We compare two of the best mainstream mid-size SUVs: Hyundai Tucson Highlander 2.0MPi 2WD vs Toyota RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid AWD

You’re going to like the look of one of these SUVs more than the other, and we understand that.

Both carve their own place in the market, with the Hyundai clearly going for a futuristic, origami-inspired appearance, while the Toyota’s own angular appearance - which made some scratch their heads when it first arrived - now looks a bit less outlandish than before.

Let’s start with the Hyundai, which manages to have LED daytime running lights that disappear into the brand’s 'parametric grille', and it looks even better in person, trust us. There are LED headlights on the Highlander, and the lower skid plate broadens the look, too.

In profile there are more creases than the book of paper aeroplanes you gave your nephew last Christmas, with lines and angles that are dazzling to behold. The door pressings are intricate (though we hate to think what could come of them after some shopping centre car park dings), while the length of the Tucson is accentuated by a couple of bold, lengthy lines along the sides.

The rear is interesting in many ways - that LED light strip on the Highlander, and those Mustang/Sorento-like rear lights are really special looking. See if you can spot the rear windscreen wiper on the Tucson. See it? No? It’s tucked up under the rear spoiler. Very, very tidy.

And if you think you need even more pizzazz, you can option an N Line pack on the Highlander, which adds a body kit, different wheels and the interior trims gets sportier, too. 

It is a decidedly interesting looking car, and looks very futuristic - even against the angle-heavy RAV4, which remains one of the better lookers in the class.

The Toyota’s sharp front end has matured nicely, and even after two years there are plenty of nice lines and finishes to the body of the Toyota SUV. It may have been considered brash initially, but now it’s almost sedate in its styling compared to the Tucson. 

As with the Tucson, the RAV4 looks substantial in its appearance, with a determined stance and a bit of a boot-like body design. The LED lighting at the front is nice, but not as modern looking as the Hyundai, and the indicators are halogens front and rear, as well as the fog lights. 

There’s no sports pack or luxury pack for the RAV4, but if you’re not into the black leather-accented interior, you can choose a ‘nutmeg’ finish. Same goes for the Tucson Highlander, which comes with black, brown or grey leather interior trim (or that N Line sports pack finish, which adds $1000 but extends far beyond just the trim).

Wondering about colours? The RAV4 is available with one zero dollar paint option - 'Glacier White'. The others are $675, and comprise 'Crystal Pearl' white, 'Silver Sky', 'Atomic Rush' red, 'Graphite' grey, 'Saturn Blue', 'Eclectic Blue' and 'Eclipse Black.'

For Hyundai, the only no-cost option is 'White Cream.' You’ll have to pay $595 more for 'Shimmering Silver', 'Amazon Grey' (actually dark green), 'Silky Bronze', 'Deep Sea Blue', 'Crimson Red', 'Titan Grey', and 'Phantom Black.'

Let’s take a look at the dimensions.

There’s not a lot separating these two SUVs, but the most notable difference is the wheelbase length. The new platform used under the Tucson is designed to offer a lot of extra interior space. Fun fact - there’s a shorter-wheelbase (2680mm) for the Tucson in Europe, which goes some of the way to explaining why the electrified versions of that car aren’t sold here.

You can see that length in the rear doors of the Tucson, and for what it’s worth, they’re large but open wider than the RAV4’s - which will be good if you’re a parent to young children. More on practicality in the next section.

Let’s next look at the weight and towing capacity ratings for these two mid-size SUVs.

The Tucson is a whole lot lighter thanks to its less complex powertrain, with no electric motor(s) or heavy battery pack components to consider. Surprisingly, the Tucson is capacity rated to tow a heavier braked trailer than the RAV4, despite not being AWD and having a considerably less grunty powertrain.

Neither of these SUVs should be considered a serious off-roader, but you won’t have issues negotiating gravel tracks to camping grounds. Ground clearance is rated at 190mm for the Toyota and 181mm for the Hyundai. 

The RAV4 we’ve got here is all-wheel drive (AWD) because that’s the closest match on price to the high-spec front-wheel drive (2WD/FWD) Tucson Highlander.

There are AWD versions of the Tucson coming - a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel - but neither was available to test at the time we put this story together.

Considering the style and size advantages of the Tucson, it just pips the RAV4 in this part of the test. Let’s check out which has the more thoughtful interior next. 

