2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was built on a new platform, offering North American buyers a long-wheelbase model with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front showcased Hyundai's new vehicle face, with a parametric grille that cleverly concealed LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. When lit, these lights formed a distinctive shape reminiscent of the Aztec Spirit Bird's wings. The Tucson's side profile borrowed design elements from the Hyundai Elantra, featuring a silver D-pillar that created a floating roof effect. At the rear, toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs added a unique touch, helping the Tucson stand out among compact SUVs. Depending on the trim level, the Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, with high-end models boasting premium fascias, skid plates, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats as standard, and leather-trimmed seats available on higher trims. The dashboard's horizontal lines and uncluttered design contributed to a sense of spaciousness.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid drew styling cues from Toyota's Tacoma pickup truck, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that lent it a rugged appearance. However, the side design introduced a swooping character line that added unnecessary visual weight, making the Highlander appear somewhat bloated. The rear echoed the trapezoidal grille design, resulting in a body that felt disjointed compared to more cohesive designs from competitors like the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander's asymmetrical dash featured a metallic styling element that spanned the passenger side, creating a helpful storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted high on the dash, reducing driver distraction. The Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition introduced 18-inch bronze alloy wheels and unique interior fabric, though the light grey upholstery was prone to dirt and stains. While the Softex synthetic leather substitute was less convincing than alternatives, the Highlander's interior offered ample space and comfort, particularly in the second row. However, the third row was less accommodating, with limited headroom and legroom.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain variants: a 2.5-litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While not particularly inspiring, it was competent and efficient, with a targeted fuel consumption of 8.2 L/100 km combined for FWD models. The hybrid powertrain, however, was the standout, offering 226 combined horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, making it more powerful than competitors like the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The Tucson Hybrid's AWD system performed admirably in off-road testing, and its fuel efficiency was impressive, with a combined rating of 6.4 L/100 km. The upcoming Tucson PHEV promised even more power, with an estimated 261 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque, though range specifications were not yet available.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard AWD, with an electric motor powering the rear axle when needed. The Highlander Hybrid could reach 100 km/h in just over eight seconds, comparable to gasoline-only SUVs in its class. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as needed. While the engine hum was subtle under light acceleration, it became a drone under heavier loads, particularly when climbing hills. The Highlander Hybrid's braking system was smooth, with regenerative braking seamlessly transitioning to physical brakes. The ride quality was soft, with the suspension effectively smoothing out road imperfections. While not sporty, the Highlander Hybrid offered adequate handling for a family vehicle, with a quiet cabin on the highway.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was a budget-friendly compact SUV with a well-appointed interior that rivalled its competitors. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available. The Tucson's new platform allowed for increased passenger and cargo space, with more rear legroom than the Toyota RAV4. The cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four, with a 1,095-litre cargo space comparable to the Subaru Forester, RAV4, and Honda CR-V. The rear featured a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. The interior provided plenty of storage options, including a deep tray under the infotainment screen and a large centre armrest bin. The second-row seats were spacious, with captain's chairs that slid and reclined for added comfort. A second-row bench was available, increasing passenger capacity to eight. The third row, however, was less accommodating, with limited headroom and legroom, making it suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space behind the third row was 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seats folded, and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with a robust set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and two USB ports. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation and a fully digital instrument cluster. The touchscreen was embedded within a larger head unit, with touchpoints for climate control and media functions. While responsive, the lack of physical buttons made it challenging to operate while driving, requiring reliance on steering wheel controls and voice commands.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on top trims. The infotainment system was quick to respond, with logically organized menus and physical shortcut buttons for common features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging available on higher trims. Limited and Platinum trims included navigation and an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. It featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. Additional safety features were available, such as blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai offered a 5-year/100,000-kilometre limited warranty.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a blind-spot monitor. A surround-view camera system and head-up display were available on the top Platinum trim. While the safety systems generally performed well, some features, like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, required fine-tuning.