The best rivalries are often family inspired. Such is the case when comparing the Hyundai Tucson vs the Kia Sportage. While they are separate automakers, the two collaborated on developing a SUV platform that was sturdy, nimble, and would navigate highways and city roads with comfort. They succeeded.
While the Tucson and Sportage share the same chassis and similar body lines, there are minor yet quite important differences which visitors to a Tampa Hyundai dealership like Brandon Hyundai can see for themselves.
Let’s compare these two cousins up close and personal. We’ll dive under the hood to explore the different engine options, take a gander inside, and examine the technology and safety features. In the end, we’ll explain why the 2020 Hyundai Tucson gains a competitive advantage over the Sportage, offering you the best bang for the buck.
The Hyundai Tucson received a complete makeover in 2019. As such, the 2020 variant arrives at Tampa Hyundai dealers mainly unchanged. Some minor enhancements include a plethora of new exterior colors, and the addition of a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob on Sport trims and above.
The 2020 Hyundai Tucson Hyundai revamped the available colors for the exterior; a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are standard on Sport trim levels and above. The 2020 Hyundai Tucson is available in six unique trim levels; the SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate.
The Sportage likewise receives a few enhancements for 2020. Most of the upgrades are featured on upper trim levels and focus on technology improvements. The Sportage is offered in four trims; the LX, S, EX, and SX Turbo.
A pair of engine configurations are offered with both the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. The Tucson comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 161 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft of torque. This engine is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, that delivers power to the standard front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is an option on multiple trims.
When connected to FWD, this powertrain returns an EPA-estimated 23 miles per gallon in the city, and 28 mpg highway. AWD Tucson’s with this configuration return 22 mpg city / 25 mpg highway.
The second powertrain option is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that belts out 181 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft of torque. Fuel economy ratings are nearly identical – in fact, the larger engine receives improved fuel economy on highways across the board.
The Kia Sportage also offers two powertrain combos. Their base is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 181 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft of torque.
Like the Tucson, it's connected to a similar six-speed automatic transmission and is standard with front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive available. Fuel economy in FWD is 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. With AWD, it drops to 22 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
The upgraded engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. As expected, the extra power comes at a cost of efficiency, dropping to 19 mpg city and 24 mpg in AWD configuration.
While these two SUV cousins are quite similar on the outside, inside it’s a variety of a different color. The 2020 Hyundai Tucson offers a plethora of interior enhancement through the six-trim levels.
Features including a seven-inch color touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration is standard. It also includes standard safety including driver attention warning, a forward collision-avoidance assist system, lane-keeping assist and many more.
Available enhancements include 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.
Extra driver-assisted safety systems can also be added to the 2020 Hyundai Tucson. 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 available.
The 2020 Kia Sportage received some interior enhancements for the new year. The main improvement was the addition of a new eight-inch touchscreen display, and an available Harman Kardon® audio system – available in upper trim levels as a package upgrade.
This is an area where both crossovers are virtually identical. The Tucson is a dual-row crossover SUV with ample seating for five passengers. It features 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 Hyundai Tucson is also quite comfy, especially for those taller passengers and drivers. It features a robust 39.6 inches of front headroom and 41.5 inches of front legroom. Rear headroom is nearly identical, measuring 39.2 inches, and plenty of rear seat leg-room – at 38.2 inches.
The Kia Sportage is slightly more cramped inside. Total interior volume drops to 129.3 cubic feet, with 60 cubic feet of second-row folded cargo space. The headroom is on par with its platform cousin – as is legroom in the front and back seats.
There are several attributes that determine value. Obviously the first is the sticker price. Hyundai’s SE is the entry-level trim and has a MSRP of $21,550. Kia’s opening Sportage will cost consumers $2,400 more.
Then there is the cost of ownership, warranties, and the expense of routine maintenance. Hyundai exceeds multiple competitors in each of these important areas. Every new 2020 Hyundai receives factory scheduled maintenance intervals for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first). Add America’s Best Warranty like 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 and the savings continue to add up in Hyundai’s favor.
The 2020 Hyundai Tucson offers Tampa compact crossover SUV shoppers with value across the board. Brandon Hyundai is the place to see one up close.
Our primary objective is to treat every visitor to our Tampa Hyundai dealership with integrity, respect, and always operate with ethical business practices. Take 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.
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