2022 Hyundai Tucson vs Ford Escape

Compact crossover SUVs have become increasingly popular over the last several years. They offer a lot of the same perks as a truck or large SUV, but in a smaller package. There's plenty of room for passengers and cargo, but with driving dynamics that are more akin to a sedan than a large SUV. They're more maneuverable, easier to park and usually more fuel efficient too. Being a popular vehicle class, there's no shortage of compact crossover SUVs to choose from on the market.

Two of the finest examples of a vehicle in this class are the 2022 Hyundai Tucson and the 2022 Ford Escape. Both come in a similar 5-door body style. Both have a similar size as well. The Tucson measures in at 182-inches long, 73-inches wide and 66-inches high. The Escape is 181-inches long, 74-inches wide and 66-inches high.

The Tucson and Escape have room for up to five people. The Tucson has 38.7 cubic-feet of storage space behind the rear seats. This can be expanded up to 80.3 cubic-feet by folding those seats down flat. The Escape has a maximum cargo volume of 37.5 cubic-feet with the backseats up and 65.4 cubic-feet when they're folded down. The Tucson has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, while the Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Hyundai's Tucson and Ford's Escape are similar in a lot of ways. There are also a few differences that make them unique. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Here's a look at how they compare head-to-head when it comes to performance, handling, ride quality and safety. We will also look at the overall value of each vehicle and try to decide which is better.

The Powertrain

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson has two powertrain options, including a hybrid option. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter I-4 that makes 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The engine has dual overhead cams and 16 valves. It gets paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® technology. This technology allows the driver to override the automatic transmission and take direct control of the shifting.

Every trim level of the Tucson comes stock with Front-Wheel Drive, though All-Wheel Drive is also available for each model. Models with the I-4 engine and Front-Wheel Drive should get around 26 miles-per-gallon in the city and 33 miles-per-gallon on the highway. These numbers will go up slightly in models with All-Wheel Drive. A set of 4-wheel disc, anti-locking brakes is standard for every Tucson.

Every Tucson has selectable driving modes for different driving scenarios. There's an independent front suspension with MacPherson struts and coil springs. The rear suspension features an independent, multi-link design. There are gas-pressurized shock absorbers up front and in back. All models of the Tucson get Motor-Driven Power Steering with a column-mounted, rack-and-pinion configuration.

The Tucson's hybrid powertrain uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine and an electric motor. The standard hybrid produces 227 horsepower. There's also a plug-in version that makes 261 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid comes stock with All-Wheel Drive. Both hybrid models offer a 6-speed automatic transmission and have a range of 33 miles on electric-only power.

The Ford Escape gives buyers three powertrains to choose from. Like the Hyundai Tucson, the Escape offers a hybrid powertrain that comes in both standard and plug-in variations. The standard engine is a 1.5-liter EcoBoost with only three cylinders. This engine produces 181 horsepower. While it can be somewhat loud, this little power-plant can get the vehicle up to 60 miles-per-hour in just 7.7 seconds.

For more power, Ford also offers a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, EcoBoost 4-cylinder that cranks out 250 horsepower. This shaves off two seconds from the vehicle's 0-to-60 time, getting it up to speed in just 5.7 seconds. Models with either of the gasoline engines will be equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The hybrid and plug-in models join a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine with a pair of electric motors to produce 221 horsepower. The EPA has estimated that both hybrid versions can drive up to 33 miles on electric-only power. Models equipped with the standard 1.5-liter engine and Front-Wheel Drive get a combined fuel-economy rating of 28 miles-per-gallon. Those equipped with the 2.0-liter engine have a combined fuel-economy rating of 26 miles-per-gallon.

Every Ford Escape has Electric Power-Assisted Steering and 4-wheel disc brakes with an anti-locking brake system. The Escape comes in both Front-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive variations. Models with the 2.0-liter engine get All-Wheel Drive with a disconnect feature by default. All models of the Escape get Electronic Traction Control.

Drivability

Drivability covers how well a vehicle drives and handles, as well as how comfortable it is to ride in. The Hyundai Tuscon has good acceleration, especially from the hybrid powertrain options. Steering is accurate, and brake power is strong yet smooth. The vehicle has great traction and handles well in all weather conditions when equipped with All-Wheel Drive. What makes the Tuscon really stand out in its class, however, is the exceptional ride quality that it provides.

The Tuscon suspension system, frame design and sound proofing all work together to provide a comfortable ride. It's almost luxurious, as the suspension system soaks up pretty much whatever the road can throw at it. It's nice and quiet inside of the Tucson too. The interior features an attractive, ergonomic design where everything is easy to reach and comfortable to use.

Hyundai's Tucson has a standard 8-way power driver's seat with heating. Ventilation is also available as an option or as a standard feature for the Limited trim level. Every model also gets Dual Automatic Temperature Control with a Multi-Air Mode and an Automatic Defogger.

