What To Know
- While the Tucson is a compact SUV known for its practicality and affordability, the Enclave is a midsize SUV that offers a spacious interior and a luxurious driving experience.
- The Buick Enclave, on the other hand, returns an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive.
- The Hyundai Tucson has a starting price of $26,190 for the base SE trim, while the Buick Enclave starts at $44,995 for the base Essence trim.
In the competitive world of SUVs, the Hyundai Tucson and Buick Enclave stand out as two compelling options. While the Tucson is a compact SUV known for its practicality and affordability, the Enclave is a midsize SUV that offers a spacious interior and a luxurious driving experience. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll delve into the key differences between these two vehicles, helping you make an informed decision based on your specific needs and preferences.
Performance and Efficiency: Powertrains and Fuel Economy
Under the hood, the Hyundai Tucson offers a choice of two engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, and a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder generating 232 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Buick Enclave, on the other hand, comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that delivers 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both vehicles are available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
In terms of fuel economy, the Hyundai Tucson holds an edge over the Buick Enclave. The Tucson with the 2.5-liter engine achieves an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. With all-wheel drive, those figures drop slightly to 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The Buick Enclave, on the other hand, returns an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. Opting for all-wheel drive further reduces those numbers to 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
Interior and Cargo Space: Roominess and Comfort
The Hyundai Tucson offers a comfortable and well-equipped interior for its class. It boasts a user-friendly infotainment system, supportive seats, and ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. However, cargo space is somewhat limited, with 38.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
The Buick Enclave, being a larger vehicle, provides a more spacious interior with seating for up to seven passengers. It features high-quality materials, a quiet cabin, and plenty of legroom and headroom in all three rows. Cargo capacity is also impressive, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and a cavernous 97.6 cubic feet with both rows folded down.
Safety Features: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Both the Hyundai Tucson and Buick Enclave come standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control. However, the Enclave offers a few more advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, such as blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning. Additionally, the Enclave can be equipped with adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and a head-up display.
Price and Value: Budget-Friendly vs Luxury
The Hyundai Tucson has a starting price of $26,190 for the base SE trim, while the Buick Enclave starts at $44,995 for the base Essence trim. As you move up the trim levels, the price difference widens, with the top-of-the-line Tucson Limited coming in at $35,200 and the top-of-the-line Enclave Avenir reaching $60,395.
In terms of value, the Hyundai Tucson offers more bang for your buck with its lower starting price and a generous list of standard features. However, the Buick Enclave provides a more luxurious experience, a more spacious interior, and a longer list of available ADAS features.
Summary: Choosing the Right SUV for Your Needs
Ultimately, the choice between the Hyundai Tucson and Buick Enclave depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget. If you prioritize practicality, fuel efficiency, and affordability, the Tucson is an excellent option. However, if you desire a more spacious interior, a luxurious driving experience, and a comprehensive suite of safety features, the Enclave is worth considering. Both vehicles offer their own unique strengths, so it’s essential to carefully evaluate your priorities and test drive both SUVs before making a decision.
Frequently Discussed Topics
1. Q: Which SUV has better fuel economy, the Hyundai Tucson or the Buick Enclave?
A: The Hyundai Tucson has better fuel economy than the Buick Enclave. The Tucson achieves up to 33 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive, while the Enclave returns a maximum of 26 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive.
2. Q: Does the Hyundai Tucson have more cargo space than the Buick Enclave?
A: No, the Buick Enclave has more cargo space than the Hyundai Tucson. The Enclave offers 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 58.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 97.6 cubic feet with both rows folded down. The Tucson, on the other hand, has 38.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 74.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
3. Q: Which SUV is more affordable, the Hyundai Tucson or the Buick Enclave?
A: The Hyundai Tucson is more affordable than the Buick Enclave. The Tucson has a starting price of $26,190, while the Enclave starts at $44,995.