In the highly contested compact crossover segment, two contenders reign supreme – the Hyundai Tucson vs the Honda CR-V. These two well-equipped SUVs are engineered for efficiency, built to last, and are among the most dependable vehicles available. They are both award winners and offer consumers multiple trim levels to peruse.
So, how does one pick the best crossover for their wants, needs, and of course, budget? Well, there are several subtle differences between the pair, which we will explore below. Let’s take some time to explore what’s new for 2020, the trim levels available, power options, interior technology, safety systems and of course, after the purchase care.
In the end, we’ll articulate why the 2020 Tucson offers visitors to our Tampa Hyundai dealership the best crossover SUV value.
In 2019, the Tucson received a fresh makeover. As such, the 2020 edition arrives at Brandon Hyundai mainly unchanged. However, the factory did add a few exterior color choices, and offers a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel for Sport trims and above.
The 2020 Tucson is available in six trim levels: the SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate. The Honda CR-V made some rather large changes for 2020. The most noticeable was the removal of their 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine as their standard. In its replacement is a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. Honda also now offers a hybrid CR-V – at a premium price, if that’s appealing to you. Consumers can choose between four gasoline-powered trims: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring.
If you’re looking for a peppy, fuel-efficient crossover, the 2020 Hyundai Tucson offers you a few powertrain options. The 2020 Tucson’s standard engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 161 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft of torque. It is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, that supplies power to the standard front-wheel drive. Tucson owners can opt for all-wheel drive if they choose.
The FWD powertrain returns an EPA-estimated 23 miles per gallon in the city, and 28 mpg highway. The Tucson’s AWD configuration returns 22 mpg city / 25 mpg highway.
Another engine option to consider is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that can produce 181 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft of torque. Surprisingly enough, fuel economy doesn’t dip with the larger, more powerful engine. In fact, it improves slightly in highway driving, making it a great option for those who commute daily.
The 2020 Honda CR-V is powered by a single engine option. This 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produced 190 horsepower and 179 lb.-ft of torque. It is connected to a continuously variable automatic transmission.
The CR-V is likewise offered as standard FWD or available AWD, where it returns an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. While these numbers are quite impressive, you’ll pay a premium for this type of performance – but we’ll get to that later.
The Hyundai Tucson is appointed with connectivity and interior materials that are focused on improving the driving experience. Standard features include a full color seven-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration. It also includes driver attention warning, a forward collision-avoidance assist system, lane keeping assist, and a slew of additional safety enhancements.
In upgraded trims, an eight-inch touchscreen, second-row USB ports, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, a hands-free liftgate, wireless device charging, and rain sensing windshield wipers. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, blind spot monitoring, surround view monitor, forward collision avoidance assist system with pedestrian detection, and rear-cross traffic alert are also available.
The 2020 Honda CR-V features a lack-luster infotainment system. The LX is equipped with a five-inch touchscreen, while upgraded models receive a seven-inch touchscreen with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® integration, SiriusXM, a nine-speaker audio system, and optional navigation. The interior materials are high-quality, and the CR-V is quite comfortable inside the cabin.
One of the drawbacks of a compact crossover is the feeling of being cramped. That isn’t applicable with these two. The Hyundai Tucson and Honda CR-V fit five passengers comfortably. The Tucson’s dual-row configuration includes a total interior volume of 133 cubic feet, with 31 cu-ft of storage behind the rear seats. When you fold down the rear seats, cargo space increases to nearly 62 cu-ft.
The Tucson also features an impressive 39.6 inches of front headroom and 41.5 inches of front legroom. Rear passengers have ample space, with headroom measuring 39.2 inches, and plenty of rear seat legroom – at 38.2 inches.
We spoke earlier about paying a premium for added performance under the hood. Let’s put a dollar value behind that statement. Value is always defined on an individual basis. However, most consumers today will begin with the MSRP. So, let’s compare apples to apples.
The Hyundai’s Tucson SE is the entry-level trim and has a MSRP of $21,550. The Honda CR-V LX is its entry point and begins at $25,050. That’s a $3,500 difference, before you begin to add packages or upgrades.
Consumers must also weigh the cost of routine maintenance and of course factory-backed warranties. This is where the 2020 Hyundai Tucson earns your business.
The 2020 Hyundai Tucson includes factory scheduled maintenance intervals for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first). The Hyundai Tucson is also backed by America’s Best Warranty. This includes Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, 5-Year/60,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty, and 5-Year/Unlimited Miles 24-hour Roadside Assistance.
The 2020 Hyundai Tucson is an exceptional crossover SUV that won’t put a dent in your pocketbook. Brandon Hyundai is the place to test drive one today.
We strive to exceed the expectations of every visitor to our Tampa Hyundai dealership. If you’re considering a crossover SUV for 2020, take the time to visit Brandon Hyundai and discover why Hyundai continues as the #1 in the automotive industry in the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index since 2010.
We offer a variety of financing and trade-in tools to help make your buying experience as seamless as possible. Get your free credit score in under five minutes, with no social security number required, by clicking through to the button below. With our trade-in valet service, you can sell us your car today for guaranteed cash to use toward your new purchase. At Brandon Hyundai, we hope to make your financing or leasing experience as easy as possible.
