Compare the2022 BMW X1 VS 2021 Hyundai Tucson

The BMW X1 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help 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.

Both the X1 and the Tucson have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X1 is safer than the Hyundai Tucson:

	X1	Tucson
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	187	226
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	37%

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 BMW X1 is safer than the Hyundai Tucson:

	X1	Tucson
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	193	241
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	278	312
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	815 lbs.	1028 lbs.

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

The X1’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Tucson’s (12 vs. 7 years).

The X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 67 more horsepower (228 vs. 161) and 108 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 150) than the Tucson’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (228 vs. 181) and 83 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 175) than the Tucson’s optional 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the BMW X1 is faster than the Hyundai Tucson:

	X1	Tucson 2.0	Tucson 2.4
Zero to 30 MPH	3.5 sec	4 sec	3.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.9 sec	11 sec	9.6 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.6 sec	6.9 sec	4.9 sec
Quarter Mile	16.3 sec	18.3 sec	17.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92.2 MPH	80.2 MPH	83 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the X1 gets better mileage than the Tucson:

			MPG
X1
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 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

Regenerative brakes improve the X1’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Tucson doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the X1’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.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X1 higher (7 out of 10) than the Hyundai Tucson (5 to 7). This means the X1 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Tucson every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X1, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tucson.

The X1’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Tucson doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X1’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Tucson:

	X1	Tucson
Front Rotors	13 inches	12 inches

The X1’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 are solid, not vented.

The X1 stops shorter than the Tucson:

	X1	Tucson
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend

The X1’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 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 X1 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Tucson SE/Value.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X1 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Tucson doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X1 xDrive28i handles at .85 G’s, while the Tucson Limited AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X1 xDrive28i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Tucson SE (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X1 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Tucson (7.2 vs. 6.4 inches), allowing the X1 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The X1 has 2.3 inches more front headroom and .2 inches more rear headroom than the Tucson.

The front step up height for the X1 is 2 inches lower than the Tucson (17” vs. 19”). The X1’s rear step up height is 2.7 inches lower than the Tucson’s (17.3” vs. 20”).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X1. The Tucson doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The X1 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 26% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 24th.

When two different drivers share the X1, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Tucson doesn’t offer a memory system.

The X1 offers an optional 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 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X1’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 X1 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows 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.

The X1’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.

The X1’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 X1 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Tucson’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The X1’s optional 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.

The X1 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Tucson SEL/Sport/Limited/Ultimate.

Both the X1 and the Tucson offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the X1 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 X1’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Tucson doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the X1 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X1 with a number “3” insurance rate while the Tucson is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

The X1 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 5 years. The Tucson has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.