2021 Toyota Highlander vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was a standout in the midsize SUV category, with a design that was anything but mundane. Its bold styling featured wide headlights, a long hood, and a distinctive trapezoidal grille, making it easily recognizable among its peers. The side profile, with a character line reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and taillights inspired by Lexus, added to its unique appeal. The Highlander XSE trim introduced a sportier look with aggressive front-end styling and 20-inch alloy wheels, although it was more about appearance than performance. Inside, the Limited trim offered a luxurious experience with high-quality materials, including tan leather seats and wood accents, emphasizing comfort and convenience over sportiness.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson presented a fresh design on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in North America. Its front end showcased Hyundai's new design language with a parametric grille and LED lighting that formed a distinctive shape. The side profile borrowed styling cues from the Elantra, featuring a floating roof design, while the rear boasted LED taillights that set it apart from other compact SUVs. The Tucson's interior was well-appointed, with stain-resistant cloth seats and available leather-trimmed options. The spacious cabin provided ample room for passengers and cargo, making it a strong contender in the compact SUV segment.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. While not a performance powerhouse, the Highlander provided smooth and reliable operation, making it a solid choice for families. Its powertrain was competitive with other midsize SUVs, offering similar horsepower and torque figures. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, but the Highlander remained focused on comfort and practicality.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and electric motor, producing 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid variant provided a more engaging driving experience, especially in challenging conditions. The Tucson's hybrid powertrain was more powerful than competitors like the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. With available all-wheel drive and impressive fuel efficiency, the Tucson catered to a wide range of driving preferences.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and versatility. It featured a set of shelves ahead of the front seats for convenient storage, along with a wireless charging pad in higher trims. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom with available captain's chairs, while the third row offered limited space for adults. Cargo capacity was competitive, with 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,150 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,245 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, built on a new platform, offered increased interior space, making it more accommodating for passengers and cargo. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with higher trims offering additional adjustments and heated seating options. The rear seats provided generous legroom, surpassing competitors like the RAV4. The Tucson's cargo space was impressive, with 1,095 litres available, making it suitable for family trips. The dual-level cargo floor added versatility to its storage capabilities.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option available on the Platinum trim. Both systems supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. The larger screen offered a crisp display, but its functionality was somewhat limited. A JBL audio system was available from the Limited grade, providing decent sound quality.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson boasted a strong set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a fully digital instrument cluster. The Tucson's tech interface was user-friendly, although the lack of physical buttons required reliance on steering wheel controls and voice commands.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. It received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, with standard features like forward collision-avoidance assist and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety options included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai provided a comprehensive safety package, comparable to luxury SUVs in its class.