The compact SUV segment has many good choices and a few great ones, including the 2025 Honda CR-V and 2025 Hyundai Tucson. In our latest comparison test, these two popular SUVs ranked at the top of the class.
So, how do you choose between two winners? It will likely come down to the details. With that in mind, here’s how the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson stack up against each other.
2025 Honda CR-V
You know the Honda CR-V. Everyone knows the Honda CR-V. It basically birthed the compact SUV segment as we know it decades ago. It is a multi-year Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award winner and currently our topped-rank model. It meets a lot of needs for a lot of people, and is available as both a standard gasoline-powered model and as a hybrid, which we review separately. This year, there’s even an innovative fuel-cell variant for California buyers. For this comparison, we highlight the gas models, which start at $31,450, including destination fee.
Honda CR-V Highlights
Honda Sensing: Standard on every Honda CR-V, this wide-ranging suite of active safety and driver assistance features includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and more.
Easy to load up: The CR-V might be classified as a compact SUV, but it can hold a lot of gear. With the rear seats up, it boasts 39.3 cubic feet of capacity, which grows to 76.5 with the seats down. Plus, it has a low load floor, which made it easier to load and unload groceries, gear, and everything else.
Smartphone connectivity: While this is pretty much the norm these days, it deserves mentioning that the Honda CR-V comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Once you’ve used these systems in your car, it’s hard to live without them.
Read our Expert Review or see the 2025 Honda CR-V models for sale near you
2025 Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is also an established and respected player in the compact SUV segment, with a history that goes back two decades. We can easily say that the current model is the best yet, boasting exceptional looks, gee-whiz tech, excellent safety systems, and an unbeatable warranty. In addition to the standard gas model we highlight here, the Tucson is also available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid. Prices start at $30,000, including destination fee.
Hyundai Tucson Highlights
Baby mode: Have you ever awoken your little bundle of joy with a too-sudden tap on the accelerator? The Tucson’s Baby mode, a new feature for 2025, can prevent that with a gentler throttle response. We think this would also be a boon for us dog owners.
Class-leading warranty: Like all new Hyundai vehicles, the Tucson boasts an unbeatable warranty of five years/60,000 miles bumper to bumper and 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain. That is far longer than what the Honda CR-V’s terms.
Eye-popping tech: The Tucson definitely overachieves in this regard. Where the CR-V’s largest touchscreen is 9 inches, the Tucson comes standard with a 12.3-inch unit. Available is a twin 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, Hyundai’s ingenious Blind-Spot View Monitor system, and even Remote Smart Parking Assist, which allows you to maneuver the Tucson into and out of tight spots while standing outside the vehicle. Honda can’t touch that.
Read our Expert Review or see 2025 Hyundai Tucson models for sale near you
Similarities
Here are two compact SUVs at the top of their game and ranks. Both the CR-V and Hyundai Tucson feature excellent active safety systems, roomy accommodations, and a cargo area. They can be had with a traditional gas engine or fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain.
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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 2025 Honda CR-V vehicles and 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
| 2025 Honda CR-V | 2025 Hyundai Tucson | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 190 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 187 hp @ 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 179 lb-ft @ 1,700 – 5,000 rpm | 178 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 28 city/34 highway/30 combined | 25 city/29 highway/28 combined |
| Also Available | AWD; hybrid | AWD; hybrid; plug-in hybrid |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | NA | NA |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 inches | 108.5 inches |
| Overall Length | 184.8 inches | 182.3 inches |
| Width | 73.5 inches | 73.4 inches |
| Height | 66.5 inches | 66.3 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.3 feet | 38.6 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40 inches | 40.1 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 38.2 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.3 inches | 41.4 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 41.0 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.9 inches | 57.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.9 inches | 56.0 inches |
| Cargo Volume seats up/down | 39.3/76.5 cubic feet | 38.7/74.8 cubic feet |
Conclusion
Even for the KBB.com staff that drives and reviews just about every new car made, this was a toss-up. Both of these compact SUVs bring a tremendous set of skills. The Honda CR-V has an excellent reputation, great resale value, and is a fantastic all-arounder. The Hyundai Tucson, meanwhile, edges the CR-V in cargo capacity, has more innovative technology, and a warranty that outlasts that of the Honda. It also starts at a lower price. Our recommendation: Drive them both and see which pulls your heartstrings.
