Compare the2023 Hyundai Tucson VS 2023 Honda HR-V

The Tucson Limited has a standard Around View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The HR-V 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.

The Tucson has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the HR-V Sport/EX-L offers a blind spot warning system.

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. Only the HR-V Sport/EX-L offers Cross Traffic Monitor and the HR-V’s Cross Traffic Monitor does not include automatic braking.

Both the Tucson and the HR-V 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

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 front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tucson its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 135 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The HR-V is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

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 HR-V’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 Honda covers the HR-V. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the HR-V ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tucson for 1 year and 12000 miles longer than Honda pays for maintenance for the HR-V (3/36,000 vs. 2/24,000).

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 Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 24th.

The Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 29 more horsepower (187 vs. 158) and 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 138) than the HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Tucson is faster than the Honda HR-V:

	Tucson	HR-V
Zero to 30 MPH	3.3 sec	4.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	9.6 sec	11.1 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.3 sec	6.5 sec
Quarter Mile	17.2 sec	18.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84 MPH	81 MPH

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Tucson’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 HR-V doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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

	Tucson	HR-V
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	12.3 inches

The Tucson stops shorter than the HR-V:

	Tucson	HR-V
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	131 feet	148 feet	Consumer Reports

For better traction, the Tucson has larger tires than the HR-V (235/65R17 vs. 215/60R17). The Tucson’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the HR-V (235/65R17 vs. 225/55R18).

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the HR-V (108.5 inches vs. 104.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the HR-V.

The Tucson Limited AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the HR-V EX-L 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 1.1 seconds quicker than the HR-V EX-L AWD (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .56 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 HR-V doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Tucson has 9.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the HR-V (108.2 vs. 98.7).

The Tucson has .7 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more rear legroom, 6.5 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the HR-V.

The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the HR-V with its rear seat up (38.7 vs. 24.4 cubic feet). The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the HR-V with its rear seat folded (80.3 vs. 55.1 cubic feet).

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

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

The Tucson has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The HR-V 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 HR-V doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Tucson has a much higher standard payload capacity than the HR-V (1301 vs. 538 lbs.).

The Tucson has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the HR-V (1305 vs. 538 lbs.).

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 HR-V 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 HR-V doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the Tucson and the HR-V 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 HR-V prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Tucson’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The HR-V’s power window (except driver window) and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Tucson Limited’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The HR-V’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Tucson’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the HR-V’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

Both the Tucson and the HR-V 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 HR-V.

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 HR-V doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Tucson Limited’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The HR-V doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Tucson has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The HR-V doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the Tucson and the HR-V 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 HR-V doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Tucson Limited’s standard GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The HR-V’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

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 HR-V doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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 HR-V only retains 50.77% to 52.43%.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Tucson and the Honda HR-V, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Honda HR-V by 52% during 2022.