Compact SUVs are now the best-selling type of car in America. They’re a balanced solution that meets the needs of many drivers at a reasonable price.
They have enough passenger and cargo space for the way most of us use a car most of the time. They’re usually pleasant to drive. They’re high enough to see around heavy traffic. And many handle foul weather easily.
Two of the best are the Hyundai Tucson and the Honda CR-V. Many shoppers find themselves torn between the two because both are good buys. But there are key differences that might make one a better choice for you.
Let’s explore them.
2026 Hyundai Tucson
Calling out the specific virtues of the Hyundai Tucson isn’t easy because it’s an incredibly well-balanced vehicle. Our editors appreciate its long list of standard technology features and one of the roomiest cabins in its class. The longest warranty in the car business, combined with a low starting price of $30,800, makes it a great value, too.
Hyundai Tucson Highlights
Impressive Cabin Tech: Hyundai’s designers have embraced technology at lower prices more than any other automaker in recent years. The Tucson’s touchscreen measures 12.3 inches. The CR-V’s? Just 9. Hyundai’s brilliant blind-spot view system shows you a camera view of your blind spot when you signal a turn. The Tucson comes with a remote parking system that lets you move it into and out of parking spaces from a distance with the key fob.
Standard 10-year powertrain warranty: The Tucson carries a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. That easily beats Honda’s 3-year/36,000-mile comprehensive warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage. If you’re planning to keep your next car for a long time, the Tucson may save you on repair bills.
Baby Mode: Why has no one thought of this before? Baby Mode gives you a gentler throttle response to smooth out the driving experience when you’re trying to get the baby to sleep. Every parent knows the magic of a quiet drive to get a little one to nod off, and Hyundai has made it easy.
Read our Expert Review or see 2025 Hyundai Tucson models for sale near you.
2026 Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is a major reason compact SUVs now lead the sales chart. Since the late 1990s, it has been one of the benchmarks of the segment and has consistently been a top seller nationwide. The latest version is bigger than ever, has no major flaws, and enjoys strong resale values. It’s a bit pricier, starting at $32,370.
Honda CR-V Highlights
Honda Sensing: Most automakers now offer a suite of automated safety aids, but we find Honda’s one of the smoothest on the market. It includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and more, and it rarely feels intrusive on the road.
Traffic Jam Assist: This fatigue-reducing feature is standard on every trim level. It handles acceleration, braking, and steering in stop-and-go traffic to reduce your workload (though you must stay ready to take over when prompted).
Better fuel economy: In its least expensive form, the CR-V gets 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The equivalent Tucson gets 28 mpg. The EPA estimates that a CR-V buyer would spend about $100 less per year, so this is a meaningful advantage only if you drive more than the average driver.
Read our Expert Review or see 2025 Honda CR-V models for sale near you.
Similarities
These two live near the top of our list of the Best Compact SUVs every year because both are good at nearly everything. They’re within a few horsepower of one another, available in front- or all-wheel drive (FWD or AWD), and both perennially make the list of the 20 top-selling vehicles in America.
New 2026 Hyundai Tucson Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$30,695 |
$29,600 |
|||
$32,045 |
$30,900 |
|||
$34,720 |
$33,500 |
|||
$35,045 |
$33,800 |
|||
$40,670 |
$39,200 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2026 Hyundai Tucson vehicles and New 2026 Honda CR-V vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson | 2026 Honda CR-V | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Towing Capacity | 2,700 pounds | 1,500 pounds |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 190 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 179 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm |
| Transmission | automatic, 8-speed w/shiftronic | Automatic, CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 25 city/33 highway/28 combined mpg | 28 city/34 highway/30 combined mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 inches | 106.3 inches |
| Overall Length | 182.3 inches | 184.8 inches |
| Width | 73.4 inches | 73.5 inches |
| Height | 65.6 inches | 66.2 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.6 feet | 37.3 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.1 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.5 inches | 38.2 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 41.3 inches | 41.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.6 inches | 57.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 56.0 inches | 55.9 inches |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 80.3 feet | 76.5 feet |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
The KBB staff drives nearly every car made and spends a lot of time in the best sellers. Even in our newsroom, this one is a toss-up. When that happens, it means most buyers would be safe and happy with either one. We would lean toward the Hyundai if you’re planning to drive the car for a long time due to its warranty, but neither of these SUVs has any serious drawbacks.
