2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its rugged origins, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a utilitarian vehicle, it had become a status symbol with a starting price of $92,000, which could soar to $250,000 with various upgrades. The test model, priced at $106,715, featured the HSE Westminster special-edition trim, showcasing a timeless design with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling. Inside, the Range Rover exuded luxury with its Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson presented a fresh design on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in the U.S. with two rows of seating and expanded cargo space. Its exterior featured a parametric grille with integrated LED lights, creating a distinctive look. The Tucson's side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design, while the rear boasted LED taillights. Depending on the trim, it rode on 17- or 19-inch wheels, with high-end models featuring premium fascias and a panoramic sunroof. The Tucson's interior was well-appointed, with stain-resistant cloth seats and a spacious cabin, making it a strong contender in the compact SUV market.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It came with a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, ensuring its off-road capabilities. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, although the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity affected its handling on winding roads. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine produced 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid delivered 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid powertrain made the Tucson more powerful than its competitors, such as the Ford Escape Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid. Front-wheel drive models were the most fuel-efficient, with the hybrid achieving 37 mpg combined. The Tucson also offered an all-wheel-drive option, which performed well in off-road testing.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access, but shorter passengers still found it challenging to enter. The front seats were comfortable and wrapped in quality leather, while the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for the small center-console bin. The cargo area offered 25 cubic feet of space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet, but it was less than some competitors. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson boasted a spacious interior with a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat and an eight-way version available on higher trims. The new platform allowed for more passenger and cargo space, with the rear seats offering two inches more legroom than the Toyota RAV4. The Tucson's 74.8 cubic-foot cargo area was comparable to other compact SUVs, and a 60-40 split-folding bench seat provided flexibility. A dual-level cargo floor and remote release for folding the rear seats were standard, while a hands-free liftgate was available on mid-grade models and up.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, requiring users to familiarize themselves with its functions. The two 10-inch touchscreens were distracting while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover also offered a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, but required plugging in devices for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Tucson's touchpoints were responsive, but the narrow steering wheel controls were less user-friendly. The vehicle also featured a 4.2-inch multi-information display and a fully digital instrument cluster on higher trims.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, but the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. The Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite included forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Additional features such as blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system were available. Hyundai also provided a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and complimentary maintenance for three years.