The Ford Escape does equally well when it comes to steering and handling, when compared to the Hyundai Tucson. It also offers great traction and may even be slightly better when it comes to driving in inclement weather or tackling light off-road duties. It's not quite as good when it comes to the ride quality, though also not too far behind in this category. It provides a smooth and quiet ride on paved surfaces, but the Hyundai simply does it better.

When it comes to interior comfort, the Hyundai wins when comparing the base trim levels, but the Ford wins overall. The Ford Escape offers a 10-way power driver's seat with lumbar support and a heating feature. Ventilation is available for some trims or as an option. The high-trim seats are more comfortable here, but you will end up paying more for this benefit.

The Ford Escape has an available Dual-Zone, Electronic, Automatic Temperature-Control System, though it's only standard on higher trim levels. Many trim levels come with a simple, single-zone manual system. The interior layout is just as ergonomic and well-designed as the Hyundai Tucson, and is a bit more upscale when it comes to the materials and the fit and finish. The Escape's acceleration and braking are solid, if unremarkable.

Safety

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson comes with plenty of standard safety features to keep the driver and passengers all safe. There are also a few features that only become available on the higher trim levels. Every Tucson gets a basic airbag system that provides protection for passengers in both rows. The seat belts feature load limiters and pretensioners. There are child safety locks and windows in the rear, as well as the LATCH system for securing child safety seats.

All models of the Tucson get the aforementioned ABS brakes, Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control. There's also a Brake-Assist feature for when some emergency stopping power is needed. There's a Tire-Pressure Monitor that gives feedback on each individual wheel. There's also a Rear Camera or Surround-View Monitor, depending on the trim level.

Hyundai offers Smart Cruise Control which works in tandem with the integrated navigation system. This feature comes stock on the Limited trim. This trim level also offers Remote Smart Park Assist, Highway-Driving Assist and a Blind-Spot-View Monitor. The Limited has a wealth of extra parking-assist features such as a Parking-Distance Indicator and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist.

Some of the standard driver-assist tech includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Assist. There's even an advanced Lane-Keeping Assist system with Lane-Following Assist. Safe-Exit Warning uses advanced sensors and radar to prevent passengers from accidentally stepping out of the vehicle and into oncoming traffic.

The 2022 Ford Escape has an advanced airbag system that's part of Ford's Personal Safety System™. This includes dual-stage front airbags and side-impact bags for the driver and front passenger. There's also a driver's knee airbag and Ford's Safety Canopy® system. The Safety Canopy adds protection for everyone in the event of a side crash or rollover.

Like the Tucson, the Escape has child locks, child windows and the LATCH system. There 3-point seat belts for all five seat positions. The Escape also has a rear camera, a Tire-Pressure Monitor and Ford's SOS Post-Crash Alert System™. This system draws attention to the vehicle after an accident by engaging the exterior lights and the horn.

The Ford Escape has a lot of high-tech driver-assist aids as part of the automaker's Co-Pilot360™ Technology. This includes Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking. There's also a Forward-Collision Warning, Pedestrian Detection and Dynamic Brake Support. The Escape has a Lane-Keeping System with features like Lane-Keeping Assist, Lane-Keeping Alert and Driver Alert.

Ford's standard BLIS® system monitors potential blind-spots and provides appropriate feedback to the driver. It can even monitor rear cross-traffic. Daytime-Running Lamps make the Escape more visible to other drivers while the automatic high beams make sure there's always enough light for the driver to see clearly. Active Park Assist 2.0 helps make parking a lot safer.

Which Has the Best Value?

The base trim level for the 2022 Hyundai Tucson is called the SE. It starts out at just $25,800. The top trim is called the Limited and it has a starting price of $35,300. One can purchase a hybrid model for as low as $29,750 and a plug-in for $35,400. A plug-in hybrid version of the Limited trim starts at $43,200.

The base model for Ford's 2022 Escape is called the S model, and it starts out at $27,025. The highest trim level is called the Titanium, and it has an MSRP of $37,1451. The cheapest hybrid starts at $30,185. The most expensive model of the Escape is the plug-in version of the Titanium. It begins at $40,700.

These quoted prices can of course go up significantly once options and packages are added on. The base model of the Tucson is extremely affordable, but the SEL model offers the best balance between price and features. For the Ford Escape, the best value is a trim level that's also called the SEL model. It costs significantly more than the Hyundai Tuscon SEL.

The Tucson offers more cargo space. Both have comparable audio systems and infotainment features at each comparable trim level. Getting to the best options will cost more in the Ford, however. The Tucson offers more horsepower for your money. The Ford has nicer features and a better interior at the highest trim levels, but it will cost you. The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offers the most value here.

Which Is Better?

Deciding which vehicle is better overall is a hard call when comparing Hyundai's Tucson and Ford's Escape. In many ways, the Ford Escape is the better vehicle when comparing the top trim levels of these two crossover SUVs. The Tucson, however, still beats it when it comes to storage space and practicality. At the end of the day, Hyundai's prices for the Tucson just can't be beat, even for a fully-loaded plug-in hybrid. The Tucson is the winner here and will be the better choice for most consumers.