2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often noted for its conventional appearance, blending seamlessly with the myriad of compact crossovers on the market. Its design was characterized by a few distinguishing features, such as the grille opening and some chromed plastic accents, but overall, it did not stand out in terms of exterior styling. The CR-V was available in seven colours, though many were variations of grey, black, and white, with only a few more vibrant options like blue and red. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and upscale touches like wood panels and chrome, depending on the trim level. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson were often seen as having more distinctive styling, particularly in mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson presented a bold new design, riding on a new platform and featuring a long-wheelbase model in North America. Its exterior was marked by a parametric grille that cleverly integrated LED lighting, creating a unique visual signature. The Tucson's side profile borrowed design cues from the Hyundai Elantra, with a floating roof effect achieved by a silver D-pillar. At the rear, the Tucson sported distinctive LED taillights. The vehicle rode on 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, depending on the trim, with high-end models featuring premium fascias and a panoramic sunroof. The Tucson's interior was well-appointed, with stain-resistant cloth seats as standard and leather options available on higher trims. Its dashboard design emphasized horizontal lines and an uncluttered aesthetic, contributing to a sense of spaciousness.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower. This powertrain was consistent across all trims and paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which provided smooth acceleration but lacked the engagement of a traditional automatic transmission. The CR-V's acceleration was modest, reaching 100 km/h in about 8 seconds. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option on the LX trim and standard on others. The CR-V's suspension setup included a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, offering decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and a hybrid powertrain combining a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with an electric motor, producing 226 horsepower. The ICE engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid used a six-speed. The hybrid powertrain was particularly noteworthy for its power and efficiency, outperforming competitors like the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The Tucson's AWD system was praised for its performance in off-road conditions, and the hybrid model boasted impressive fuel efficiency, with a combined rating of 6.4 L/100 km.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed with practicality in mind, offering ample space for five passengers and their gear. It provided over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4 and had a slightly larger cargo area behind the second row. With the rear seats folded, the CR-V offered 1,065 litres of cargo space. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured a manual, power, or hands-free power tailgate. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing its utility.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, built on a new platform, offered increased interior space, making it competitive with other compact SUVs. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. The Tucson's rear seats provided more legroom than the RAV4, and its overall passenger volume exceeded that of the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape. The cargo area offered 1,095 litres of space, with a dual-level cargo floor and a 60-40 split-folding rear bench seat.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came standard with a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Lower trims had varying speaker setups, while the Touring trim featured a 300-watt audio system with a subwoofer. The CR-V EX-L and higher trims included Sirius XM and HD radio, with navigation available on the Touring and Black Edition trims. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB and 12-volt outlets throughout the cabin.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson boasted an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, and connectivity features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a fully digital instrument cluster. The Tucson's tech interface was integrated into a sleek black plastic head unit, though some users found the touchpoints challenging to navigate without physical buttons. The vehicle also included dual-zone automatic climate control and additional USB outlets on higher trims.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing suite of safety technologies as standard across all trims, including forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it offered an extensive suite of safety features through Hyundai SmartSense, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. Additional features like blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system were available on higher trims. Hyundai provided a 5-year/100,000-kilometre limited warranty for the Tucson.