Hyundai Tucson Highlander 2.0 MPi 2WD - 9

Toyota RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid AWD - 8 

The majority of Toyota RAV4 sales are of the hybrid model, and it owns this segment of the market in terms of sales. Every month, Toyota sells more RAV4 hybrids than Hyundai sells of its entire Tucson range. That’s how popular the segment-leading model with the class-leading powertrain has become.

So it was weird to see Hyundai announce this all-new Tucson wouldn’t be offered with any form of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid or electric / electrified version at all when it launched in May 2021. Maybe that strategy will change, but the company says it can’t secure stock of electrified models - which are commonplace in Europe and the US - because we get our cars out of Korea, not the Czech Republic, where the hybrids are built.

The Tucson's 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine produces 115kW/192Nm. (image credit: Rob Cameriere)

So it is, then, that we’ve got the RAV4 that goes all-in on electrified driving (without a plug), and the Tucson that doesn’t even offer customers the option of a hybrid or electrified model.

That may matter to you, or you might be happy to continue on the combustion-engine path for the time being. But here’s a rundown of the engines fitted to the test cars we have in this comparison. 

The Tucson’s powertrain really is basic for a new car released in 2021, and even its outputs aren’t that great. In fact, they’re lower than the outgoing Tucson’s 2.0-litre engine, which happened to be a higher-tech, more modern direct-injection unit instead of the multi-point injection (MPi) powertrain employed in the all-new car.

For a bit of context, Toyota has its own 2.0-litre petrol non-turbo engine available in the Cruiser grade, and it has a healthier set of engine specs: 127kW and 203Nm. Like the Tucson, it’s front-wheel drive only, but unlike the Tucson, it’s actually considerably cheaper. The Cruiser 2.0L FWD RAV4 is $40,915, and gets basically all the same gear as the Hybrid AWD we’re testing here.

The RAV4 has a combined total output of 163kW. (image credit: Rob Cameriere)

A few crosses against the Tucson for this powertrain, then. You should note there is a 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder all-wheel drive Tucson Highlander model coming ($50,000) and also a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel AWD Tucson Highlander ($52,000), and we’re telling you now, either of those would be a better engine choice than this wheezy 2.0L. 

Now, the RAV4 has a pretty complex powertrain - technically it’s a series-parallel hybrid system, with a pair of electric motor generators up front, a rear axle electric motor for AWD on demand, and a CVT automatic (continuously variable transmission) teamed with regenerative braking. These components split the work and jump from petrol to EV to petrol-electric while aiming to recharge the batteries to help lower fuel use. 

There’s an EV button to drive in full electric mode if you want to, but it’s hardly going to scratch your Tesla itch. That said, the neat thing about the AWD system is that the rear axle is fully electric, with up to 80 per cent of torque being to the rear when needed. Toyota calls it 'eFour' all-wheel drive, and you can even choose Trail mode for off highway driving (we didn’t do an off road review in this test). 

A clear winner here, then.

Hyundai Tucson Highlander 2.0 MPi 2WD  - 6

Toyota RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid AWD - 9

Our test saw us take these two SUVs across the same roads. We wanted to see how the RAV4 and Tucson compared in terms of driving dynamics, comfort and efficiency, and we had a section of testing that included three-up running with front and rear passengers present. 

Here are our findings. 

Hyundai Tucson 2.0 MPi 2WD 

If you’ve driven any of Hyundai’s other recent offerings you’ll know the brand has established a level of ‘common feel’ to its models, with the company regularly getting its local engineering team to fettle the suspension and steering to tune it to ‘Australian tastes.'

That didn’t happen with the new Tucson, and as a result it doesn’t have that same character we’ve come to expect from the brand’s models. Hyundai Australia did sign off the ‘global tune’ applied to the new-generation Tucson, but it simply has a completely different character to what we’ve come to expect.

The engine in the Tucson is a bit of a dud. (image credit: Rob Cameriere)

It doesn’t have that steering weight or directness. Instead, it has a lightweight motion to it that takes a bit of getting used to. It’s not as engaging or involving to drive as the keen steerer might hope for, but one thing’s for sure - that light steering makes low-speed parking moves easy to manage.

The ride, too, is softer and less controlled than in the older Tucson, which was firmer almost to a fault. It just has more wobble and jostle to the body than we thought we’d see, and over bumpy corners it can feel like it’s getting a bit out of shape, especially the rear suspension.

In urban driving and regular highway stints, the suspension is nicely suited to commuting, with a supple softness. But as with any car on 19s with low-profile tyres, you can feel sharp edges when you find them, and overall it just doesn’t have the surefooted feel of other Hyundais.

