Compare the2023 Hyundai TucsonVS 2022 Ford EcoSport

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Tucson are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Tucson has standard Automatic Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The EcoSport doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Tucson Limited has standard Reverse Collision-Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The EcoSport doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Tucson’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

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

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Tucson has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Ford charges extra for rear cross-path warning on the EcoSport and its not available on the S.

The Tucson’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Tucson and the EcoSport 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras 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 Ford EcoSport:

	Tucson	EcoSport
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24%	36%
Neck Stress	164 lbs.	403 lbs.
Neck Compression	14 lbs.	60 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	27/60 lbs.	495/441 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	325	325
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35%	38%
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	200 lbs.
Neck Compression	59 lbs.	74 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	51/13 lbs.	329/236 lbs.

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, results indicate that the Hyundai Tucson is safer than the Ford EcoSport:

	Tucson	EcoSport
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	37	195

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Tucson is 1.7% to 4.5% less likely to roll over than the EcoSport.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tucson its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 127 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The EcoSport has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

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 EcoSport’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Ford covers the EcoSport. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the EcoSport ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Tucson’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the EcoSport’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tucson for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the EcoSport.

Reliability

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 Tucson’s reliability 20 points higher than the EcoSport.

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 Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 16th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 5 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (187 vs. 166) and 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 149) than the EcoSport’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Tucson is faster than the Ford EcoSport:

	Tucson	EcoSport
Zero to 30 MPH	3.3 sec	3.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	9.6 sec	10.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.3 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	17.2 sec	18.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84 MPH	79 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Tucson has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver the fuel filler door is not lockable on the EcoSport. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

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

Transmission

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

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Tucson	EcoSport
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	10.7 inches

The Tucson stops much shorter than the EcoSport:

	Tucson	EcoSport
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	132 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	131 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Tucson has larger tires than the EcoSport (235/65R17 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the EcoSport. The Tucson’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels optional on the EcoSport.

The Hyundai Tucson’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Ford EcoSport only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson’s wheelbase is 9.3 inches longer than on the EcoSport (108.5 inches vs. 99.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 4.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the EcoSport.

The Tucson Limited AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the EcoSport SE pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tucson Limited AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the EcoSport SE (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .54 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Tucson has 17.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the EcoSport (108.2 vs. 91.1).

The Tucson has .5 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 4.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear headroom, 4.6 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more rear hip room and 4.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the EcoSport.

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

Cargo Capacity

The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EcoSport with its rear seat up (38.7 vs. 20.9 cubic feet). The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EcoSport with its rear seat folded (80.3 vs. 50 cubic feet).

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

The Tucson’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The EcoSport’s swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Tucson SEL/XRT/N Line/Limited’s power cargo door can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Tucson’s power cargo door can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Tucson Limited, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The EcoSport doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Tucson Limited’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 EcoSport doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Tucson’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The EcoSport has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Tucson SEL/XRT/N Line/Limited’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and the driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The EcoSport’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Tucson’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the EcoSport can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tucson’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the EcoSport’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen. The Tucson’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the EcoSport’s projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Tucson detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The EcoSport doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

Both the Tucson and the EcoSport 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 EcoSport.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Tucson Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The EcoSport doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Tucson (except SE)’s optional 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. The EcoSport doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Tucson and the EcoSport offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tucson SEL/XRT/N Line/Limited has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The EcoSport doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Tucson SEL/XRT/N Line/Limited has a standard Smart Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The EcoSport doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Tucson SEL/XRT/N Line/Limited has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The EcoSport doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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 EcoSport doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

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

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Tucson owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Tucson will cost $635 less than the EcoSport 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 EcoSport only retains 44.94% to 46.13%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Tucson, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Ford EcoSport isn't recommended.

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 EcoSport isn’t in the top three.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Ford EcoSport by over six to one during 2022.

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