2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting seamlessly into the Volvo lineup with its “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge featured a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, with a gloss black roof and mirror caps, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a coherent and high-quality design.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid showcased a dramatic new design with sharp, angular cues and a longer, wider body. Its grille blended seamlessly with the LED headlights, creating a futuristic look. The base Blue trim had 17-inch wheels, while the SEL Convenience trim added a panoramic sunroof and hands-free smart tailgate. The interior featured heated front seats, cloth upholstery, and an eight-way power driver seat, with the Limited trim offering a 10.25-inch digital driver display, wireless charging, and a 10-color ambient lighting kit. The Tucson’s interior was open and airy, with a bulkier center console but an unobstructed view at eye level.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The electric Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring one electric motor per axle for AWD, delivering 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, the T5 in 6.1 seconds, and the T4 in 8.1 seconds, with all versions electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability, and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid impressed with its 1.6-liter turbo-four engine and electric motor, delivering a combined 226 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, making it noticeably quicker than the gas-powered Tucson. The six-speed automatic transmission managed the power well, and the responsive steering and outstanding suspension provided a balanced ride. The Tucson Hybrid achieved an EPA rating of 37 mpg city, 36 highway, and 37 combined, with the Blue trim level rated at 38 mpg across the board. A plug-in hybrid version with a 13.8 kWh battery and 33 miles of all-electric range was expected to offer even better efficiency.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had the same passenger and cargo space as the gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Clever storage solutions included a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins due to the relocated Harman Kardon speakers. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped for a phone, with a wireless charging pad optional and a single USB-C port standard. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid offered impressive cargo space with 38.8 cubic feet in the trunk and 74.5 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. It provided over 41 inches of front and rear legroom, with rear seats that reclined. The cargo floor had a dual-level system for a flat loading floor or maximized space. The interior featured decent bottle holders in the doors, two cupholders in the center console, and a fold-down center armrest with two cupholders in the rear. The Limited trim’s ambient lighting system added flair to the cabin.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system with Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with OTA update capability for the infotainment system and other vehicle functions. Recharge models lacked a start button, using a key fob for entry and shifting out of park.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid had a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the Limited trim, but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay only utilized about 8 inches of the screen and required a wired connection. The Blue and SEL Convenience trims offered wireless connectivity with an 8-inch screen. The touch-capacitive buttons for infotainment and HVAC controls were frustrating, but steering-wheel controls helped manage commands. The Tucson provided plenty of USB ports, a beautiful touchscreen display, and a Bose premium stereo in the test vehicle.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model had a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure, with Volvo’s latest sensor suite for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid came standard with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. The Limited trim added a surround-view monitor, highway-driving assist with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot view monitor, and remote smart park assist. The IIHS awarded the Tucson a Top Safety Pick+ rating.