2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform that was marketed exclusively as a long-wheelbase model in the U.S. It offered two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area, which provided ample space for families and their belongings. The Tucson’s front end showcased the new face of Hyundai vehicles, with the parametric grille concealing the standard LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. When illuminated, these lights formed a distinctive shape reminiscent of the wings of the Aztec Spirit Bird.

Along the side, the Tucson emulated the design styling of the Hyundai Elantra, featuring a silver D-pillar that visually connected the window surrounds to the rear, creating a unique floating roof appearance. At the rear, the Tucson had toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs in all but the base model. This design element helped the Tucson stand out in the crowded market of compact SUVs.

The Tucson rode on either 17-inch or 19-inch wheels, depending on the trim level. The SE, SEL, and Blue trims, powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE), featured 17-inch alloys, while the SEL with the Convenience Package upgraded to 19-inch alloys. The Tucson N-Line trim showcased a darkened, complex wheel design unique to that trim. High-end Tucsons sported premium fascias, front and rear skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof, adding a touch of luxury to the SUV.

The interior of the Tucson was well-appointed, featuring standard stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, which could be upgraded to sport combination or leather-trimmed seats on the N-Line and Limited trims, respectively. The cabin boasted horizontal lines across the dashboard, where the vents were integrated seamlessly. The uncluttered aesthetic and soft-touch surfaces provided an upscale feel, considering the Tucson’s competitive price point.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, redesigned in 2019, presented a robust and blocky appearance, a departure from its former crossover styling. The trapezoidal grille took inspiration from Toyota's truck line, adding a sense of heft. Angular bodywork framed the headlights, enhancing the SUV’s modern look. Though initially distinctive, this design became more common as other manufacturers adopted similar themes.

Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid featured an angular, multi-tiered dashboard with beveled cutouts to add visual interest to an otherwise plain surface. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted atop the dash, accompanied by a satisfactory number of physical buttons and knobs for primary controls. Despite the use of hard plastics, the materials quality was average for the class, with most contact surfaces lightly padded. However, the base model and new Woodland trim opted for a rubbery urethane steering wheel and center armrest, which felt cheap. Most other trims provided a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Overall, the RAV4 Hybrid’s build quality was solid, with no creaks or rattles over rough terrain. It managed to deliver a practical yet unexceptional driving experience, aimed at satisfying the needs of most users.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. Hyundai paired the ICE engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid version received a six-speed transmission. The ICE engine produced 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, representing a modest improvement over the previous generation. Hyundai targeted a combined fuel efficiency of 28 mpg for this engine. However, it was the hybrid powertrain that stood out, delivering 226 total system horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This made the Tucson Hybrid more enjoyable to drive, with significantly better performance compared to the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Front-wheel drive models of the Tucson powered by the ICE engine achieved 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined. Adding all-wheel drive (AWD) reduced these figures slightly. The hybrid model was notably more fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated 37 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg combined. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant, although not fully road-tested, promised 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful Tucson in the lineup.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, on the other hand, was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup provided 219 horsepower and enabled the RAV4 Hybrid to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. The hybrid powertrain was about half a second quicker than the standard RAV4, while the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime achieved an impressive 5.5 seconds for the same sprint.

The RAV4 Hybrid’s brakes, including regenerative braking, smoothly transitioned to traditional braking under aggressive stops, providing an efficient and unobtrusive driving experience. Its suspension effectively managed moderate bumps and potholes while delivering confident handling without being sporty. The RAV4 Hybrid’s driving dynamics were competent but unremarkable, aligning with the expectations for its class.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson’s interior was designed to offer a premium feel despite its budget-friendly nature. Standard features included a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with higher trims upgrading to an eight-way version with lumbar support. The cabin also featured three-stage heated front seats, ventilated front seats, memory settings for the driver’s seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat. A tilt and telescoping steering wheel were standard, with the Limited trim adding a heated option.

The new platform translated into a more spacious cabin, providing ample room for passengers and cargo. The Tucson had slightly less front legroom compared to some competitors but offered two inches more rear legroom than the RAV4. The cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four on long road trips. The Tucson boasted 74.8 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, and Honda CR-V. The dual-level cargo floor and remote seat-release functionality added to its practicality.

In comparison, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid provided ample space in the front seats for larger passengers, while the rear seats offered sufficient room for average-sized adults. Rear headroom was slightly better than in the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, though legroom was marginally less. The rear cushions were set low, which might leave taller passengers wishing for more thigh support on long trips.

The RAV4 Hybrid offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, just 0.1 cubic feet less than the non-hybrid RAV4. This lack of significant sacrifice for the battery pack was a notable advantage. Although the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage offered slightly more cargo space, the difference was minimal. The RAV4 excelled in interior storage, with a wide dashboard shelf, a phone tray, and large cupholders, providing practical solutions for everyday needs.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was equipped with a robust set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. Higher trims added satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, additional USB outlets, rear air conditioning vents, and dual-zone automatic climate control. A 10.25-inch touchscreen was available, though it required wired connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen integrated climate control and media functionality, though the flat surface made it challenging to locate touchpoints without distraction. Steering wheel controls and voice commands became essential for ease of use.

For the 2023 model year, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system. The updated system featured modern, sharp graphics and logically arranged menus, reducing driver distraction. Most trims came with an 8-inch display, while higher trims upgraded to a 10.5-inch touchscreen. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, a wireless charging pad was optional and not available in the online configurator at the time.

The infotainment system supported over-the-air updates, ensuring it remained current. Connectivity features included a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote vehicle monitoring. Higher trims also offered a fully digital instrument panel. The six-speaker audio system on most RAV4 models delivered adequate sound quality, with the Limited trim offering an upgraded 11-speaker JBL system.

Safety was a priority for both models. The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at the time of review. However, it came with Hyundai’s SmartSense Safety Feature suite, which included 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. Additional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and remote parking assist.

Hyundai backed the Tucson with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty, a 7-year anti-perforation warranty, and 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received high safety ratings from NHTSA, scoring five stars for overall and side crash protection, and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. IIHS awarded the RAV4 its highest score of "Good" in most categories, with an "Acceptable" rating in the new moderate overlap frontal and side-impact tests. It was named a Top Safety Pick.

Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite, standard on all RAV4 Hybrid models, included features such as forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a traffic sign reader. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, parking sensors with automatic braking, and optional surround-view cameras and digital rearview mirrors. These systems performed reliably, offering smooth and responsive controls during adaptive cruise usage.