2023 Jeep Wrangler 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 design language, featuring a parametric grille that cleverly concealed LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. When illuminated, these lights formed a distinctive shape reminiscent of the Aztec Spirit Bird's wings. The Tucson's side profile borrowed design cues from the Hyundai Elantra, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. At the rear, the Tucson sported LED-illuminated toothy taillights, adding a unique touch to its design. Depending on the trim level, the Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, with high-end models featuring premium fascias, skid plates, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, sport combination seats in the N-Line, and leather-trimmed seats available from the Preferred Trend trim upward. The dashboard's horizontal lines and uncluttered aesthetic contributed to a sense of spaciousness.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler, on the other hand, embraced a rugged, no-nonsense design with its fourth-generation JL model. It featured a boxy, take-no-prisoners aesthetic, with options for two-door or four-door configurations. The Wrangler's windshield could fold down, and various top options allowed for open-air exploration. Its design included wide fenders, Jeep's iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and old-school exterior hood latches. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted for easy cargo access. The Wrangler introduced new paint colours, including the limited-edition "Reign" purple and the "Earl" grey with aquamarine highlights. Inside, the Wrangler prioritized practicality with easy-to-clean floor mats and seats, a body-coloured dash, chunky HVAC controls, and a manual transfer case shifter. While it lacked some luxury features, it offered a straightforward and functional interior.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: 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, while the hybrid powertrain provided a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid was notably more powerful than competitors like the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The Tucson's AWD system performed admirably in off-road testing, and its fuel efficiency was commendable, with the hybrid achieving 6.3 L/100 km in the city and 6.4 combined. The upcoming plug-in hybrid version promised even more power, with an estimated 261 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of engine options to suit various off-road needs. The standard Pentastar V6 engine produced 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Torque enthusiasts could opt for the 3.0-litre Ecodiesel V6 with 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-litre V8 engine with 470 horsepower and torque, making it a powerhouse for off-road adventures. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid combined two electric motors with a 17.3-kWh battery pack, offering 35 kilometres of all-electric range. The Wrangler's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its solid axles, differential lockers, and various transfer case options. However, the 392 model had some on-road performance issues, particularly with its brakes and steering.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson impressed with its spacious and well-appointed interior. It offered a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. Heated front seats were standard, and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and memory settings for the driver's seat were available. The Tucson's new platform allowed for increased passenger and cargo space, with rear seats offering 90 millimetres more legroom than the RAV4. The cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four, and its 1,095-litre cargo space was competitive with other compact SUVs. The rear featured a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's interior focused on practicality, with comfortable front seats and optional heated seats in higher trims. The rear seat could fit three passengers in four-door models, but space was tight. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash and small glove box and centre console. The Wrangler's cargo space measured 2,050 litres with the rear seats folded, slightly less than the Bronco. The Wrangler offered various top options, including a removable hard top, a Sunrider option, and the Sky One-Touch power soft top. The Wrangler provided ample charging points, with USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson boasted a strong 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, satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The touchpoints on the centre console were responsive, but the lack of physical buttons made it challenging to operate while driving. The steering wheel controls were stylish but not as user-friendly as bulkier buttons.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler featured a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch touchscreen. The system appeared complex at first but was intuitive once drivers became familiar with it. Jeep's off-road pages provided valuable information for off-road enthusiasts. The Wrangler offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. While it lacked some advanced tech features, it included a forward-facing camera and auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories.

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

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's safety features were limited, with only a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control as standard. Blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard on higher trims or available as part of an option package. The Wrangler received mixed ratings from the IIHS, with some trims receiving Poor rankings for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Wrangler four out of five stars for frontal crash tests and three out of five for rollover ratings.