A Comparison – Toyota Corolla Cross Non-hybrid vs. Hyundai Tucson

In our previous blog, we started the comparison series of the Toyota Corolla Cross non-hybrid with its different competitors. In this second follow-up, we’re going to compare the Toyota Corolla Cross with the Hyundai Tucson. Both cars are in the same league, same segment crossover.  The cars fall in the C-segment crossover category with almost 800k PKR difference in their top variants. Here are their pricing details:

• Hyundai Tucson: Rs. 8 million 

• Toyota Corolla Cross: Rs. 8.8 million 

This is the pricing for their top-of-the-line variants, i.e., Tucson GLS Sport and Corolla Cross 1.8 X. Let’s start our Toyota Corolla Cross vs. Hyundai Tucson. Also, read our previous blog, A Comparison – Toyota Corolla Cross Non-Hybrid Vs. Kia Sportage

Note: We’ll compare both model’s top-of-the-line variants.

Toyota Corolla Cross & Hyundai Tucson – History

Nishat Motors introduced the Hyundai Tucson in late 2020 as a strong competitor of the Kia Sportage in Pakistan’s crossover market. However, with the passage of time, several car brands introduced their crossovers, and the competition increased. The car did get successful, but it couldn’t beat the Sportage’s demand and resale.

The history of the Corolla Cross started in 2021 when Toyota Indus Motors introduced their first-ever hybrid crossover in the Pakistani market, the Corolla Cross. However, in 2022, inflation soared to new heights, and import duties increased by 150%. Therefore, IMC started the CKD production of Cross in December 2023.

After a few months, in March 2024, IMC introduced the non-hybrid variant of the Corolla Cross.

Interior

Both cars offer smart entry and considerable leg and headroom. On the technical side, the Tucson offers a more spacious interior than the Cross, but this is rarely noticeable in the practical world. 

Hyundai offers electric seat adjustment on both the driver and passenger sides, whereas Cross offers electric seat adjustment only on the driver side. But there’s another twist: Cross comes with all leather seats, while Tucson is limited to fabric seats. We know that according to Pakistan’s climate, fabric seats are more practical, but leather seats are considered premium. 

Another notable difference is the rain sensor and blind spot monitor in the Cross that the Tucson side lacks.

The cross features a Terra Rosa leather interior, while the other model is a beige and matte black combination. Honestly, aesthetics-wise, it’s a personal opinion that depends on person to person.  Tucson’s interior is more sleek, sophisticated, and iconic. On the other hand, the Corolla Cross’s interior is more in line with the modern, new-generation philosophy of sleek AC grills with minimal physical buttons. 

Both cars offer steering controls, climate control, push start, cruise control, rear camera, telescopic steering, and infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The only big difference is the lack of a sunroof in the Corolla Cross non-hybrid that does come in the Tucson.

Exterior

The Tucson grille uses chrome to distinguish it from the body, while the Cross uses a black piano mesh grille. On the bumper side, Tucson features elegant lamps with DRLs embedded in them, while the Corolla Cross doesn’t have anything like that. 

On the headlight side, both cars offer projector lamps, but Tucson offers Penta-LED projectors with LED DRLs and indicators. Overall, the styling and cuts of the Tucson’s headlights give it a more aggressive look than the Cross. 

On the side, you get 18-inch alloys on the Tucson and 17-inch alloys on the Corolla Cross, with character lines on both cars. Similar to the grille, Tucson uses chrome-colored door handles, while Cross comes with body-colored door handles. 

Engine and Performance

Here’s the engine comparison of both cars:

Specs	Hyundai Tucson	Toyota Corolla Cross non-hybrid
Displacement	1999 cc	1798 cc
Horse Power	155 HP @ 6200 RPM	103 HP @ 6400 RPM
Torque	196 Nm @ 4000 RPM	172 Nm @ 4000 RPM
Compression Ratio	10.6:1	13:1
Fuel System	MPI	Direct Injection

 

Safety Features

Both models have an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) + Emergency Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) + Brake Assist (BA), Emergency Brake Signal, Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), immobilizer, ISOFIX Child Support Anchor, and Occupant Seat Sensor.

However, here it turns the game. The Hyundai Tucson only offers 2 airbags with hill-assist, while the Corolla Cross offers 7 airbags but no hill-assist. Dimensions

Here are the detailed technical dimensions of both cars:

Specs	Hyundai Tucson	Toyota Corolla Cross non-hybrid
Overall Length	4480 mm	4460 mm
Overall Width	1850 mm	1825 mm
Overall Height	1660 mm	1620 mm
Wheel Base	2670 mm	2640 mm
Ground Clearance	172 mm	161 mm
Kerb Weight	1500 KG	1395 KG
Boot Space	513 L	436 L

 

What is your take on this comparison? Which crossover SUV will you choose? Please tell us in the comments section.