2022 Hyundai Tucson vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

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, the Tucson sported toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs, contributing to its standout design 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. Inside, the Tucson's cabin was well-appointed, offering stain- and odour-resistant cloth seats, with options for sport combination and leather-trimmed seats. The dashboard's horizontal lines and uncluttered aesthetic added to the sense of spaciousness.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, on the other hand, was crafted by removing the third row from the standard Atlas model, lowering the roofline by nearly 6 centimetres, and shortening the SUV's length by 13.2 cm. This resulted in a bold, sporty, and upscale appearance, particularly in the Execline trim with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The Atlas Cross Sport's interior was exceptionally roomy, accommodating five adults comfortably, with generous rear legroom. However, the interior's hard, glossy plastic detracted from the overall quality impression, and the numerous unlined storage areas could produce rattles and scraping noises. The Execline trim featured a Dark Burgundy over Titan Black interior, with other colour options available. Despite some interior shortcomings, the Atlas Cross Sport offered a stylish and spacious ride, with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) in Canada of $56,595, slightly less than the standard Atlas Execline.

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 litres per 100 kilometres 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 was also more fuel-efficient, with a combined rating of 6.4 L/100 km. Hyundai planned to introduce a plug-in hybrid version with an estimated 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, promising even greater power and efficiency.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an available 3.6-litre V6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offered a more satisfying driving experience and a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Atlas Cross Sport's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system was standard in Canada, providing various driving modes for different conditions. While the V6 engine felt more energetic in the two-row version, the drivetrain occasionally lacked refinement, and the ride quality could be harsh at lower speeds. However, the Atlas Cross Sport excelled on the highway, where the V6 engine was most efficient, despite some road noise intrusion.

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, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. Heated front seats were standard, with options for ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and memory settings for the driver's seat. The Tucson's new platform allowed for increased passenger and cargo space, with more rear legroom than the Toyota RAV4 and comparable headroom to other compact SUVs. The cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four, with a 1,095-litre cargo space and a 60-40 split-folding rear bench seat.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and interior dimensions with the larger seven-passenger model, offering exceptional roominess for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. A panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, while rear side-window sunshades provided comfort for passengers. The Atlas Cross Sport boasted ample storage space, though many areas lacked lining, leading to potential rattles. The cargo area offered plenty of load-floor space, with additional storage underneath, despite the reduced cargo capacity compared to the seven-passenger model.

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, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation, a fully digital instrument cluster, and additional USB outlets. The touchscreen interface, while responsive, required drivers to rely on steering wheel controls and voice commands due to the lack of physical buttons.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport's base Comfortline trim featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity-sensing display. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth pairing for two devices, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging. The Execline trim added a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system, which delivered impressive sound quality. However, the user experience with the infotainment system could be frustrating, making smartphone integration a more reliable option.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered a comprehensive suite of safety features through the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite. Standard features included forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, a driver attention monitor, and rear occupant alert. Additional safety options included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and remote parking assist. Hyundai backed the Tucson with a 5-year/100,000-kilometre limited warranty.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport provided a range of safety features across its trim levels. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system. Canadian models also received adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Travel Assist with Emergency Assist. The Execline trim added adaptive LED headlights, a semi-autonomous Park Assist system, and an Area View 360-degree camera system. While the Atlas Cross Sport received favourable crash-test ratings, some driver assistance technologies, like Lane Assist, could be overly sensitive.