Compare the2022 Hyundai TucsonVS 2021 Ford EcoSport

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Tucson are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Tucson has standard Automatic Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The EcoSport doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Tucson Limited has standard Reverse Collision-Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The EcoSport doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Tucson’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Tucson Limited has a standard Around View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The EcoSport only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Tucson’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Tucson and the EcoSport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Warranty

The Tucson comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The EcoSport’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Ford covers the EcoSport. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the EcoSport ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Tucson’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the EcoSport’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tucson for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the EcoSport.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Tucson’s reliability 22 points higher than the EcoSport.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 16th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 16 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 64 more horsepower (187 vs. 123) and 53 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 125) than the EcoSport’s standard 1.0 turbo 3-cylinder. The Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (187 vs. 166) and 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 149) than the EcoSport’s optional 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Tucson is faster than the Ford EcoSport 4 cyl.:

	Tucson	EcoSport
Zero to 30 MPH	3.3 sec	3.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	9.6 sec	10.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.3 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	17.2 sec	18.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84 MPH	79 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Tucson gets better mileage than the EcoSport:

			MPG
Tucson
	FWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/29 hwy
EcoSport
	FWD	1.0 turbo 3-cyl.	27 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Tucson uses regular unleaded gasoline. The EcoSport with the 1.0 turbo 3-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Hyundai Tucson, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the EcoSport.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Tucson’s brake rotors are larger than those on the EcoSport:

	Tucson	EcoSport
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	10.7 inches

The Tucson stops shorter than the EcoSport:

	Tucson	EcoSport
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	132 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	131 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Tucson has larger tires than the EcoSport (235/65R17 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the EcoSport. The Tucson’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels optional on the EcoSport.

The Hyundai Tucson’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Ford EcoSport only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Tucson has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The EcoSport 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Tucson has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Tucson flat and controlled during cornering. The EcoSport 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson’s wheelbase is 9.3 inches longer than on the EcoSport (108.5 inches vs. 99.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 4.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the EcoSport.

Passenger Space

The Tucson has 17.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the EcoSport (108.2 vs. 91.1).

The Tucson has .5 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 4.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear headroom, 4.6 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more rear hip room and 4.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the EcoSport.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tucson’s rear seats recline. The EcoSport’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EcoSport with its rear seat up (38.7 vs. 20.9 cubic feet). The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EcoSport with its rear seat folded (80.3 vs. 50 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The EcoSport doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Tucson’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The EcoSport’s swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Tucson’s power cargo door can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Tucson’s power cargo door can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

Towing

The Tucson’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the EcoSport’s (2000 vs. 1400 pounds).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Tucson Limited, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The EcoSport doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Tucson Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The EcoSport doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Tucson’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The EcoSport has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Tucson SEL/N Line/Limited’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and the driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The EcoSport’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Tucson’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the EcoSport can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tucson has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Tucson detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The EcoSport doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

Both the Tucson and the EcoSport offer available heated front seats. The Tucson Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the EcoSport.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Tucson (except SE) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The EcoSport doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Tucson (except SE)’s optional dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The EcoSport doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Tucson and the EcoSport offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tucson SEL/N Line/Limited has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The EcoSport doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Tucson SEL/N Line/Limited has a standard Smart Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The EcoSport doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Tucson (except SE) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The EcoSport doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Tucson Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The EcoSport doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Tucson, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Ford EcoSport isn't recommended.