The Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan are two decent contenders within the highly competitive family SUV market. The Tucson, which arrived in the UK in early 2021 and received a facelift in mid-2024, is no longer the budget-focused offering that exemplified its predecessors. Instead, it's now a more aspirational choice that can genuinely compete with premium brands like Audi and BMW. Meanwhile, the third-generation Tiguan maintains Volkswagen's reputation for smart, conservative styling and interior quality. It's the German firm's best-selling car worldwide and a crucial model in their lineup.
Both SUVs target similar buyers seeking a practical family vehicle with modern technology and efficient powertrains, but they take notably different approaches to achieving these goals. The Tucson emphasises distinctive styling and generous standard equipment, whilst the Tiguan focuses on refined build quality and sophisticated technology integration. With both models offering comprehensive hybrid powertrain options, including plug-in variants, the choice between them often comes down to priorities around design, driving experience, and value proposition.
Hyundai Tucson vs Volkswagen Tiguan
Practicality
Both the Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan excel in providing generous interior space for families, though they achieve this through slightly different approaches. The Tucson offers loads of legroom and headroom up front, with equally impressive accommodation for rear passengers, including tall adults. Fitting three passengers across the rear bench is inevitably tighter but remains perfectly possible. The Tiguan matches this impressive space, with room for six-foot-plus occupants both front and rear, and the added benefit of rear seats that can slide back and forth to optimise either passenger comfort or boot space, as well as the ability to recline by a few degrees.
When it comes to boot capacity, the Tiguan has a slight edge with 652 litres of luggage space compared to the Tucson's 620 litres in non-hybrid petrol form. However, the Tucson's boot space varies significantly depending on the powertrain chosen - dropping to 577 litres for mild hybrid and full hybrid versions, and 558 litres for the plug-in model. The Tiguan's plug-in hybrid versions see a more substantial reduction to 490 litres. Both vehicles feature practical boot designs, with the Tiguan offering a false floor with concealed storage underneath and 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, whilst the Tucson provides a square, usable boot shape across all variants. For families prioritising maximum boot space, the Tiguan just about has the edge, unless you want a plug-in hybrid, in which case the Tucson is the one to go for.
Driving Impressions
The powertrains reveal interesting differences between these two SUVs. The Tucson builds its entire range around a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine, available in various states of tune: 148bhp or 178bhp mild hybrids, a 227bhp self-charging hybrid, and a 261bhp plug-in hybrid. There's also a non-hybrid version, though this feels sluggish without the torque boost of hybrid assistance and only comes with a manual gearbox. The Tiguan takes a more diverse approach, offering 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engines with 128bhp or 148bhp, a 2.0-litre diesel with 148bhp, and plug-in hybrids developing either 201bhp or 268bhp with a 19.7kWh battery providing 60-70 miles of electric range.
In terms of driving character, the Tucson proves itself an easygoing companion with smooth, quiet operation, particularly impressive in 227bhp hybrid guise where the electric motor provides instant response from standstill and strong overtaking performance. However, the six-speed automatic gearbox feels somewhat sluggish in its responses, whilst mild hybrid models benefit from a crisper seven-speed twin-clutch DCT automatic. The Tiguan's 148bhp mild hybrid feels underwhelming, requiring the engine to work surprisingly hard to maintain moderate pace, with noticeable revving and gearbox hunting. However, the eHybrid plug-in models are more impressive, offering brisk performance and impressively quiet EV operation, though hill hold control doesn't work brilliantly with the electric motor. Both SUVs favour relaxed cruising over spirited driving, with the Tucson offering slightly better refinement overall.
Technology and Equipment
Pre-facelift Tucsons feature two 10.25-inch screens - one for instruments and another for infotainment - with a lag-free and fairly intuitive central touchscreen, though the touch-sensitive shortcut buttons and heating controls can be tricky to operate whilst driving. The post-facelift models from mid-2024 onwards represent a significant step forward, with two 12.3-inch screens mounted in an elegant curved binnacle that's rated as one of the best systems on the market. Even entry-level Tucsons come well-equipped with leather-wrapped steering wheel, DAB, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satnav, dual-zone climate control and cruise control.
The Tiguan takes a more minimalist approach with a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and 12.9-inch central touchscreen as standard (with a 15.0-inch upgrade available), featuring sharp graphics and slick transitions. However, this minimalist design philosophy means almost all functions are operated through the touchscreen, including items like fan speed that really should have physical controls. The system is unnecessarily complicated at times with endless menus and submenus, though you will adapt to this with time. Standard equipment across the Tiguan range includes eight speakers, DAB, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, whilst navigation, wireless smartphone charging and voice control added from Life trim upwards. Whilst the Tiguan's interior quality feels like a cut above many rivals, the Tucson offers more intuitive operation, particularly in post-facelift form.
Running Costs
The running costs comparison reveals some interesting contrasts between the two models' approaches to efficiency. The Tucson's non-hybrid model manages 41.5mpg with 151g/km CO2 emissions, whilst the mild-hybrid versions achieve 43.5mpg (148bhp front-wheel drive) and 39.8mpg (178bhp four-wheel drive). The plug-in hybrid delivers impressive claimed efficiency of over 200mpg, though real-world figures will depend heavily on usage patterns. The Tiguan's mild-hybrid petrol engines post official figures of 46.3mpg (128bhp) and 45.6mpg (148bhp), whilst the diesel option achieves 52.3mpg for high-mileage users. The Tiguan's plug-in hybrids claim extraordinary official figures of 706.2mpg (201bhp) and 565mpg (268bhp), though these laboratory test results are unrealistically flattering to plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Insurance costs favour the Tucson, with the Tiguan starting at group 18 for the entry-level model, rising to groups 21-23 for other variants, and groups 27-31 for plug-in hybrids. The Tucson's insurance groupings aren't specified but are likely to be competitive given Hyundai's value positioning. Both models offer annual servicing or 10,000-mile intervals, with the Tucson providing pre-paid service plans and the Tiguan requiring careful consideration of the £40,000 luxury car surcharge threshold that some higher-spec versions exceed. For most buyers, the Tiguan's mild-hybrid petrol engines offer slightly better official fuel economy, whilst the Tucson provides more straightforward pricing and potentially lower insurance costs.
Verdict
Both the Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan represent compelling choices in the competitive family SUV market, each with distinct strengths that will appeal to different buyers. The Tucson impresses with its distinctive styling, generous standard equipment, and excellent value proposition, particularly following the mid-2024 facelift that introduced one of the best infotainment systems in the class. Its 620-litre boot in non-hybrid form is huge, and the comprehensive hybrid powertrain range offers something for most needs, with the plug-in variant providing around 40 miles of electric range.
The Tiguan counters with superior interior quality that feels more upmarket, an even larger 652-litre boot, and plug-in hybrid variants offering impressive 60-70 miles of electric range. However, it's notably more expensive, the touchscreen system can be frustratingly complicated, and the ride quality on larger wheels could be more cosseting. For buyers prioritising value, equipment levels, and user-friendly technology, the Tucson has a slight edge. Those seeking a more premium feel, maximum boot space, and longer electric range should consider the Tiguan, provided they can accept the higher purchase price and more complex infotainment system.