Looking to buy a hybrid vehicle? Then you’re in luck. The 2022 model year brings an all-new crop of hybrid vehicles to the market. The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and the Ford Escape Hybrid are the two most sought after. Both hybrid SUVs offer a fair amount of space and a smooth ride for families at a similar price range. However, while they are both fantastic daily drives, they have their differences.
In this comparison guide, we’ll take a closer look at both cars and help you decide which is the best fit for your needs. By the end, you should have a good idea of which vehicle is right for you.
Performance
On the performance front, the Tucson Hybrid comes standard with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood paired with an electric motor, making it peppy and fun to drive. This gives the Tucson Hybrid 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, so it gets up to speed quickly and has no problem merging onto the highway. Its six-speed automatic transmission is also a smooth operator, and the all-wheel drive system is a pleasant bonus.
On the other hand, the Ford Escape Hybrid comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated motor. It has a powerful electric motor for a total system output of 221 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, which is a bit less than the Tucson. It’s also not as quick off the line as the Tucson Hybrid, but it’s still a capable performer. Its power is sent through a continuously variable automatic transmission, and it comes standard with front-wheel drive.
Gas Mileage and Range
The first thing most people think about when they hear the word “hybrid” is fuel economy. And for good reason. One of the main benefits of owning a hybrid car is the significant savings on fuel costs. So, how do the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Ford Escape Hybrid stack up in this department?
The Tucson Hybrid has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 38 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. On the flip side, the EPA-estimated fuel economy rating for the Ford Escape Hybrid is 44 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. So, the Escape Hybrid has a better fuel economy in the city, while the Tucson Hybrid is slightly better on the highway.
Range-wise, the Tucson Hybrid has a 13.7-gallon fuel tank, allowing you to travel up to 520.6 miles in the city or on the highway on a single tank before refueling. When it comes to recharging the battery, you can expect to get about 33 miles of electric-only range.
With the Ford Escape Hybrid’s slightly larger 14.3-gallon fuel tank, you can travel up to 629.2 miles in the city and 529.1 miles on the highway on a single tank. As for its electric-only range, the Escape Hybrid can travel up to 38 miles, which is the average daily commute for most Americans.
Overall, the Tucson Hybrid and the Escape Hybrid are both very efficient hybrid SUVs. But the Escape Hybrid has the edge in terms of range and fuel economy.
Cabin Space and Storage
With a roomier and longer body, the Tucson Hybrid offers more passenger and cargo space than the Ford Escape Hybrid. The Tucson Hybrid has a total passenger volume of 108.2 cubic feet, while the Escape Hybrid has 102.2 cubic feet. This gives passengers more legroom, headroom, and hip room. To be specific, that’s 0.1 inches more front headroom, 0.2 inches more rear headroom, 2.4 inches more rear legroom, and 0.6 inches more rear hip room. The cabin also has a more premium feel and can comfortably seat up to five adults.
As for cargo space, the Tucson Hybrid has a maximum cargo capacity of 38.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 80.3 cubic feet with the rear seats down. Meanwhile, the Escape Hybrid has a maximum cargo capacity of 34.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 66.8 cubic feet with the rear seats down. So, the Tucson Hybrid gives you more space to work with when hauling cargo on those long road trips.
Entertainment Features
Entertainment is another crucial aspect to consider when choosing an SUV. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time behind the wheel, and it’s important to have access to features that will make your drive more enjoyable.
If you’re looking for an SUV with all the bells and whistles, then you’ll want to take a closer look at the Tucson Hybrid. It comes standard with a 10.25-inch touch-screen display that is responsive, user-friendly, easy to read, and offers split-screen functionality. The Ford Escape Hybrid comes standard with an 8-inch touch-screen display. It’s not as large or as intuitive as the Tucson’s display, and the SYNC 3 system feels dated compared to Hyundai’s infotainment system.
As for connectivity, the Tucson Hybrid comes standard with wireless Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The Ford Escape Hybrid also has these features, but, unlike the Tucson, it doesn’t benefit from Hyundai’s Bluelink system, which allows you to control certain SUV features using your smartphone.
In terms of audio, the Tucson Hybrid comes standard with a premium eight-speaker Bose audio system with dynamic speed compensation. The Ford Escape Hybrid comes standard with a six-speaker audio system, but you’ll have to pay extra if you want to upgrade to the 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The bottom line is that the Tucson Hybrid offers a stronger suite of entertainment and connectivity features than the Ford Escape Hybrid.
When choosing between the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and the Ford Escape Hybrid, it comes down to your personal preferences. Both are great hybrid SUVs with their own unique set of strengths. But if we had to choose, the Tucson Hybrid is hands down the better buy. It’s more efficient for highway driving, it offers more passenger and cargo space, and it has a better infotainment system.
Huffines Hyundai Plano is the best place to buy a new Hyundai Tucson Hybrid in the Plano, Texas, area. With a vast selection of new and used vehicles, we’re sure to have the perfect car for you. And if you need any extra help, our knowledgeable finance team will work with you to find a payment plan that fits your budget. Contact us today to schedule a test drive.