Compare the2023 Hyundai TucsonVS 2023 Lexus UX

The Tucson Limited has a standard Around View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The UX only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Tucson and UX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Tucson has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The UX’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Tucson and the UX 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, 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 and available all wheel drive.

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

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 Hyundai Tucson is safer than the Lexus UX:

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

The Tucson comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The UX’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Lexus covers the UX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the UX ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

The Tucson’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the UX’s (7 vs. 6 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tucson for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the UX (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 3 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Tucson’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 6th.

The Tucson’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 6 more horsepower (187 vs. 181) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Both the Tucson and UX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Tucson has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Tucson has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (14.3 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The Tucson stops much shorter than the UX:

For better traction, the Tucson has larger tires than the UX (235/65R17 vs. 225/50R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson offers optional 19-inch wheels. The UX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson’s wheelbase is 4.6 inches longer than on the UX (108.5 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the UX.

The Tucson Limited AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the UX 250h F Sport Handling AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tucson Limited AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the UX 250h F Sport Handling AWD (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

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

The Tucson has 17.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (108.2 vs. 90.4).

The Tucson has 2.8 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front hip room, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, 3.2 inches more rear headroom, 8.2 inches more rear legroom, 1.6 inches more rear hip room and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tucson’s rear seats recline. The UX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (38.7 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The UX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Tucson has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Tucson uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The UX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Tucson has a much higher standard payload capacity than the UX (1301 vs. 890 lbs.).

The Tucson has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the UX (1305 vs. 890 lbs.).

The power windows standard on both the Tucson and the UX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Tucson is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The UX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

Both the Tucson and the UX offer available heated front seats. The Tucson Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the UX.

The Tucson Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The UX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Tucson owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Tucson will cost $40 to $1805 less than the UX over a five-year period.

The Tucson will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Tucson will retain 53.76% to 54.61% of its original price after five years, while the UX only retains 50.29% to 53.08%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Tucson will be $2087 to $5958 less than for the Lexus UX.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Tucson third among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The UX isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Lexus UX by over 17 to one during 2022.