Hyundai Tucson vs Jeep Renegade

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, was inspired by the iconic Wrangler SUV, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. Its design, refreshed in 2019, carried over into 2021 with some previously optional features becoming standard. Inside, the Renegade offered a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack reminiscent of the Wrangler, making controls easily accessible. It came in various trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each offering unique features and equipment.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in the U.S. with two rows of seating and expanded cargo space. Its front showcased Hyundai's new design with a parametric grille hiding LED lights, forming a unique shape when illuminated. The side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. The rear featured toothy taillights, illuminated by LEDs in all but the base model, giving it a distinctive look. The Tucson rode on 17- or 19-inch wheels, depending on the trim, with high-end models featuring premium fascias, skid plates, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. While neither engine was particularly spirited, the turbocharged option provided more torque and refinement. The Renegade's ride quality was solid, with good cornering stability and maneuverability in tight spaces. It featured a terrain management system with various drive modes, and the Trailhawk trim was "Trail Rated" for off-road capability.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine with 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The ICE engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid used a six-speed. The hybrid powertrain offered more power and efficiency, with the Tucson Hybrid achieving 37 mpg combined. All-wheel drive was standard on the hybrid and available on ICE models, providing excellent performance in off-road conditions. The Tucson PHEV, with a 13.8-kilowatt-hour battery, promised even more power and efficiency.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use, above average for the subcompact SUV segment. Its tall, boxy design offered ample headroom in both rows, with good front legroom and adequate rear legroom for adults. The Renegade featured various storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold forward for additional space.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, a budget-friendly compact SUV, offered a well-appointed interior comparable to top competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with an eight-way version available on higher trims, along with lumbar support and heated front seats. The new platform provided more passenger and cargo space, with 74.8 cubic feet of cargo area, surpassing many rivals. The rear seats offered more legroom than the RAV4, and the cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four. A 60-40 split-folding bench seat and dual-level cargo floor added versatility.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect system, featuring a logical menu layout, easy-to-read graphics, and a helpful dock for major functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a Kenwood premium audio system available.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson boasted a strong set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, though it required plugging in devices for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen was part of a black plastic head unit with integrated climate and media controls, which could be challenging to use while driving. A fully digital instrument cluster was available on higher trims, and steering wheel controls and voice commands helped mitigate the lack of physical buttons.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade made several safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and parking sensors were optional. Despite these features, the Renegade received a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features through Hyundai SmartSense. Standard features included forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and more. Optional features included blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai's warranties provided additional peace of mind, with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and complimentary maintenance for three years.