2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 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 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. The side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design, featuring a silver D-pillar that created a floating roof effect. At the rear, the Tucson sported distinctive LED-illuminated taillights, setting it apart from other compact SUVs. Depending on the trim, the Tucson rode on 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, sport combination seats in the N-Line, and leather-trimmed seats in higher trims. The dashboard's horizontal lines and uncluttered design contributed to a spacious feel.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a "modernist" and "reductive" design, emphasizing clean and simple aesthetics. While it offered limited flashy options, such as Firenze Red paint and 23-inch wheels, the test vehicle arrived in Eiger Grey with silver wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuding understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, combined with aluminum and shiny black trim, created a luxurious ambiance. The Range Rover Sport was available in Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One specifications. The design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology in the taillights. The SUV boasted excellent aerodynamics and a luxurious, high-tech interior with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery.

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 produced 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid delivered 226 combined horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain was more powerful and efficient, with a fuel consumption rating of 6.4 L/100 km combined. The Tucson also had an upcoming plug-in hybrid version with an estimated 261 horsepower. The Tucson's AWD system performed well in off-road testing, and the hybrid drivetrain was notably more fuel-efficient than the ICE models.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography trim, offering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The sold-out SV Edition One had a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine. The Range Rover Sport's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 5.7 seconds. It had an eight-speed automatic transmission and an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, with a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. The SUV's fuel economy averaged 10.5 L/100 km, with a suburban highway drive returning 9.4 L/100 km. The Range Rover Sport featured a new vehicle architecture, adaptive damping air suspension, and various driving modes for improved dynamics and off-road capability.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was a budget-friendly compact SUV with a well-appointed interior. It offered a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and memory settings available. The Tucson's new platform provided more space for passengers and cargo, with a 1,095-litre cargo area. The rear seats offered ample legroom, and the cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four. The rear featured a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall, airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with hard front seatback panels and narrow door openings. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. The SUV featured a power liftgate, air suspension controls, and a full-size spare tire under the cargo floor.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The touchpoints on the centre console were responsive, but the lack of physical buttons made it challenging to use while driving. Steering wheel controls and voice commands were essential for ease of use.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and an Online Pack. While the screens were generally intuitive, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating. The SUV's digital assistant struggled with voice commands, and the system's functionality was inconsistent. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems, Active Noise Cancellation, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.

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 included 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.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less responsive than expected, and the steering assist struggled with highway curves and bends.