2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was built on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in North America with two rows of seating and expanded cargo space. Its front showcased Hyundai's new design language with a parametric grille that cleverly concealed LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. The side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design, featuring a silver D-pillar for a floating roof effect. The rear boasted distinctive LED taillights, and the Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, depending on the trim. High-end models included premium fascias, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof, while the interior offered a well-appointed cabin with stain-resistant cloth seats and upscale materials.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded luxury and elegance, with a design that referenced the larger Range Rover's profile in a sporty package. Its sleek form featured a sloping roof and wide shoulder crease, complemented by flush door handles. Special details included taillight lenses with depth illusions and air ducts reminiscent of NACA ducts. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was sophisticated, with high-quality materials and a polished black centre stack. The infotainment system featured three screens with sharp graphics, and upper trims offered additional luxury touches.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and electric motor, delivering 226 horsepower. The hybrid was more powerful and efficient, with AWD standard on hybrid models. The Tucson Hybrid achieved impressive fuel efficiency, using 6.4 L/100 km combined. A plug-in hybrid version was also planned, promising 261 horsepower and an estimated 40 km of electric range.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower centre of gravity and improved handling. The base engine was a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The optional 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid system provided up to 395 horsepower. The Velar's Terrain Response system offered six driving modes, but its off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson provided a spacious interior with a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and available upgrades like ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The cabin offered ample passenger volume and cargo space, with a 1,095-litre cargo area. The rear featured a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had a tighter interior, with limited headroom and visibility due to its design. Cargo space was 552 litres behind the rear seats and 1,358 litres with seats folded. The Velar's design choices, like the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were criticized for being impractical. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability with a cleaner interface.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a fully digital instrument cluster. The touchpoints were responsive, though the steering wheel controls were narrow.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro system was praised for its reliability and user-friendly layout. It featured voice activation, a PM2.5 air filter, and advanced navigation capabilities. The instrument panel offered customizable displays, and standard features included LED headlights and a 12-speaker Meridian sound system.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson featured the Hyundai SmartSense suite with forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and more. Additional safety features were available, such as blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control. Hyundai provided a 5-year/100,000-kilometre warranty.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in European NCAP tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, with optional 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control.