Premium compact SUVs are the way to go for most of the automobile makers in this contemporary era. This segments has witnessed a considerable surge in demand in the last few years, but unlike the entry-level crossovers, there are not many contenders in this segment.

Both Hyundai Tucson and Honda CR-V are among the most popular compact SUVs, if you have a budget of around 20 lakhs. These are essentially the new family cars for many households.

The Hyundai Tucson has recently received a major facelift, which makes it a great value for money SUV. It has been positioned between the Creta and Santa Fe, and that makes it a perfect option if you are looking for a compact yet premium utility vehicle. However, this SUV gets some serious competition in its price segment, of which the Honda CR-V seems to be the closest one, followed by Skoda Yeti and SsangYong Rexton.

So if you are in the market for a premium compact crossover, this comparison of Hyundai’s latest premium SUV with it closest rival might help you out efficiently.

Exteriors and Styling

The new Hyundai Tucson looks like an epitome of brilliant design, with meticulously carved edges and chiseled body that comes in terms with the sublimity of divinity. On the contrary, the Honda CR-V aims more towards acquiring the utility form. Such has been the contrast between the two cars that it could be drawn into conclusion that the CR-V is more like a family bound car, whereas the Tucson attracts more of the youthfulness out of its riders with its elegant design and an extra bit of detailing.

Speaking about being a family car, the CR-V holds the edge over its rival. The Honda car comes with a smartly redesigned interiors, well-padded seats great seating positions both in the front as well as in the rear. With the seats folded, the CR-V holds a much bigger boot space that makes it easier to load and unload as the deck is lower than the others. On the other hand, the elegant design makes up a little for that low cargo space to work with.

The Powerful Heart

Neither the Hyundai Tucson nor the Honda CR-V are built to inspire you to hit the long roads or the curvy nature of those never ending highways. However, both of them are extremely responsive to the everyday journey and are efficient in the fuel economy. The CR-V produces a power of 185bhp from it four cylinder 2.4-litre engine with CVT transmission. This combination works great in city roads with moderate performance. On the other hand, the Hyundai Tucson comes with two variants, one the 2.0-litre four cylinder engine, which makes a maximum power of 164bhp, and the other, a 1.6-litre four cylinder turbocharged engine, making a highest power of 175bhp. However, despite the higher power output, the dual clutch of the turbo engine can be a little sluggish to start.

Honda CR-V vs Hyundai Tucson – Which one is better?

The Hyundai Tucson packs great features for a better price, and thus the Honda CR-V does not stand anywhere close to it with regards to the value for money proposition. However, Honda sweetens the taste by adding features like the Lane Watch rear camera system that comes in handy in urban roads. Further, on the comparison scale, the Tucson offers some features that is nowhere to be found in the CR-V. The ventilated seats and sunroof are not found in the CR-V.

To conclude it all, the Tucson comes with an edge over it peer with its external design and supreme looks. On the contrary, the CR-V comes with some disciplined family utility features and interior ambience. However, this comparison would take whole new dimension once the Tucson faces the new CR-V head to head, once the latter comes into physical existence. On paper, each time Hyundai Tucson tends to steal the show, the Honda CR-V springs back to life to prove its existence.