Hyundai Tucson VS Honda HR-V
Hyundai Tucson
Likes
- Lots of drivetrain options, no matter grade level
- Well-specified for grade
- Hybrid powertrain proves frugal
Dislikes
- Drive experience is mixed
- Higher price point than before
- Safety tech improved but still intrusive
Honda HR-V
Likes
- Seriously good-looking inside and out
- Affordable price tag for grade level
- Easy to drive in the city
Dislikes
- Missing features you'd expect for top model
- Safety could and should be better
- Engine gets whiny on open roads
Summary
Hyundai Tucson
For the first time in Australia, the mid-sized Hyundai Tucson is being offered with a hybrid powertrain – which combines its spritely turbo-powered engine with a fuel efficiency-improving electric motor. And it might be enough to swing you to becoming a hybrid fan.
The new powertrain makes the Tucson a proper competitor against Australia’s darling, the Toyota RAV4 but the Nissan X-Trail e-Power and Kia Sportage remain strong rivals.
This week I’m family-testing the mid-spec Elite Hybrid with the N Line option pack to see how the newly updated Tucson handles family life.
Read more about
- Hyundai stalking Toyota RAV4 with new Tucson Hybrid: "We're really bullish on the hybrid specification and bullish in terms of where Hyundai's heading in its hybrid roll-out"
- "We're running our own race": Hyundai Australia confident in product and strategy path in the face of increasing competition from Chinese newcomers like Geely, Smart, Skywell, Xpeng and Zeekr
- 'The industry's all about hybrid': Hyundai Australia boss confirms importance of new Tucson Hybrid in taking the fight to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, joining Kona, Santa Fe and i30 sedan hybrid models to challenge market leaders
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1.6L turbo |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 5.3L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Honda HR-V
Like many car brands, Honda is storming the hybrid field. The new HR-V brings with it a hybrid powertrain and external facelift but is it enough to keep it competitive in the small SUV segment?
As with any cosmetic surgery you may wonder whether the facelift has been successful.
No tricks – I’ll tell you straight up the new external design might be what you’re looking for if you’re on the hunt for a small SUV that doesn’t look like it moonlights as an Uber for Mr Big Ears (a Noddy reference for any youngsters out there).
Read more about
- Eye-popping new Japanese sports car spotted: Upcoming Honda Prelude sports car will look like its sleek concept as hybrid Hyundai i30 sedan N rival spotted testing in Germany: Report
- Honda CR-V 2025 review: e:HEV RS long-term | Part 1
- Popular family cars hit with four star safety rating: 2025 Honda CR-V and Honda ZR-V called out by ANCAP in a blow for the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Corolla Cross Hybrid rivals
We're testing out the top hybrid model, the L, to see what else this urban dweller gets right and what it sometimes gets wrong.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1.5L |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 4.3L/100km |
| Seating | 4 seats |
Verdict
Hyundai Tucson8.1/10
The updated Hyundai Tucson Elite Hybrid N Line offers families space, features and easy-enough handling for everyday stuff and the occasional weekend adventure pursuits.
The price point is higher than the previous non-hybrid model but you get a lot of bang for your buck and my family was comfortable this week.
Honda HR-V7.8/10
The Honda HR-V e:HEV L offers a respectable driving experience in the city but compared to its rivals, it’s features list and safety don’t always stack up. It sort of straddles the fence between basic and lux at times, which is an odd place for a top-model to be but its sharper styling will win hearts and the cabin is still practical.
Design
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson has seen a minor facelift on the exterior but most of the changes are in the cabin.
The N Line pack means that you get 19-inch alloy wheels over the standard 18-inch version as well as extended body panelling instead of black plastic trims. There is N Line badging across the car too, but N Line option pack does limit you to just four exterior colour choices.
The front features new stacked LED DRLs which tie in with the fang-like design of the rear LEDs. The origami-styled panelling looks more severe than the previous model which helps it stand out in a class that’s heavy on rivals.Â
The cabin features a completely reconfigured dashboard and now sports a large curved display panel that houses those upgraded tech screens and a new 6.6-inch climate control panel.
The centre console has been redesigned to look like it’s floating and now adds an extra-large storage cubby underneath it.
The upgraded interior makes the Tucson a leader for the mid-sized SUV segment and is very pleasant to spend time in.
Honda HR-V
The small SUV segment can often be littered with odd-looking cars that highlight pillowy or severely angular body-shapes (lookin' at you C-HR) but the HR-V offers something stylish and modern instead.
