Can Hyundai’s Tucson beat Toyota’s RAV4?

HYUNDAI has launched a mid-life update of the medium size Tucson SUV introducing a hybrid powertrain option for the first time in a line-up that places the South Korean manufacturer on a more even footing against a plethora of competitors as well as being advantageous for the incoming NVES.

The Medium SUV segment is the most competitive in Australia and Tucson faces heavy competition from the likes of Mitsubishi’s good looking Outlander, Mazda’s long-in-the-tooth CX-5, Kia’s funky-styled Sportage and the number one contender, Toyota’s RAV4, which currently holds 22.6 per cent of segment sales at 25,465 units (YTD).

Compare that with the number-two ranked in the segment, Mitsubishi’s Outlander at 14,443 units YTD and the RAV4’s dominance is clear.

The just superseded Tucson model was holding station at number five in the medium size SUV pecking order at 8.4 per cent share or 9462 units YTD with aspirations of moving on up following the arrival of the new model.

That would require conquest sales over other players including the RAV4 which, despite being hamstrung by supply (three months average wait for delivery) and an old model, totally dominates the segment.

But if you want a non-hybrid RAV4 you’d better be quick because Toyota will only accept orders for Hybrid RAV4s staring from last month.

Available stock of non-hybrid models will run-out at the end of the calendar year. On the other side of the coin, Hyundai offers new Tucson with two non-hybrid engines that will be readily available into the future.

So, let’s take a comparative look at the (relative) newbie against the now ageing generation five XA50-series RAV4 that first saw the light of day back in 2018.

On price, the two are fairly close with the base model Tucson 2.0 FWD listed from $39,100 and the entry level RAV4 2.0 GX FWD petrol listed from $39,760. Both prices exclude on-road costs. The Tucson tops out at $61,100 for the Premium Hybrid AWD N-Line against the RAV4 2.5 Edge AWD Hybrid listed from $58,360 again both excluding on roads.

Between these upper and lower price points, each has what could be described as comparable models that prospective buyers might shop against each other with Toyota offering 13 variant choices and Hyundai 17, each manufacturer now placing a focus on their Hybrid models in both FWD and AWD.

Being a more recent design gives the Tucson a slight tech’ edge across safety and multimedia with the latest iteration of Hyundai’s SmartSense and BlueLink systems but both models score a five-star ANCAP rating.

Under the bonnet of the RAV4 is a choice of petrol four cylinder engines in 2.0-litre, 2.5 litre and an Atkinson Cycle 2.5-litre Hybrid the former good for 127kW/203Nm, the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre petrol with eight speed auto and AWD good for 152W and 243Nm and the Atkinson Cycle 2.5-litre Hybrid good for 160kW and 163kW for the FWD and AWD respectively with approximately 400Nm (as the factory specs don’t add in torque from the integrated electric motor with the combustion motor).

The Hybrid’s battery is a nickel-metal hydride 1.6kWh 245V unit.

RAV4 transmissions are either a CVT or eight-speed automatic, model dependent, with on-demand AWD where applicable.

Similarly, the Tucson range kicks off with a naturally aspirated Atkinson Cycle 2.0-litre petrol four cylinder with front wheel drive rated at 115kW and 192Nm – but this is where the similarities diverge as the Tucson’s next engine upscale is a 1.6-litre turbo petrol four cylinder rated at 132kW/264Nm in front or all-wheel drive configuration and then stepping up to the same 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine this time with an integrated electric motor fed through a lithium-ion polymer 1.49kWh, 270V battery rated at a combined 172kW/367Nm output.

Tucson transmissions are either six-speed conventional auto or a seven speed DCT.

The AWD system is an on-demand arrangement.

Both RAV4 and Tucson hybrids use regenerative energy from braking and deceleration to replenish the battery.

The RAV4 Hybrid uses up to two electric motors in its powertrain including one dedicated to driving the rear axle for AWD with the RAV4 Edge 2.5 AWD (non-hybrid) using a mechanical diff/axle AWD system.

The Tucson uses a transmission integrated electric motor and more conventional drive system for AWD. Fuel economy claims for the Tucson are 8.1 litres per 100km for the 2.0-litre, 6.7 and 7.2 for the turbo FWD and AWD and 5.3 for both FWD and AWD Hybrids… all on standard 91RON unleaded petrol.

The RAV4 2.0-litre is rated at 6.5 litres per 100km and the 2.5-litre AWD 7.3 with the Hybrid consuming 4.7 and 4.8 for the FWD and AWD respectively, all on 91RON petrol.

So, the RAV4 with no turbo engines gets the chocolates in the fuel economy stakes.

Towing capacity for the RAV4 is a maximum 1500kg while the Tucson tops out at 1900kg for the AWD Hybrid, the others are 1650kg. Points Tucson’s way…

Looking at the age of each vehicle we find the RAV4 is older at around five to six years since it first appeared, whereas the Tucson is around four years old with the benefits that brings in terms of safety, tech’ and even styling (though the latter is subjective).

Some love the angular look of the RAV4 while other prefer the smoother look of the Tucson, and the same applies inside though the minimalist layout of the Tucson with mainly screen driven functions is more in keeping with the latest trends as is its OTA and connected car capability introduced on the new model.

Size-wise, the RAV4 is between 4600mm and 4615mm long depending on variant, between 1855mm and 1865mm wide, and between 1685mm and 1690mm high. It rides on a 2690mm wheelbase.

The Tucson is between 4640mm and 4650mm long, again depending on variant,1865mm wide and 1665mm high. It rides on a 2755mm wheelbase.

Interior dimensions across load space, shoulder, hip, leg and headroom are similar, within millimetres of each other, in fact.

Both are five seaters with folding rear pews for additional luggage space and both run the same suspension types, a Macpherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension with all wheel discs on stopping duty. The RAV4 has 195mm ground clearance and the Tucson 192mm.

The RAV4 weighs from 1515kg to 1705kg while the Tucson spans 1495kg to 1686kg.

The RAV4 has a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and the first six services (six-monthly) for three years or 60,000kms whichever occurs first priced at $180 apiece.

The Tucson is also covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and the model costs between $350 and $399 per service, required annually or every 15,000km for the 2.0-litre and 10,000km for the turbo.

It’s obvious these two vehicles are close across many areas including price, size, capability features and target market.

The RAV4 benefits from Toyota’s vast dealer network while the Tucson has an edge in tech through being a more recent design. The relative performances on- an off-road are equitable, but the Tucson enjoys an advantage in top spec’ Hybrid guise with slightly more power and a lot more torque.

Overall, the RAV4 is more fuel efficient, but the Tucson has a big towing advantage of 400kg on its top model compared to the RAV4.

All of which make for a difficult choice in an already crowded segment.