Compare the2022 Honda CR-VVS 2021 Hyundai Tucson

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-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 CR-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 CR-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, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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

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 Honda CR-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 CR-V has a better fatality history. The CR-V was involved in fatal accidents at a rate 23.9% 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 CR-V’s warranty.

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.

The CR-V’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 29 more horsepower (190 vs. 161) and 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (179 vs. 150) than the Tucson’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CR-V’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (190 vs. 181) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (179 vs. 175) than the Tucson’s optional 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Honda CR-V is faster than the Hyundai Tucson:

On the EPA test cycle the CR-V gets better mileage than the Tucson:

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the CR-V’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. The Tucson doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The CR-V 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.

The CR-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.

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

For better traction, the CR-V has larger tires than the Tucson (235/65R17 vs. 225/60R17).

The CR-V EX-L AWD handles at .83 G’s, while the Tucson Limited AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CR-V EX-L AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Tucson SE (27.5 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CR-V has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Tucson (8.2 vs. 6.4 inches), allowing the CR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the CR-V uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Tucson doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The CR-V 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 CR-V has 3.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Tucson (105.9 vs. 102.2).

The CR-V has .5 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tucson.

The rear step up height for the CR-V is 2 inches lower than the Tucson (18” vs. 20”).

The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Tucson with its rear seat up (39.2 vs. 31 cubic feet). The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Tucson with its rear seat folded (75.8 vs. 61.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CR-V easier. The CR-V’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 26 inches, while the Tucson’s liftover is 29.3 inches.

The CR-V’s cargo area is larger than the Tucson’s in every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CR-V’s 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 CR-V. The Tucson doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

When two different drivers share the CR-V EX-L/Touring, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Tucson doesn’t offer memory seats.

The CR-V EX-L/Touring’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 Tucson doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CR-V’s standard driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the switch, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Tucson’s standard power window’s switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully. The CR-V SE/EX/EX-L/Touring’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and its driver’s window also automatically closes. With the Tucson Value/SEL/Sport/Limited/Ultimate’s power windows, only the driver’s window opens or closes automatically.

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

Both the CR-V and the Tucson offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CR-V 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 CR-V will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CR-V will retain 51.86% to 55.49% 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 CR-V is less expensive to operate than the Tucson because it costs $473 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the CR-V than the Tucson, including $77 less for a water pump, $183 less for a muffler and $12 less for front brake pads.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda CR-V will be $1325 to $2588 less than for the Hyundai Tucson.

The Honda CR-V has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its April 2019 issue and they ranked the Honda CR-V EX-L AWD first. They ranked the Hyundai Tucson Ultimate AWD fifth.

The CR-V was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 20 years. The Tucson has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

Motor Trend selected the CR-V as their 2018 Sport Utility of the Year. The Tucson has never been chosen.