The 2025 HR-V has a sharper design that accentuates the coupe styling, slim LED headlights and crisp-looking grille. A feature highlight is the eye-catching full-length tail-light treatment which makes the design pop at the back.Â
The interior is gorgeous with a streamlined dashboard that features just the right number of buttons and dials for those who want more tactility in a world where screens rule.
While the technology screens are on the smaller end, they look great against the synthetic leather trims and soft touchpoints that are liberally splashed throughout the cabin.
The cockpit is driver-orientated with everything within reach and easy to use while on the go. The steering wheel looks sporty and feels wonderful.
Everything looks well-built and feels solid; it's a cabin you’ll be pleased to spend time in.
Practicality
Hyundai Tucson
The cabin up front is spacious with plenty of head- and legroom on offer. You also won’t jostle for elbow room either when you have a passenger.
The seats are comfortable with their heat function but you might still get fatigue on longer trips as you only get adjustable lumbar on the drivers side and it's simple at best.
The back seat has really good space for the class and no matter the passenger, they were comfortable back there. The seats in the rear are well-padded and access to this row is good for sliding in a child seat as the door aperture is wide.
Other amenities are average with directional air-vents, a single reading light, and a fold-down armrest. My seven-year-old son found the window sills to be quite high, so he didn’t get the view he wanted.
The individual storage is excellent for the class with the redesign as you get a dedicated storage shelf in front of the front passenger and a massive cubby that easily fits a handbag underneath the mid-sized centre console.
There are two cupholders and two drink bottle holders per row but the rear storage bins are skinny. The rear row also gets map pockets but again, these are shallow.
The upgraded technology is a must have and the new multimedia system is easy to use once you spend time with it and looks great with its graphics. The system has built-in satellite navigation, over-the-air updates and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Connecting the CarPlay is simple and maintains a strong connection.
Charging options are great with two USB-C ports per row and the front also gets a wireless charging pad and a 12-volt socket to choose from. The centrally located position of the charging pad is handy and the liner grippy - so no phone movement.
Rounding out the practicality is the boot, which has a wide aperture and a loading space level with 582L of capacity available with all seats in use, which is good for the class.
The back row has a 60/40 split but don’t fold flat – they sort of spring up a bit, which might annoy when you do a big Bunnings run.Â
There is a 12-volt socket, a space-saver spare tyre underneath the floor and you get a powered tailgate in this model – which I always like.
Honda HR-V
For a small SUV, the cabin is large. Both seating rows feature excellent access with the 195mm ground clearance not eliciting one grunt from my occupants (even the oldies).
Head- and legroom is decent in both rows but taller passengers might brush the ceiling on bumps when seated in the back.
The only area that lacks this feeling of space is the boot, as it only has 304L of capacity available when all seats are in use and that's on the tiny side compared to its rivals. The Kia Niro has 425L which rivals some sedans!
Seat comfort is best in the front where thick padding and a longer cushion offer more comfort on a longer journey, despite lacking lumbar support.
The rear seats are harder and shorter and you should expect some big stretches from adults after a road trip. However, the directional air vents and other amenities keep it from feeling too basic on comfort.
There are lots of storage options with a glove box that's large enough to fit a manual with room to spare, a small middle console, two large 'stacked' shelves in front of the gearshift, four cupholders, four drink-bottle holders and two map pockets that also feature a device holder large enough to fit my iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The HR-V has 'Magic' seats in the rear which means the base can fold up or the backs can be folded flat. It’s a cool feature that opens up extra storage options.
The technology is simple to use and responsive. The touchscreen multimedia system has built-in satellite navigation, the Honda Connect app, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. The CarPlay is easy to set up and maintains a steady connection.
Charging options are good with a single USB-A and three USB-C ports, as well as, a 12-volt socket but you miss out on a wireless charging pad despite the L being the top grade.
Price and features
Hyundai Tucson
There are now six variants for the Hyundai Tucson with the release of the hybrid powertrain and all six have the choice of being either a front-wheel-drive or all-wheel drive with either the petrol engine or hybrid powertrain. And every grade gets the option of adding the N Line style pack. So, there is no excuse for not getting the combo you actually want now.
The model on test is the mid-spec Elite Hybrid with the N Line option pack and its priced from $55,100 before on-road costs. That positions it towards the top end of the market but you get an SUV that's more feature-heavy than most of its rivals.
The standard equipment for the upgraded Elite Hybrid N Line now includes dual 12.3-inch technology screens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a 6.6-inch climate control touchpad.
