2022 Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4

While you browse around for a new small SUV to replace your old ride, you might be quite surprised to find out just how saturated the market is with these vehicles at the moment. This is certainly a highly competitive segment, and all of these small SUVs strive to supersede one another in terms of power, fuel economy, and included technological features. Two such rivals that will probably end up on your to-best-test-driven list are the 2022 Hyundai Tucson vs 2022 Toyota RAV4, and they sure do compete with one another.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was just redesigned for the model year and offers a new line-up of engines that includes hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. There are also plenty of new standard technological features and advanced driver aids equipped. The ride quality remains nice and smooth, and the front seats are perfectly sculpted for optimal comfort. And you get some seriously generous warranty coverage from Hyundai to give you peace of mind.

On the downside, though, you will have to put up with the 2.5-L engine's sluggish acceleration and a hybrid engine that does not match up to the standards set by its competitors. Add to that a set of touch-style center stack controls that can be distracting to try to use while you are driving.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offers a lot of off-roading capabilities, especially on the TRD Off-Road trim level. The controls are all easy to use, and you get an abundance of space in the cargo area as well as inside of the cabin. Speaking of the cabin, this interior is superbly quiet, and the ride quality only serves to enhance that sense of comfort.

But the RAV4 has a few drawbacks too. The steering system feels way too vague for the liking. Also, the engine offers some disappointing acceleration, which makes it a lot like the Tucson in that regard.

Which one of these two small SUVs is going to get it done for you and your family? Does one offer a lot more value than the other? Which price tag best slides into your budget? Let's compare these two vehicles to find out, then you can make an informed decision.

The Powertrain

A strong powertrain can make owning a small SUV a great experience. You won't need to spend a lot of time planning how you're going to merge onto or pass another vehicle on the highway. However, an under-powered powertrain can leave you feeling as though you're being left in the dust by every other vehicle sharing the road with you.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is powered by a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder that delivers 187 horsepower. You can also opt for a hbrid with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (that makes227 total hp) or a plug-in hybrid with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (that is good for 261 total hp). The standard gas-powered engine can come with either front- or all-wheel drive and is matched up to an eight-speed automatic while the hybrids come with all-wheel drive (AWD) and a six-speed automatic transmission as standard.

The Tucson's gas engine struggles to get the SUV up and moving with any sense of speediness. While cruising around town or out on the highway, it feels fine to drive. However, whenever you are in a rush, this engine's slow acceleration is painfully obvious. The Tucson can get from 0 to 60 mph in 10.2 seconds, which makes it one of the slowest crossovers to hit the market in quite some time.

As for the rest of the Tucson's driving experience, there is nothing that seriously stands out. The steering does feel concise and direct, and the Tucson remains composed as you wind around corners. Upshifts from the transmission feel nice and smooth, but the downshifts tend to feel harsh and sudden when you press down on the accelerator.

When equipped with AWD, the Tucson gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined. A real-world ride behind the wheel should return similar numbers which shows that the estimates hold up pretty well. However, that number falls short of what major competitors like the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue achieve without being equipped with AWD.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 is powered by a standard four-cylinder engine that serves up 203 horsepower. This is the only engine that you can get on the RAV4. An eight-speed automatic transmission is matched up to it. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on most of the RAV4's trim levels while AWD is offered as an option on all save for the Adventure and the TRD Off-Road. On these two trim levels, AWD comes standard as an upgraded system that improves the vehicle's traction on slick and loose road surfaces.

The RAV4's engine is sufficient while going town, and even passing or merging on the highway are easy enough. Just don't be in a hurry, as you will feel the RAV4's meek power. This SUV needs 9.1 seconds to go from 0-60 mph, which is slower than most of its competitors but still about a full second faster than the Tucson. Also, the steering feels vague and lacks bulk. You might misjudge your inputs. At least the optional upgraded AWD gives you rear-axle torque vectoring and advanced traction control that includes hill descent control and selectable terrain settings. Coupled with its ground clearance, the RAV4 Adventure offers better-than-average off-roading for a small SUV.

The RAV4 gets an EPA estimated 28-30 mpg in combined driving, and real world tests place the AWD model at about 28.6 mpg. This shows that the estimates are accurate. There is a hybrid available if you want to go that route.

Drivability

Drivability is an umbrella term that we use to describe how well-rounded a vehicle is as a daily driver. How comfortable is a vehicle to ride around in? Is the ride quality comfortable and smooth enough without coming off as too drifty? Are the interior materials of a high enough quality? Are the cabin's controls logically laid out? Are the tech features user-friendly How much cargo space is available, and how easy is it to use? These are some of the major factors we talk about when discussing a vehicle's drivability status.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson nears luxury-level status where comfort is involved. The suspension feels well-tuned and delivers a smooth ride, with bumps and ruts in the road being absorbed with ease. All in all, it makes for one of the coziest rides in its class. The front seats are sculpted for comfort with their supportive cushions being upholstered in chic material. These seats will deliver plenty of lateral support and come with helpful power lumbar adjustments. The cabin is exceedingly quiet and thoroughly insulated from noise while the Tucson is speeding along on the highway. Most rivals in this segment are not this tranquil, and you cannot even hear strong wind gusts inside of the cabin.

