2022 Hyundai Tucson Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The 2022 Tucson is Hyundai's compact SUV with an exciting, futuristic design. In addition to the design, the Tucson also features some futuristic technology. This includes two different hybrid models. It's quite the capable little SUV too. It has good off-road capabilities and plenty of cargo space in the rear.

Compact SUVs and crossover vehicles have become the most popular vehicle classes in North America. The Tucson faces some stiff competition in a crowded field. We will take a look at how it compares to three of the top vehicles in its class. We will also cover some good reasons to purchase a Tucson along with some reasons why it may not be right for you.

What's New for 2022?

The Hyundai Tucson has received a complete overhaul for 2022. The exterior was completely redesigned with a bold, new look. This is the beginning of the fourth generation for this vehicle. Two available hybrid powertrains are new for this year. Every available powertrain has received a boost in horsepower for this year's models.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2022 Hyundai Tucson – The Pros

1. Plenty of Cargo Space

A good amount of cargo space is one of the best reasons to select any SUV. The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offers 38.7 cubic-feet of storage space behind the rear seats. The rear hatch is designed to make it easy to load and unload the Tucson. If you fold down the rear seats, then the cargo space can be greatly expanded. In all, you can get 80.3 cubic-feet of storage space inside of the Hyundai Tucson.

2. Room for Your Whole Crew

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson has plenty of room for the driver and four additional passengers. There's around 40 inches of headroom up front and 39.5 inches of headroom for the rear passengers. There's around 41.3 inches of legroom up front and in the rear. Being inside of the Tuscon gives you space to stretch out in, no matter which row you're sitting in.

3. An Exciting Exterior Design

The new exterior design of the Tucson must be seen to be fully appreciated. It's futuristic. Some might describe it as new space age. The lines and curves are reminiscent of those found on a modern fighter jet. It's both sporty and classy. LED headlights, LED taillights and a rear spoiler all add further to its exciting design.

4. Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid Models

Two of the most exciting new additions for the 2022 model year are the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models of the Tucson. These will be powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine along with electric batteries. Hyundai says this should get you around 227 horsepower for the hybrid and 261 horsepower for the plug-in model. If you want fuel efficiency, or are just concerned about going green, then these models are a great option.

5. The Well-Equipped Cabin

One of the best things about the 2022 Hyundai Tucson is how many standard features it offers. Even the base model comes fully loaded. There are 8-way power-adjustable seats up front. These can be stain-resistant cloth seats or leather-trimmed seats. You can have a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob too.

The steering wheel and front seats are heated. LED interior lighting adds a classy vibe to the interior design. Dual automatic temperature control should keep everyone warm or cool, depending on the weather. The Clean Air Ionizer will keep you breathing fresh air as the automatic defogger maintains your visibility through the windshield and other windows.

6. A Fine Infotainment System

The Hyundai Tucson has a fantastic infotainment system. Base models get an 8-inch color touchscreen. There's a standard AM/FM audio system, but you can also opt for a premium sound system by Bose. A 10.25-inch screen and navigation system are optional as well. The system has Bluetooth technology and a number of USB ports.

This infotainment system provides wireless charging. There is also wireless compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Some of the controls are mounted on the steering wheel for easy access. SiriusXM Satellite Radio is also available.

7. The Available All-Wheel Drive

Hyundai offers all-wheel drive for most models of the 2022 Tucson. This gives the Tucson some respectable, light off-road capabilities. It also enhances the handing of this vehicle. Steering and handling are truly highlights on the latest Tucson. Last of all, the all-wheel drive gives better traction for extreme-weather conditions such as rain and snow.

8. A Quiet and Refined Ride Quality

The ride quality of the Tucson sets it apart from the competition. The suspension system is fantastic here. You will always get a smooth and comfortable ride. Hyundai has also done a fine job of soundproofing the interior. You will never be trouble by wind, engine or road noise.

