Compare the2022 Toyota Highlander HybridVS 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid 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 Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Highlander Hybrid has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Highlander Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Tucson Hybrid 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.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and the Tucson Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid weighs 578 to 951 pounds more than the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 50 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander Hybrid’s warranty.

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 Highlander Hybrid’s reliability 19 points higher than the Tucson Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 7th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Hyundai is ranked 6th.

The Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 17 more horsepower (243 vs. 226) than the Tucson Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Highlander Hybrid has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tucson Hybrid (17.1 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Highlander Hybrid 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 Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

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

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Tucson Hybrid are solid, not vented.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Highlander Hybrid LE/XLE/Bronze has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Tucson Hybrid Blue. The Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Tucson Hybrid SEL/Limited.

The Highlander Hybrid has a standard 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 Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander Hybrid’s wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the Tucson Hybrid (112.2 inches vs. 108.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander Hybrid is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Tucson Hybrid.

For better maneuverability, the Highlander Hybrid’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Tucson Hybrid’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The Highlander Hybrid has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Tucson Hybrid can only carry 5.

The Highlander Hybrid has 33.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Tucson Hybrid (141.3 vs. 107.9).

The Highlander Hybrid has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 2.7 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 3.1 inches more rear hip room and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tucson Hybrid.

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area provides more volume than the Tucson Hybrid.

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

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Tucson Hybrid’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Highlander Hybrid has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Tucson Hybrid (1495 vs. 925 lbs.).

The Highlander Hybrid has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Tucson Hybrid (1535 vs. 925 lbs.).

The Highlander Hybrid Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Highlander Hybrid’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 Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Highlander Hybrid 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. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Tucson Hybrid can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Highlander Hybrid Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Highlander Hybrid to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Highlander Hybrid Bronze/Limited/Platinum 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 Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Highlander Hybrid Bronze/Limited/Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Highlander Hybrid is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Hyundai Tucson by 87% during the 2021 model year.