Hyundai Tucson vs INFINITI QX60

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform and was offered in the U.S. as a long-wheelbase model with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Up front, it featured Hyundai's new vehicle face, with a parametric grille hiding standard LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. The illuminated lights formed a unique shape resembling the wings of the Aztec Spirit Bird. The side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. The rear showcased toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs in all but the base model, helping the Tucson stand out among compact SUVs. Depending on the trim level, the Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch wheels, with high-end trims featuring premium fascias, front and rear skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 underwent a complete makeover, including a new exterior design, interior, powertrains, and technologies. The new front featured a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and oversized air intakes, giving it a concept-car look with plenty of chrome. The long hood and steeply-raked windshield conveyed elegance, while blacked-out pillars created a floating roof effect. The top-of-the-line Autograph trim level enhanced this effect with a contrasting black roof. The rear elevation was tasteful, with "INFINITI" spelled out in chrome letters across the liftgate. Inside, the QX60 felt wide and open, with horizontal lines and layers on the dash. The Autograph trim level featured quilted leather upholstery on the seats and dash, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, and a TFT instrument panel with crisp graphics. The QX60 models displayed a high level of craftsmanship and build quality.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came in 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 offered 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid engine made the Tucson more powerful than the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Front-wheel drive Tucsons with the ICE engine had an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, while AWD models had slightly lower figures. The Tucson Hybrid models were more fuel-efficient, with 37 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 37 mpg combined. The forthcoming Tucson PHEV was expected to deliver 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, with an estimated 25 miles of all-electric range.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined for FWD models, and 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined for AWD models. The QX60's suspension used MacPherson struts up front and an independent multilink setup in the rear, with four-wheel ventilated disc brakes and anti-lock braking. The rack-mounted electric power steering assist delivered good feel. The QX60 provided a smooth, serene ride, with generous leg and headroom in the second and third rows. The QX60 was designed for smooth highways and suburban streets, rather than off-road adventures.

The Hyundai Tucson was a budget-friendly compact SUV with a well-appointed interior. It offered a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. Drivers also got lumbar support, three-stage heated front seats, ventilated front seats, memory for the driver’s seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat. The tilt and telescoping steering wheel was standard, with leather-wrapped and heated options on higher trims. The new Tucson platform provided more room for passengers and cargo, with a 74.8 cubic-foot cargo area. The rear seats offered two inches more legroom than the RAV4, and the cabin had plenty of space for a family of four. The rear featured a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor on ICE models.

The INFINITI QX60 catered to all passengers with storage throughout the cabin, charging ports, and plenty of comfort. The front featured a roomy center console with a cubby for smartphones, two big cupholders, and covered storage. The second-row seats rode on rails, allowing them to slide fore and aft. The Autograph trim level featured twin second-row captain’s chairs separated by a deep, removable center console. The seats quickly flipped forward for access to the third row, which could comfortably seat a nimble adult. The QX60 offered 14.5 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 75.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The QX60 had a 3,500-pound towing capacity, expandable to 6,000 pounds with the towing package.

The Hyundai Tucson came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. The SEL/Blue trim level added satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, two additional USB outlets, rear air conditioning vents, and dual-zone automatic climate control. A 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen was available, but required plugging in Apple and Android devices for CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen was embedded within a black plastic head unit that included climate control and radio/media functionality. The touchpoints were responsive, but the narrow steering wheel controls were not as easy to use as bulkier buttons.

The INFINITI QX60 featured full LED headlights, running lights, taillamps, and a power liftgate. The 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display came with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity. An AT&T WiFi hotspot could connect up to seven devices. Six USB charge points were standard, with seven in Sensory and above models. A wireless charging pad was standard on Sensory and Autograph models. The navigation system was standard in all but the base Pure trim level. The Autograph models featured a 10.8-inch head-up display and a smart rearview mirror. The QX60 also had Infiniti’s Intelligent Key with memory, storing seat position and most recently used audio and climate controls. A nine-speaker audio system was standard in Pure and Luxe models, with a 17-speaker Bose Performance series sound system available in Luxe and standard on Sensory and Autograph.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. The Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite 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. Additional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, parking collision avoidance assist, ultrasonic rear occupant alert, and remote parking assist. Hyundai offered a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, and 7-year anti-perforation warranty, along with 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary oil changes and tire rotations.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. The previous-generation vehicle received the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick rating and the NHTSA five-star rating. The QX60 came with front- and side-impact airbags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact airbags, driver- and front-passenger knee airbags, second-row side-impact airbags, and front central seat-mounted airbags. It also had LATCH connectors and advanced driver assistance systems, including forward emergency braking, predictive forward-collision warning, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, rearview camera, rear sonar, and blind-spot warning. ProPilot Assist was standard on all trim levels except Pure, with additional features like blind-spot intervention, lane-departure warning, lane-departure prevention, around-view monitor camera system, front sonar, and driver attention alert.