In the 1990s, sedans were a preferred choice among worldwide consumers. As we’ve moved to a more modern world, people’s choices have changed. Today, compact SUVs are a popular choice in the Middle East market. They are more practical, offer more cabin space and passenger space than a sedan, and offer solid handling on the highways with more than enough ground clearance for unpaved roads.
In Middle East, we just got two new whips, Toyota RAV4 5th gen and 2024 Hyundai Tucson, while based on the fourth generation introduced in 2020, features some new additions that we will discuss later.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | Toyota’s Most Sensible Compact SUV
RAV4 is Toyota’s flagship HEV C-segment SUV. It was first launched in 1994, and now, in 2024, it is in its 5th generation.
The hybrid option already existed in the 4th generation, but this latest SUV brings the PHEV (plug-in hybrid) option for the first time across Toyota’s compact SUV lineup, although it has not yet been launched in the UAE market. On the positive side, the UAE variant of the RAV4, despite its 2.5-liter engine and SUV body, still manages an impressive fuel economy of 22 km/l.
The Japanese carmaker has only focused on making this car practical and to make it do the job. You’ll not see anything flashy here; it’s fuel-efficient, super reliable, has solid, rugged looks, and offers all the things that you would need in your daily city drive, plus attractive pricing for a Toyota car.
Hyundai Tucson 2024 | Doped Stylish, Yet Practical Option
On the first look, the Hyundai Tucson SUV is definitely a head-turner in its segment, with new cyberpunk styles and an uplifted but super practical interior. It takes the greatest hit design elements from every other car on the market and brings them into one package.
The front is inspired by the Mercedes EQS, front quarter panel from the Bentley Flying Spur, and the rear taillights from the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The result? It’s undoubtedly a car that makes you want to turn back for a second look.
Just like the RAV4, Hyundai offers you the option of choosing an HEV or a petrol variant. The HEV is 1.6-liter with an electric powertrain under the trunk, and petrol variants start at 2.0 liter and go up to 2.5 liter GDI engines. But, for this comparison, we’ll only be comparing the HEV variants of both cars.
Performance
On the performance side, the RAV4 takes the edge due to its bigger engine. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder HEV engine outputs 219 HP of combined power and 221 Nm of torque, outperforming Tucson in combined HP.
The Tucson gets a 1.6-liter GDI engine that outputs a total power of 177 HP and 264 Nm of torque. Although the HP is lower than the RAV4 due to its smaller engine size, Tucson’s HEV powertrain delivers more power overall, so you get 43 additional Nm of torque compared to its competitor.
If we jump to fuel economy, the RAV4 takes the lead again. The company claimed it is 22.2 Kmpl, but real life will range around 16-18 Kmpl. Tucson, on the other hand, only does about 10-13 Kmpl, as per the third-party reviewers.
Interior, Style, and Hi-techs
On the interior, both cars are class apart. While Tucson’s seems more like a cyberpunk car from the inside, RAV4 is more focused on Toyota’s iconic design language with no fuss, only practical and minimal stylings.
Tucson’s interior uses lots of superb-quality material with slick modern stylings. It might be a mid-range family SUV, but sit inside, and you’ll be forgiven for thinking it’s a posh high-budget car. The feel of the materials and the way Hyundai has put them together give a look and sense of a car worth more than its invoice price.
The infotainment is 10.25”, which is super bright. The contrast ratio is also superb, with a good ratio of bright and black. Viewability is also good, even in bright sunlight.
On the other hand, the RAV4 interior is also well-built and looks very sensible. All over the interior, you’ll see soft-touch plastics, but they look fine. However, the infotainment really needs an upgrade; it seems like a generic after-market infotainment. Moreover, just like the Toyota Fortuner, RAV4’s armrest is not good either. It still features that same cheap looking armrest that wobbles and gets scratched too easily.
If you spend more money and buy the VXR variant, you’ll get leather seats that are electronically adjustable and heated on the driver’s side. The screen size is a bit smaller than that of Tucson, i.e., 8”, which now comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
1-1 Side by Side Comparison
Here’s a side-by-side comparison
| Pricing | Toyota RAV4 VXR | Hyundai Tucson |
| Starts from | AED 120,900 | AED 96,000 |
| Exterior | ||
| Alloy wheels | 18”, glossy black and grey combination | 18”, grey color |
| Headlights | Projector LEDs | Halogens |
| DRLs | Yes | Yes |
| Panoramic roof | Yes | Yes |
| Roof spoiler | Yes | Yes |
| Powertrunk | Yes | Yes |
| Power and Performance | ||
| Engine Size | 2.5-liters, 4 cylinder VVTi | 1.6-liters, 4 cylinders GDI |
| Power (combined) | 219 HP | 177 HP |
| Torque (combined) | 221 Nm | 264 Nm |
| Fuel economy | 22 Kmpl (claimed) | 10-13 Kmpl (reviewers claimed) |
| Transmission | eCVT | 7-speed DCT |
| Drive system | 4×4 | FWD |
| Fuel tank capacity | 55 liters | 54 liters |
| Interior | ||
| AC | 2-zone climate control | 2-zone climate control |
| Seats | Leather | Fabric |
| Speakers | 6 | 6 |
| Infotainment | 8” with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 10.25” with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Front Seats | Electronic + Driver side memory seat | Electronic |
| Rear AC | Yes | Yes |
| MID | All digital | All digital |
| Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror | Yes | Yes, with HomeLink |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Safety | ||
| Radars | Yes | Yes |
| ABS, ESC, DBC, HAC | Yes | Yes |
| Airbags | 7 | 2 |
| Auto High Beams (AHB) | Yes | Yes |
| Sway Alert System | Yes | Yes |
| 360 Cameras | Yes | Yes |
| Forward Collision Alert | Yes | Yes |
Let us know what you think about these two cars, and keep following the Arabwheels blog for more future comparisons.