9. The Safety Features

Hyundai has taken no shortcuts to ensure that the 2022 Tucson is a safe vehicle. There are a number of active and passive safety features here. Hyundai has also equipped this SUV with plenty of driver-assist technology for both safety and convenience. Every model gets anti-lock brakes and an advanced airbag system.

All trims get Hyundai's Electronic Stability Control and Vehicle Stability Systems. There is also a Tire-Pressure Monitor, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist.

10. Good Fuel Economy

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offers excellent fuel efficiency. Models with the traditional gasoline engine have a combined fuel-economy rating of 29 miles-per-gallon. You can expect to get as much as 33 miles-per-gallon on the highway. The hybrid models could see as much as 38 miles-per-gallon.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2022 Hyundai Tucson – The Cons

1. The Odd Touch Controls

This is one area in which the technology is more detrimental than helpful. The push-button shifter is strange and takes some getting used to. There is also a touch-sensitive control panel that controls a number of features, such as the climate-control system. There's no tactile or haptic feedback, and it may force one to take their eyes off the road to use these controls.

2. The Base Engine Lacks Power

The base engine can be a bit lethargic. This engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces around 187 horsepower. It's not terrible, but it's noticeably slower than many of the Tucson's competitors. It can take nearly 9 seconds to reach highway speeds of 60 miles-per-hour. This won't bother some, but for those who value performance, it could be a deal breaker.

3. The Hybrid Models Could Be Improved

Outside of the previously mentioned issues, there's really not much to complain about with the 2022 Hyundai Tucson. It's truly one of the best vehicles in its class. The hybrid models, however, aren't quite as efficient as some of the competing models in this class. If you're looking for the ultimate in fuel efficiency, there are better plug-ins and hybrids on the market among the many compact SUVs.

 

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Hyundai Tucson vs 2022 Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is one of the leaders in this class of vehicles. It may be the Hyundai Tucson's stiffest competition. Both vehicles have a similar starting price, with the CR-V being slightly more expensive. The sizes of these two vehicles are almost identical. The passenger volume and cargo-space numbers are too similar to make a difference here.

The Hyundai offers 38.7 cubic-feet of storage space while the Honda offers 39.2 cubic-feet of space. Things are just that close. The base engines are very comparable too. Where the Hyundai outshines the Honda is in its sheer volume of standard features. This, along with the lower base price, makes it the better deal here.

2022 Hyundai Tucson vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4, like the Honda before it, is very similar to the Hyundai Tucson in terms of size and price. The Hyundai is a little cheaper, but still has comparable quality to the Toyota. In fact, the Tucson interior is slightly more upscale. The Hyundai also offers a quieter and more refined ride.

The RAV4 does better when it comes to off-road capabilities, but both SUVs offer all-wheel drive. The RAV4 has more horsepower at the base-engine level with 203 compared to the Tucson's 187 horses. The Tucson has slightly more cargo space. Once again, the Tucson wins based on its lower cost and plethora of standard features.

2022 Hyundai Tucson vs 2022 Ford Escape

Again, the Hyundai Tucson comes in at a lower base price than its competitor. The gap is minor, though, at less than a $1000 difference. The Tucson cabin is a huge step up from what the Ford Escape has to offer. The design, build quality and materials are all superior inside of the Hyundai. The ride quality is better in the Hyundai too.

Ford's Escape offers slightly less horsepower and a little less room for cargo. The Ford infotainment system is somewhat nicer and easier to use. The Hyundai Tucson is better in almost every category when compared to the Ford, though it's close. The Tucson again offers more standard features. This, and the lower costs, makes it easy to recommend the Tucson over the Ford Escape.

Conclusion

This new version of the Hyundai Tucson is better than ever. It is now poised to better compete with Honda, Toyota and Ford for this segment of the market. The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is a remarkable improvement over the 2021 models of this compact SUV. There's more power, a bold new exterior and more standard features than before. The all-new hybrid models open up the Tucson to a whole new demographic of buyers too.