US News says Hyundai is ahead of Toyota and Mazda thanks to a stout selection of ICE and BEV crossovers and SUV models. Here's why.
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Hyundai is working hard on shedding the image of a budget car manufacturer, which has resulted in some very interesting models. If the brand's technological advancements aren't making it obvious, perhaps the introduction of the Genesis luxury brand is. While Hyundai is still getting heat for rattling interiors, most models do well in terms of reliability. Moreover, even base trims of Hyundai models are packed with tech, which is usually optional for many competitors.
It was recently brought to my attention that a reputable publication named Hyundai the best SUV brand for 2025. Toyota and Mazda also offer a stout selection of SUV and crossover models, so I was curious how Hyundai managed that. Toyota is currently reviving old 4WD nameplates like the 4Runner and various sources and trademarks made by Toyota indicate that the Toyota FJ Cruiser is being revived and the Toyota Stout pickup truck will also make a comeback within the next two to three years.
Meanwhile, Mazda's Skyactiv engines already cover Euro 7 even before the eco-standard has kicked in effect while some variants boast fuel economy similar to a four-cylinder turbodiesel. Most Mazda SUV models now feature a hybrid powertrain, but the new Mazda inline-six engine is a real treat for me. Mazda CEO says the same engine might power a rear-wheel-drive Mazda 6, but to make it happen, Mazda says, we have to buy the company's sedan offerings. With that out of the way, let's see how Hyundai managed to secure a title as the best SUV brand for 2025.
Hyundai Tucson and Kona take the fight to Toyota's compact crossover and SUV models
Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV I, actually, considered buying. I like the design of it, although some might disagree. What really matters is that Tucson offers a well-rounded package that surpasses the RAV4 in some of the important categories. For 2025 both SUVs will carry on without extensive changes. Here's what the Hyundai Tucson does better than Toyota's RAV4 :
Price: Tucson has a slight price advantage although it becomes negligible in the higher trims. The base-model Tucson and RAV4 cost $27,500 and $28,675 while the range-topping variants will set you back $36,760 (Tucson) and $36,980 (RAV4).
Reliability: Probably the biggest surprise. Hyundai Tucson scores slightly higher than the Toyota RAV4 in terms of reliability: 80/100 vs 76/100, according to J.D. Power. I decided to delve even further and hit the consumer reviews on Cars.com and other platforms. I found that the reliability score is nearly identical, with Cars.com consumer reviews giving slight advantage to the RAV4 – 4.7/ 5 vs 4.6/ 5 for the Tucson in terms of reliability.
The interesting part is that the Tucson has the RAV4 on all other fronts. Moreover, according to Cars.com 80 percent of customers would recommend the Hyundai Tucson, whereas only 66 percent of owners would recommend the RAV4. The 2025 Hyundai Tucson has a recall due to missing airbag safety labels on the glovebox.
Seats: Having spent time in both models I can confirm that the Hyundai Tucson seats are slightly better than the RAV4's. The Tucson's seats offer better side bolsters and are, overall, slightly more comfortable and deeper, making them better suited for longer drives. Both SUVs offer seating for five and ample storage space.
Cargo space: The Tucson offers 38.7 to 74.8 cubic feet of cargo space vs the RAV4's 37.6 to 69.8 cubic feet.
Interior quality: Lately, there have been some concerns regarding Toyota's build quality and the choice of materials used. I have spent a good amount of time scrolling through Reddit threats, dedicated to Toyota's build quality in its more recent models. While the RAV4 offers more features, the Tucson comes back with a slightly more premium feel inside the cabin, The design and material choices are closer to a premium model than what I find in the RAV4.
Ride and handling: Having spent a limited amount of time behind the wheel of both SUVs, I can say that the RAV4 is better suited for off-road. In fact, there are a few reasons why the TRD Off-road would be my choice of RAV4 trim. However, the Tucson feels more hunkered down and gives the driver more confidence thanks to a more supple ride and crisper handling. The vast majority of these SUVs will not see anything remote to a serious off-road so this one goes to the Tucson.
The RAV4 does offer better acceleration. Looking at the base models, the RAV4 can sprint to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds while the Tucson needs an extra second for the same discipline. Both models come standard with a 2.5-liter, normally-aspirated engine and no hybrid tech. The next-gen Toyota RAV4 will be hybrid-only and given what Hyundai has done with the Santa Fe, I expect the revised Tucson will go the same route.
Fuel economy is slightly better on the RAV4 – 27 MPG city, 35 MPG highway (EPA estimate). The EPA estimates are 25 MPG city and 32 MPG highway for the Tucson.
I accidentally made most of the article about the Toyota RAV4 versus Hyundai Tucson as I have the most experience with them, but Hyundai has other aces up its sleeve.
The Hyundai Kona Electric and IONIQ 5 are a breath of fresh air.
The IONIQ 5 is and IONIQ 6 pack revolutionary tech and design while being one of the most reliable EVs you can buy. The IONIQ 5 N (and IONIQ 6 N) come with a maximum output of 601 horsepower, which is enough to embarrass some exotic cars on the drag strip.
IONIQ 5 N is also the first production EV to feature a "manual transmission”. Currently, some of the best bang for the buck EVs come from Hyundai and Kia. Just recently, Edmund's nominated the best EV SUVs, and the top-three podium is occupied by Hyundai and Kia models.
On the more affordable spectrum of things, we have the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric, which comes as the perfect substitute for the soon-to-be-retired Nissan Leaf. At $32,875 starting MSRP, the Kona Electric is roughly $8,000 more expensive than the base ICE variant.
The unassuming gem of Hyundai's SUV lineup
Call me old-fashioned, but if it's going to be an SUV, it might as well big a full-size luxury SUV. Luckily, Hyundai's lineup includes the Palisade for those not fond of the J250 Toyota Land Cruiser's hybrid tech. Unlike the LC J250, the Palisade firmly steps into luxury territory with premium interior materials and cozy seats. It can also seat up to seven people or six if you get the captain's chairs on the second row, instead of the traditional full seat.
Unlike the Toyota Land Cruiser and its technological (almost) twin, the Lexus GX, the Palisade does not ride on a body-on-frame chassis, but on a unibody construction, making it better-suited for on-road use.
My favorite part is the 3.8-liter, normally-aspirated V-6 engine, which is proven tech from the Hyundai Genesis and Genesis Coupe models. The chain-driven DOHC V-6 is relatively under-stressed and being the owner of a hard-driven Genesis Coupe, I can testify to its sheer will to not die.
Despite being down on power and torque compared to its hybrid and turbocharged rivals, the Palisade can sprint to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, when equipped with the optional all-wheel-drive system. Hyundai Palisade is also nearly $20,000 more affordable than the Land Cruiser J250, so the bang-for-buck ratio is hard to beat. The eight-speed automatic, which is also not a novelty in the Hyundai lineup, is smooth and reliable. In terms of the engine and drivetrain, the Hyundai Palisade is old-tech. In my book, that's a good thing.
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
Image sources: Palisade, KONA Electric, Tucson
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