The new Tucson doesn’t have the same character we’ve come to expect from other Hyundais. (image credit: Rob Cameriere)

What it does have is one of the quietest cabins going, with a really hushed environment at high and low speeds, and even on coarse-chip road surfaces it remains pretty serene.

That is, until you have to plant your foot to get that 2.0-litre engine to offer up the power and torque you need, and you have to give it a fair boot for that, too.

The engine is a bit of a dud. It’s going to be fine for people who don’t really care about how fast they get to work, especially those who don’t take anyone else with them for the drive. But with a few people and luggage on board it feels sluggish.

The ride is softer and less controlled than in the older Tucson. (image credit: Rob Cameriere)

The six-speed auto has to work hard to keep momentum going, and it does - but not smoothly or effectively, as it can hunt for gears and jump between them rather than just relying on the engine’s pulling power. Admittedly, that’s probably for the best, as the engine is a bit undercooked.

Again, a lot of these issues won’t be that bad if you just do city commuting, but as soon as you ask more of this powertrain, you realise how little it has to offer.

Toyota RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid AWD

It’s amazing to think that the Toyota RAV4 is now one of the stand-out cars in this segment for driving dynamics and fun factor. The last generation model was one of the least impressive in its class,  but this one is terrific to drive.

It has firmer, more controlled suspension that makes it feel really agile and fun to drive, and if you’re the sort of person who likes the drive as much as the destination, you’re going to enjoy going places in this car. Its stiffer suspension mightn’t be to all tastes, but the price you pay for a slightly edgy ride cashes itself in when you put the car through some twists and turns - even at low speeds it’s a more enjoyable drive through roundabouts and city streets than the Tucson.
The RAV4 suffers from more road noise. (image credit: Rob Cameriere)

The steering is considerably more involving for the driver, with a more direct and precise action. It's the sort of steering that doesn’t require you to think - just point it where you want to go, and it has a nice, natural response and feel.  

And while the loudness of the petrol engine (it’s an Atkinson cycle four-cylinder, and those are notoriously noisy) is noticeable, it can be fairly quiet on smooth surfaces. Country roads will offer up more roar in the RAV4 than in the Hyundai, so you may need to bear that mind.

The RAV4 remains one of the best SUVs in its class. (image credit: Rob Cameriere)

But when you’re in EV mode, there’s only that road roar to hear aside from a slight electric whirr, and some graunchy noise from the brake pedal, too. I’ve never been a big fan of the brake action in Toyota hybrid cars, and the RAV4 - while better than early examples of the breed - does take some getting used to. 

The powertrain itself is astounding.

It’s so refined and smooth in the way it switches between petrol and electric power, either at pace or urban speeds. You might find yourself watching the diagram on the info screen that shows where the power is coming from and how its being shuffled around the car, but it simply does what it needs to, and if you need more power at any given time, there’s no hesitation to contend with. 

The steering of the RAV4 is on another level. (image credit: Rob Cameriere)

EV driving isn’t going to be all you do in the RAV4 - the petrol engine kicks in to assist or take over readily, but the benefits are that it has notably more power and torque, is considerably more rapid in its response, and the CVT automatic seemingly has no issues in delivering the grunt to the ground, with excellent traction and pulling power in all situations.

The RAV4 isn’t perfect, sure - but its leagues ahead in this test for driving manners and enjoyment.

Hyundai Tucson Highlander 2.0 MPi 2WD  - 7

Toyota RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid AWD - 9 

Have you had a good experience with Hyundai or Toyota? That could make your mind up when it comes to choosing one of these two SUVs, because there’s not much splitting them.

We can’t speak for the real-world reliability of these two cars, but we can give you a rundown on the peace-of-mind each brand offers when it comes to their ownership promise. 

These two are pretty close on ownership prospects, and if you’re buying a hybrid you’ll probably be happy to see that Toyota backs its powertrain and its battery separately, so long as you keep going back to have the battery health checked.

It’s a compelling option, with such low service costs over the first five years. But the RAV4 doesn’t come with any roadside assistance included, and you can’t prepay your services and roll them into your finance payments like you can with the Hyundai. That little extra might just help your budget.

As mentioned above, there could be issues that crop up, reliability problems with engine, transmission, battery, electrics, suspension, or you might just want to read about any common complaints? Check out our Hyundai Tucson problems page and our Toyota RAV4 problems page to stay up to date with reported issues and recalls for these cars.

Hyundai Tucson Highlander 2.0 MPi 2WD  - 8

Toyota RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid AWD - 8