Compare the2022 Volvo XC40VS 2021 Hyundai Tucson

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volvo XC40 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Hyundai Tucson doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The XC40’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Tucson doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the XC40 and Tucson have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC40 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Tucson’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Volvo XC40 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tucson doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The XC40 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The Tucson doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The XC40 has standard Automatic Braking After Collision, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Tucson doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XC40 offers an optional CTA Auto Brake that use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Tucson doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the XC40 has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Tucson Value/SEL/Sport/Limited/Ultimate has a cross-path warning system.

Both the XC40 and the Tucson have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volvo XC40 is safer than the Hyundai Tucson:

	XC40	Tucson
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	209 lbs.	219 lbs.
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	97 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	37%
Neck Stress	156 lbs.	162 lbs.

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

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 Volvo XC40 is safer than the Hyundai Tucson:

	XC40	Tucson
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	78	94
Hip Force	320 lbs.	356 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	119	241
Spine Acceleration	48 G’s	55 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	237	312
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	411 lbs.	1028 lbs.

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

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, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the XC40 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 63 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Tucson is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2021.

Warranty

The XC40’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Tucson’s (12 vs. 7 years).

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the XC40 has a standard 800-amp battery. The Tucson’s 600-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The XC40 T4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 26 more horsepower (187 vs. 161) and 71 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 150) than the Tucson’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The XC40 T4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 6 more horsepower (187 vs. 181) and 46 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 175) than the Tucson’s optional 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The XC40 T5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 67 more horsepower (248 vs. 181) and 83 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 175) than the Tucson’s optional 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the XC40 T5 is faster than the Hyundai Tucson 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	XC40	Tucson
Zero to 30 MPH	2 sec	2.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	8.8 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	10.6 sec	15.2 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.3 sec	4.9 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	16.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	84.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the XC40 gets better mileage than the Tucson:

			MPG
XC40
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
Tucson
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/28 hwy
		2.4 DOHC 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	22 city/25 hwy
		2.4 DOHC 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the XC40’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip with its optional disable switch. The Tucson doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The XC40 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Tucson doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volvo XC40, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tucson.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the XC40’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Tucson:

	XC40 T4	XC40 T5	Tucson
Front Rotors	12.7 inches	13.6 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	13.4 inches	11.9 inches

The XC40 stops much shorter than the Tucson:

	XC40	Tucson
60 to 0 MPH	111 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	142 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the XC40 has larger standard tires than the Tucson (235/55R18 vs. 225/60R17).

The XC40’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.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XC40 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Tucson SE/Value. The XC40’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Tucson Sport.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XC40’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the Tucson (106.4 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

The XC40 T5 R-Design AWD handles at .86 G’s, while the Tucson Limited AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XC40 T5 R-Design AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Tucson SE (27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the XC40 has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Tucson (8.3 vs. 6.4 inches), allowing the XC40 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The XC40 has .1 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tucson.

The front step up height for the XC40 is 1.3 inches lower than the Tucson (17.7” vs. 19”). The XC40’s rear step up height is 1.8 inches lower than the Tucson’s (18.2” vs. 20”).

Cargo Capacity

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the XC40’s optional rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Tucson doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the XC40. The Tucson doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The XC40’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Tucson’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The XC40 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Tucson uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the XC40, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Tucson doesn’t offer a memory system.

The XC40’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tucson’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

If the windows are left open on the XC40 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Tucson can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The XC40’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Tucson’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC40 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.

Consumer Reports rated the XC40’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Tucson’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC40 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Tucson doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The XC40’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Tucson Value/SEL/Sport/Limited/Ultimate.

When the XC40 is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Tucson’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The XC40’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Tucson offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the XC40 and the Tucson offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the XC40 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 XC40 R-Design/Inscription’s optional Park Assist Pilot can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Tucson doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volvo XC40 and the Hyundai Tucson, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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