Other equipment includes a powered driver’s seat, heated front seats, suede/leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging pad, digital radio, four USB-C ports, keyless entry, push-button start, space-saver spare wheel and a powered tailgate.
The Kia Sportage SX hybrid is more affordable at $45,950 MSRP but unlike the Elite Hybrid it misses out on wireless connectivity for phone charging and phone integration apps.
The Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD is priced from $52,585 MSRP but misses out on the newer and bigger technology screens that the upgraded Elite Hybrid has.
The Nissan X-Trail Ti 4WD e-Power is the closest rival in terms of price ($55,090 MSRP) and available features.
Honda HR-V
There are three HR-V variants available, starting with the petrol base-model Vi X, moving to the mid-spec e:HEV X and on to the top-grade e:HEV L; which is the model on test here.
The L is priced from $42,900, drive-away (2000, NSW postcode), which positions it as the most affordable compared to its similarly graded rivals. The Kia Niro HEV GT-Line is $55,487, drive-away, and the Toyota C-HR Koba is $55,180, drive-away.
Despite having a much higher price tag, the rivals sport a few extra features including electric front seats, ventilated front seats, larger media screens, wireless Android Auto, a wireless charging pad and upgraded sound systems... just to name a few.
Oh, and the HR-V is only a four-seater, so the rivals also boast a fifth seating position.
That being said, the L isn't a total lump in the features department and the standard equipment is still pretty good (just not full-bodied like it's rivals).
The L comes with synthetic leather and cloth mixed upholstery and trims, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Technology includes a 9.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system with satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, six-speaker sound, the 'Honda Connect' app, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, one USB-A port, three USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket and Bluetooth connectivity as well as AM/FM and digital radio.
Practicality feels well-rounded with keyless entry and start, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, dual-zone climate control and a powered tailgate.
Under the bonnet
Hyundai Tucson
The Elite Hybrid N Line model features a hybrid powertrain that combines an electric motor with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. They combine to produce 172kW of power and 367Nm of torque. Which is more than enough to make the mid-sized Tucson feel spirited.
This particular variant is AWD and uses a six-speed automatic transmission, which can over rev at times but is mostly smooth with its gear changes.
Honda HR-V
The L is a hybrid which combines a 1.5L four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and together they produce up to 96kW of power and 253Nm of torque.
Which is plenty to make the L feel like a zippy city car but on the open road, the engine has a tendency to over-rev and can get whiny going up a hill, which may be a by-product of the continuously variable auto transmission.
Efficiency
Hyundai Tucson
The official combined cycle fuel consumption figure is a low 5.3L/100km, and my real-world usage came out at 6.0L after doing a lot of open-road driving where hybrids tend to be at their least efficient, so that is an excellent result.
The Tucson hybrid is the second best for fuel usage after the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, which sits at 4.8L/100km for combined usage. Overall, the new hybrid powertrain has proven itself to be pretty frugal.Â
Based on the official combined fuel cycle and 53L fuel tank, expect a theoretical driving range of up to 981km, which is great for a family road tripper.
Honda HR-V
The HR-V L has a low combined (urban/extra-urban) fuel cycle figure of just 4.3L/100km which is not far off the 4.0L/100km claims of its rivals. Combined with the 40L fuel tank, you have a theoretical driving range of up to 930km, which is pretty darn good!
After doing a lot of urban driving, with a couple of longer trips thrown in, my real-world usage came out at 5.1L, which is isn't too far off the claimed figure, is still a good result overall and computes to a range in excess of 780km.
Driving
Hyundai Tucson
The new hybrid powertrain offers respectable power delivery that makes the Tucson feel zippy in the city and a relaxed cruiser on the open road.
There can be some over-revving when you’re trying to get up to speed and the accelerator and brake feel touchy at first until you get used to them.
On the hybrid side of things the Elite Hybrid has regenerative braking and there are moments of pure EV mode but it kicks in seemingly when it feels like it. When it is on, there’s practically no engine noise but when it's off, the cabin still remains fairly quiet.
My family went off the paved stuff this week and hit muddy and gravel roads on our quest to find a cool picnic spot, and the Elite Hybrid impressed with how it handled the different terrains. It’s not an off-roader but you can still do mini adventures.
The Tucson is mid-sized and has a very clear reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors, so it’s not too hard to manoeuvre or park.
The real negative feedback is that on three separate occasions, our test car randomly shifted into neutral while driving and to clarify, this did not occur while trying to shift into or out of 'drive' but while on the road, already in drive.
