Hyundai Tucson vs Nissan Qashqai

Posted by Charlotte

In the battle of desirable SUVs, the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Qashqai are two fierce competitors. Whether you’re after family-friendly comfort, fuel economy, or cutting-edge tech, both options bring something exciting to the table. But which one stands out as the winner? In this head-to-head comparison, we’ll explore performance, design, value for money or much more to see which one rules the road.

A Brief History

The Hyundai Tucson made its debut in 2004, entering the competitive compact SUV market with a focus on affordability, reliability, and practicality. It quickly became a favourite among families and over the years, it has undergone significant transformations. By the time the fourth generation arrived, it had evolved with options for hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, as well as a striking new design. It became one of the brand's most popular models worldwide, offering something for everyone, from tech enthusiasts to eco-conscious drivers.

Meanwhile, the Nissan Qashqai SUV debuted in 2006, created as a response to the growing demand for SUVs and crossover. Its success was instant, especially in Europe, where it became a best-seller. The second-gen model refined its formula, while the third-gen introduced hybrid tech and a sleeker design. Over the years, this car has built a reputation for its reliability, practicality, and fuel efficiency. This has cemented its place as one of Nissan’s top-selling vehicles.

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Design & Dimensions

When comparing the Qashqai vs Tucson, both are attractive in their own right, but they offer distinctly different design philosophies. This Nissan has a more understated, classic appeal with its smooth, well-balanced lines. It particularly appeals to those who prefer a more conservative style. The Hyundai, on the other hand, is a true head-turner. Its bold, futuristic design stands out with a striking front grille, which incorporates sleek headlights. With dynamic swooping lines along its body, some may find the design too bold, but many others love it.

In terms of size, the Hyundai Tucson is slightly larger than the Nissan Qashqai, providing a more spacious feel. This Hyundai SUV measures about 4,630 mm in length, 1,865 mm in width, and 1,665 mm in height, while the Nissan SUV is 4,425 mm long, 1,835 mm wide, and 1,625 mm high. This gives the Tucson extra length and width, creating a roomier interior.

Interior & Technology

The interior of the Hyundai Tucson SUV has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, elevating its appeal to a level that rivals more premium SUVs like the Audi Q3. Hyundai has enhanced the build quality, making the cabin feel refined and luxurious, with high-quality materials. The car’s 12.3” infotainment system stands out with an intuitive touchscreen that’s easier to use than before, offering seamless connectivity. It also features a wide range of technology, from Bluetooth connectivity to a built-in satellite navigation system. Additionally, the ability to integrate your smartphone with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ensures that you’re always connected. There’s also a 12.3” digital driver’s display offering a high-resolution interface showing essential driving information.

Similarly, the Nissan Qashqai has been updated to feel more modern, with its latest iteration offering a more refined and tech-rich interior. Although the Qashqai’s cabin leans toward a more conventional design, it still impresses with its high-tech features. The 12.3” touchscreen infotainment system features the latest NissanConnect technologies, ensuring an intuitive, connected driving experience with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. All models also come with a digital instrument cluster, though lower-spec versions feature a 7” display, while the bigger 12.3” display is reserved for the N-Connecta trim and higher. Overall, it remains a well-crafted space with improved comfort and functionality. Both the Tucson and Qashqai interiors bring plenty of modern technology and convenience, but the Tucson’s bold, premium appeal makes it stand out in this category.

Boot Space & Practicality

When it comes to boot space and practicality, both the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Qashqai offer ample storage, but there are key differences that could influence your choice. As the Tucson SUV is slightly longer, it takes the lead in boot capacity. With all five seats up, the Hyundai Tucson provides between 558 and 620 litres of boot space, depending on the variant. In comparison, the Nissan Qashqai SUV offers between 479 and 504 litres. Both are practical for everyday use, easily handling shopping bags, suitcases, or even a family’s gear for a weekend trip. However, if maximising boot capacity is your priority, the Tucson SUV stands out as the better option.

Beyond boot space, the Hyundai Tucson SUV also edges ahead in passenger comfort. Its rear seats offer more generous legroom, making long journeys more pleasant, especially for adult passengers. That said, the Nissan Qashqai’s second row still provides adequate comfort, ensuring passengers won’t feel cramped. Both models are strictly five-seaters, with no seven-seat option available.

Engine Options & Driving Experience

Both the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Qashqai offer a variety of powertrains to suit different driving needs, with a strong focus on efficiency, performance, and comfort. Firstly, the Qashqai has a 1.3-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine, available with either manual or automatic transmission. With a max. torque of 270Nm and 156bhp this Nissan SUV can achieve a 0-62mph time of 9.2 seconds. Alternatively, Nissan’s e-POWER system, a self-charging hybrid provides a smoother, quieter drive. The Qashqai e-POWER with automatic transmission has a max. torque of 330Nm and 190bhp.

The Hyundai Tucson SUV, on the other hand, comes with multiple engine options, including petrol, mild-hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants. It’s worth noting that the 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol engine is the core of the lineup. This Hyundai SUV delivers a smooth and refined drive, with light steering and comfortable suspension. Plus, the optional all-wheel-drive system provides extra grip for tougher conditions.

As for driving comfort, this Hyundai offers a smooth, composed drive with precise steering and a well-balanced suspension that absorbs bumps comfortably. Its engine options provide strong performance, particularly the hybrid models, while road noise remains minimal. In contrast, the Qashqai emphasises comfort over sportiness, delivering a softer ride with light steering that’s easy for urban driving. While its hybrid powertrain is efficient, it feels slightly less responsive compared to the Tucson. Neither model is available as a fully electric version though.

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Safety & Reliability

The Hyundai Tucson SUV boasts a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, reflecting its commitment to passenger protection. It scored particularly well for adult occupant protection (86%) and child occupant protection (87%). Hyundai equips this car with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies under the Hyundai SmartSense package. Feature such as the parking collision avoidance assist and parking sensors, make parking and reversing safer and easier.

Similarly, the Nissan Qashqai also earned a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, achieving 91% for adult occupant protection and 91% for child occupant protection, slightly edging out the Tucson in these categories. This car comes equipped with features such as rear cross traffic alert, parking sensors and intelligent forward collision warning, just to mention a few.

In terms of reliability, both Hyundai and Nissan have strong reputations. Hyundai offers an impressive 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, while Nissan provides a 3-year/60,000-mile warranty as standard. Owners generally report reliable performance and low maintenance costs for both models.

Price UK

When considering the UK pricing of the Tucson vs Qashqai, both models offer a range of trims to suit various budgets and preferences. The Tucson starts at £32,400 (RRP) for the base model with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine. As you move up the trim levels, additional features and technologies are introduced, which can increase the price accordingly.

The Nissan Qashqai SUV offers a starting price of £30,135 (RRP) for the 1.3 DiG-T MH Acenta Premium 5dr model. This entry-level variant includes a 1.3-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine and a comprehensive set of standard features. Higher trims, such as the N-Connecta, N-Design, and Tekna, come with additional amenities and advanced technologies, with prices increasing accordingly. In summary, the Nissan SUV generally has a lower starting price compared to the Hyundai SUV. However, the final choice should be based on individual preferences, desired features, and budget considerations.