Compare the2022 Honda HR-VVS 2021 Hyundai Tucson

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the HR-V deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The HR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Tucson’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the HR-V 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda HR-V is safer than the Hyundai Tucson:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Honda HR-V has a better fatality history. The HR-V was involved in fatal accidents at a rate 14.7% lower per vehicle registered than the Tucson, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

There are over 28 percent more Honda dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the HR-V’s warranty.

The engine in the HR-V has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Tucson have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

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 HR-V’s reliability 12 points higher than the Tucson.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 1 place higher in reliability than Hyundai.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Honda HR-V is faster than the Hyundai Tucson 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

The HR-V has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Tucson doesn’t offer a CVT.

The HR-V stops shorter than the Tucson:

The HR-V’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tucson SE/Value’s standard 60 series tires.

The HR-V EX-L AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Tucson Limited AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the HR-V has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Tucson (6.7 vs. 6.4 inches), allowing the HR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The HR-V Sport’s minimum ground clearance is .5 inch higher than on the Tucson (6.9 vs. 6.4 inches).

The Honda HR-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 600 pounds less than the Hyundai Tucson.

The HR-V is 6 inches shorter than the Tucson, making the HR-V easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The HR-V Sport/EX/EX-L uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Tucson doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The HR-V’s driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Tucson’s standard driver’s power window switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

Consumer Reports rated the HR-V’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Tucson’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The HR-V will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the HR-V will retain 52.22% to 53.55% of its original price after five years, while the Tucson only retains 47.11% to 48.69%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the HR-V is less expensive to operate than the Tucson because it costs $228 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the HR-V than the Tucson, including $15 less for a water pump, $195 less for a muffler, $2 less for front brake pads and $164 less for fuel injection.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda HR-V will be $3842 to $4879 less than for the Hyundai Tucson.