The first time it happened, I thought I had somehow bumped the column shifter but on the other two occasions, I happened to be watching my husband drive and he didn’t touch the shifter.
This is probably just a fault on out test car and not indicative of the model in general but it wasn't fun.
Honda HR-V
The HR-V L is an SUV perfectly suited to city life. Its power delivery is responsive around town, allowing for quick bursts when needed and the well of power feels deep until you get onto the open road. And as mentioned, that’s when it’s let down a bit.
The HR-V has a tendency towards mild understeer in quicker sweeping bends but is otherwise surefooted on the road. The suspension is firm, and you’ll notice the bumps here and there, but ride comfort still manages to be okay most of the time. Also road noise isn’t too high around town.
The visibility is great until you’re trying to look out of the back window and have a passenger to your left or a car seat installed. A digital rearview mirror would have been quite welcome in these scenarios.Â
Like most small SUVs the HR-V is easy to park and it’s small enough to be your best friend in a tiny car park. However, the reversing camera doesn’t reflect the grade level as the quality of the feed isn’t the best.
Safety
Hyundai Tucson
FINALLY! Hyundai has listened to the people.
They have found a workaround for the annoyingly intrusive beeping alerts associated with the traffic sign recognition and speed alert tech. Yes, they still alert unless you turn them off and yes, you still have to turn the damn thing off every time you get in the car, but you not longer have to access five to six menu pages to do so. Hurrah.
The Hyundai Tucson Elite Hybrid N Line has a robust safety features list and includes equipment like blind spot monitoring, driver attention monitoring, safe exit warning, rear occupant alert, forward collision warning, LED daytime running lights, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping aid, traffic sign recognition, intelligent seatbelt warning, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, and front/rear parking sensors.
Our test model misses out on lane departure alert and the lane keeping aid is too intrusive for every day driving. It gets to the point where you wonder who is driving, you or the car.
The Hyundai Tucson has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2021 and the hybrid variants are covered by this as well. It has seven airbags, including, the newer front centre airbag.
The Tucson has two ISOFIX child seat mounts and three top-tethers.
Auto emergency braking (AEB) is standard and features car, pedestrian, cyclist and junction assist detection which is operational from 5.0 – 80km/h (85km/h for car) but it's usual to see a higher top speed for the car detection (usually 180km/h).
Honda HR-V
The HR-V has a four- out of a possible five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2022. It only features six airbags and its individual assessment scores aren’t as high as its rivals.
In fact, both the rivals I’ve mentioned performed much better and have additional safety features to boot, including safe exit assist, 360-degree view camera systems and rear occupant alert. Which the HR-V misses out on.
The top model HR-V benefits the most in safety compared to the lower grades and includes blind-spot monitoring, front fog lights, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping aid and departure warning, traffic sign recognition, intelligent seatbelt warning, adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera as well as front and rear parking sensors.
Some notes, though. The lane departure and keeping aids seem to 'activate' whenever they feel like it. I had them come on more on unmarked roads than marked.
The adaptive cruise control can be too sensitive at times and having the car slam on brakes when you're passing a parked car on the highway going 100km/h is a scary experience to say the least.
The HR-V has AEB with car, pedestrian, and cyclist detection which is operational from 5.0 to 100km/h (170km/h for car).
Being a four-seater, you only get two ISOFIX child seat mounts and two top-tether anchor points and while it is easy to fit a child seat in, the top of it wipes out your rearview vision.
The safety is pretty disappointing as it lets down an otherwise solid SUV.
Ownership
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai offers the Tucson with a five-year/unlimited km warranty and the battery is covered by an eight-year/160,000km warranty which is pretty standard for the class now.Â
You can pre-purchase servicing for up to five years and the breakdowns are as follows.
Three years or up to 30,000km for $1240 (average $413 per service).
Four years or up to 40,000km for $1700 (average $425 per service).
Five years or up to 50,000km for $2040 (average $408 per service).
The five-year pricing is comparable to its rivals and not outrageous for the class.
Servicing intervals could get annoying if you put a lot of kilometres on your car as they sit at every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever occurs first.
Honda HR-V
Honda offers the HR-V with a five-year/unlimited km warranty and an eight-year battery warranty which is on the lower end considering it's rivals can get up to seven-years unlimited km warranty now.
The five years capped-priced servicing program offers excellent value, however, as services are a flat $199, which is great for the class.
Servicing intervals are at every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever occurs first and that should be fine for the average city dweller. But it could get annoying if you put higher than average kays on your car every year.