Compare the2022 Kia SportageVS 2022 Hyundai Tucson

Both the Sportage and the Tucson 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Sportage the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 119 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Tucson has not been tested, yet.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sportage second among compact suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Tucson isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 7th.

The Sportage SX Turbo’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (237 vs. 187) and 82 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 178) than the Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Sportage SX Turbo’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 53 more horsepower (240 vs. 187) and 82 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 178) than the Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The Sportage has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tucson (16.4 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For more complete vehicle control the Sportage has Sportmatic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. Sportmatic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The Tucson doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

For better traction, the Sportage SX Turbo’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Tucson (245/45R19 vs. 235/65R17).

The Sportage LX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tucson’s standard 65 series tires. The Sportage SX Turbo’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Tucson’s optional 55 series tires.

The Sportage offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Tucson; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Sportage has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Tucson doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better maneuverability, the Sportage’s turning circle is 3.8 feet tighter than the Tucson’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

The Sportage is 5.9 inches shorter than the Tucson, making the Sportage easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Sportage to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Tucson doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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

The Kia Sportage has won recognition from these important consumer publications: