Compare the2022 Fiat 500XVS 2021 Hyundai Tucson

The Fiat 500X 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 500X has standard Reactive Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Reactive Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Tucson doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the 500X. But it costs extra on the Tucson.

Both the 500X and the Tucson 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, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, front and rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The engine in the 500X 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.

The 500X’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 16 more horsepower (177 vs. 161) and 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (210 vs. 150) than the Tucson’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The 500X’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 35 lbs.-ft. more torque (210 vs. 175) than the Tucson’s optional 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the 500X gets better mileage than the Tucson:

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the 500X’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 500X 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.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Fiat 500X, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tucson.

The 500X stops much shorter than the Tucson:

For greater off-road capability the 500X has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Tucson (7.9 vs. 6.4 inches), allowing the 500X to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The 500X is 9.2 inches shorter than the Tucson, making the 500X easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 500X’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Tucson’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

The 500X’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its front windows also automatically close, 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.

The 500X’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.

Insurance will cost less for the 500X owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the 500X with a number “5” insurance rate while the Tucson is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 500X is less expensive to operate than the Tucson because it costs $346 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 500X than the Tucson, including $270 less for a muffler, $44 less for a starter and $92 less for front struts.