern and attractive dashboard design. The tech features were seamlessly integrated into the overall aesthetic, with every button and dial easily accessible. The Tucson was available in several trims, including SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate, each offering a range of features from basic 17-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system to more advanced options like a panoramic sunroof and heated rear seats in the Ultimate trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that was unmistakably Range Rover. It featured a sporty package with a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a trapezoidal roof. The Velar's exterior was characterized by its sleek, liquid form, flush door handles, and distinctive taillight lenses. The interior was equally impressive, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The Velar's design was both blocky and streamlined, offering a luxurious feel that was hard to match in the small luxury SUV segment.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came with two engine options: a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, and a more robust 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, with the choice of front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The base engine was considered underwhelming, especially at highway speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine offered a livelier performance around town. The Tucson provided a comfortable and refined ride, with a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, sharing its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offered a unique driving experience for a Land Rover. It featured a base 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's performance was enhanced by an optional air suspension with adaptive dampers, providing a plush and isolated ride. The Velar also offered a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, available in two states of tune, delivering up to 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain provided high performance while reducing emissions, although it did not offer the off-road capabilities of larger Range Rover models.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it provided adequate space for weekend trips. The Tucson's interior was comfortable, with solid front-seat headroom and legroom, and accommodating rear seats for adults. The vehicle also featured numerous cubbies and compartments for storage.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, while stylish, sacrificed interior space for its design. It offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's exterior design reduced headroom, especially for rear-seat passengers, and limited visibility due to thick B-pillars and small rear windows. The vehicle's interior featured a new Pivi Pro infotainment system, which was faster and easier to use, but the design of some controls, like the parking brake, was criticized for being illogical and potentially dangerous.

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, with optional features like navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout with fewer icons and more logical arrangements. It featured a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could identify frequent routes and suggest traffic detours, while the 4x4 app provided off-road measurements. The Velar also came standard with LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

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. Upper-tier trims added features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in the European NCAP, with a five-star rating and a 93-percent score for multiple impact tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.