The Tucson's superb ergonomics and plethora of cabin space makes it feel like a truly delightful space to be in, whether you are up front or in one of the back seats. The front seats give you an abundance of space, but the rear seats are no slouch - its passengers will be able to enjoy stretching out their legs and even being able to recline back in their seats. Drivers will have an easy time finding a comfy driving position with a commanding outward view. The massive front windshield and slender roof pillars lend to that extensive outward visibility. What isn't so great about the cabin is its controls setup. The touchscreen controls many features, and what it doesn't, the flat buttons next to it do, and they offer no real grip. A dial or controller added in would dramatically improve things. The screen also gets quite a few noticeable smudges.

The Tucson's tech gadgetry feels contemporary for this price-point. Smartphone app connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard and can be viewed from an available 10.25-inch touchscreen. Hyundai's navigation system gives you concise directions and a crisp visual map. Also, voice controls recognize commands with ease, and there are no specific prompts that you have to fully follow.

Cargo space is abundant on the Tucson. Its 38.7 cubic feet behind the backseats is some of the best you'll find in this class. When you fold the rear seats down, you get 74.8 cubic feet to work with. The load floor is flat and lift-over height is low, so they add to the overall utility of this vehicle.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4's suspension provides a good balance between being plush and controlled. Bumps of all sizes get smoothed out. The front seats are sculpted and padded well enough, but the seat bottoms might seem flat after a while of sitting. The passenger side lacks adjustment, which makes it hard to find a comfy position. The RAV4 quiet on the highway save for when you hit the gas for a quick burst, as the engine starts to sound rough. The climate system has decent air flow, and the forward vents can be fully closed off.

Most aspects of the RAV4's interior are solid, but the front passenger seat is set high and cannot be adjusted on any but the Limited. There is a nice range of adjustment on the driver's seat, but taller drivers might want more. The controls are laid out intuitively with massive labeling assigned. The climate control system and sound system are self-contained. Everything else is where you'd expect, and the climate control knobs are easy to use. The touchscreen is set a stretch away from the driver, and the tuning knob requires a real reach.

Tech is generally user-oriented here. Despite being fairly new, the touchscreen has some outdated-looking graphics. There's nothing stand-out about the sound system either. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and you will rely on them versus the native Entune system.

The RAV4 has 37.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 69.8 cubes when folded. The low cargo floor makes it easy to load up. Up front, the cabin has numerous shelves and bins to handle assorted road-trip paraphernalia. You can tow up to 3,500 pounds, which is great for this class.

Safety

Safety is a major concern for almost every driver on the road. Auto makers are certainly aware of the demand for advanced safety features and designs. Both Subaru and Honda are well versed in how to create functional driver aids and include quite a few of them on their SUVs.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is equipped with quite a slew of standard driver aids - now so more than ever before. You get a standard rear seat reminder, lane keep assist, forward collision mitigation, and a driver attention warning. Upgrading one trim level to the SEL gets you a blind spot monitor with an included rear cross-traffic alert, a blind spot intervention function, and adaptive cruise control. The line-topping Limited trim level gets you a blind-spot camera, a surround-view camera system, and the full lane keeping system.

Similarly, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 has its own bundle of advanced driver aids. You get a traffic sign reader, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, a lane keeping system, and automatic high beams. The XLE has a blind spot monitor, and a surround-view camera system remains optional.

Which Has the Best Value?

As you go about making your final decision on which vehicle to purchase, consider what brings the most value to a vehicle for you. Which vehicle has the most overall value? Buyers need to do their research and hear about owners' experiences since taking a vehicle for a test-drive can only tell you so much.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson packs in as much value as it possibly can. Its warranty coverage is the best you will find (aside from that what Hyundai's corporate sibling, Kia, offers). And, for the price, it really delivers on included features which, for the most part, work really well. With how high the build quality is, you cannot ask for too much more than that. The only thing that takes the Tucson's value down a peg is that underpowered gas engine, but we suspect the hybrids are a touch more likable. They just don't deliver on fuel economy like some of their competitors.

2022 Toyota RAV4 owners get a lot of nice, stylized interior materials with plenty of tactile design elements. The available simulated leather upholstery is durable and soft, featuring some nice stitching. Toyota has industry-average warranty coverage, but the two years/25,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance adds some value.

Which is Better?

Both the 2022 Hyundai Tucson and 2022 Toyota RAV4 have a lot to offer. In terms of value, Hyundai edges out the competition with their generous warranty coverage. The Tucson also has seats that achieve a touch more comfort than the RAV4. The RAV4 has better capacity as an off-roader, but the Tucson feels more well-rounded overall.