2019 Hyundai Tucson vs Jeep Compass

What's the difference?

Does the facelifted 2019 Hyundai Tucson change the game for the mid-size SUV segment? Not really.  But it does improve an already well-rounded package.

The availability of the SmartSense safety pack on lower grades is welcome, even if some competitors offer some of the kit as standard. Even so, it'd be hard to go past the value on offer in an Active X 2.0-litre FWD model with the safety pack, which is our pick of the range - even if at least some of the safety stuff should really be standard. 

The rebooted Compass Limited is the best proof so far of how far Jeep as come in terms of design and value, but the asking price is still harsh when you consider active safety items remain on the options list and what is offered by competitors.

Regardless, thanks to its overtly 'Jeep' style, posh cabin and off-road capability, it remains a unique choice in a crowded SUV marketplace.

The exterior design of the updated Tucson is largely unchanged - the metalwork hasn't been altered, but there are new graphic differentiators if you take a look at the lights at either end of the SUV.

Hyundai's new cascading grille design dominates the front end, and while the shape of the headlights hasn't changed, the inlays have, and along with the new bumper there are more angular LED daytime running lights. You can tell the higher-grade versions by the horizontal slatted chrome grille, while entry models have a black honeycomb look with a silver frame.

Sadly, you can only get LED headlights on the top spec, but the appearance on lower grade models which run halogen projector lamps is really dumbed down by the mix of crisp white angular lights and a round, yellowy bulb in the middle.

The tail-lights are slightly different looking - again, with a different inlay, and again with LED only fitted to the top spec. The reflectors have moved up a bit, mirroring the i30's Euro-look back end.

As you may expect, there's no difference to the dimensions - it's the same size from nose to tail at 4480mm long, 1850mm wide and up to 1660mm tall (with roof rails).

No matter which model you get, there's not a sporty edge to the Tucson - you can forget about a body kit or rear diffuser, but there is a tailgate spoiler. A set of side steps could be fitted, but may be unnecessary, because the Tucson doesn't sit up that high. 

You guessed it, the interior dimensions are unchanged, too. But as the interior images show, there are now different options when it comes to the colour of the leather you can get. You can choose the lighter leather as part of a 'Luxury Pack'.

What you’ll notice immediately about the new Compass is how much it carries that distinct Jeep style. 

Everything is there from the seven-slot grille, to the soft-but-definitely-square angles, to the 'Murica-style 18-inch alloy wheels. The whole package genuinely channels the best parts of the Grand Cherokee, just… shrunken down a full size and a half. It even has matching miniaturized light fixtures in the front.

Our car’s two-tone colour scheme of 'Vocal White' with a black roof looks the business and suits this car to a tee, although at $595 for the premium paint plus $495 for the contrast roof, it adds a sizable bit of hurt to the final bill.

The rear three quarter is not this SUV’s most flattering angle, but I would still argue it looks more resolved than the Cherokee which sits above it and less zany than the Renegade below.

Inside, things are good, too. There are soft-touch materials pretty much everywhere and the dash has a classy sculpted look.

The American-style of the Compass rears its head here with the chunky, leatherbound steering wheel and big bolded fonts strewn about the switchgear. Gloss plastics are mostly tastefully applied throughout, and the matt silver highlights are far better than chrome finish.

My mind wanders to the previous Compass and indeed, generations of Jeep models before which had cabins comprised of unappealing right angles, sub-par leather trim, and truly awful grey plastics.

I’d argue the rebooted Compass – being one of the most recent additions to Jeep’s line-up – has the best cabin the brand offers. It’s more modern and elegantly executed than the Cherokee, while deploying fewer nasty finishes than the smaller Renegade. 

There are some not-so-good parts. The transmission tunnel could do with a little extra padding for the driver’s left leg, the seats are far less comfortable than they appear, and the thick C-pillars combined with the small rear window for a noticeable blind-spot.

The changes inside include a dashboard layout that mirrors the Santa Fe and Kona, and looks a damn sight more modern than the existing set-up.

It comprises a new tablet-style media screen, which is a 7.0-inch unit in the base model and this 8.0-inch screen in the rest of the range. The bigger screen adds digital radio and sat nav, but all models come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Some people might like the screen being up on top of the dash, so it's in your line of sight and easier to touch-control when you're driving. Others will prefer where it used to be, down where the air-vents are now.

The controls are all well placed, the seats are comfortable and offer good adjustment, and the storage is well sorted, too - there are cupholders between the front and rear seats, bottle holders in all four doors, and loose item cubbies here and there, too, plus a wireless phone charger in the high-spec model. 

There are two interior colour options on the Active X, Elite and Highlander leather-clad models, and it's tidy… but does it feel as special as a Mazda CX-5? Not quite.

The back seat is very roomy, considering the external dimensions of the Tucson aren't as big as many of its competitors. With the driver's seat set in my position (I'm 182cm tall) and myself positioned behind it, I easily have enough rear legroom to be comfortable, enough toe room to stop them from going numb, and a lot of headroom, too - even in the high-spec Highlander with the lovely panoramic glass roof.

You should be able to fit three across the back without too much hassle, and there are dual ISOFIX positions and three top-tether points. Rear air-vents are only fitted to the top two specs, which is annoying, and the top three models get a rear USB charger, but the base model misses out.

The boot space dimensions on offer in the Tucson are good - bigger than a Nissan Qashqai and Mazda CX-5, but not quite as big as an X-Trail or Honda CR-V. The luggage capacity is 488 litres with the seats up, and the storage space expands to 1478L with them folded down flat.

Every model has a full-size matching spare wheel under the boot floor and cargo liner (and you get a retractable cover to keep prying eyes away from your boot cargo), and the top-spec gets an electric boot lid. If you're a sales rep or have dogs, you might want to consider a barrier, which you can fit behind the rear seat. 

If that's not enough size, every model comes with roof rails, so fitting a roof rack system won't be too much of a problem.

Being a not-quite-small SUV the Compass provides decent space for front and rear seat passengers alike. Headroom is a tad tight, making me wonder how much worse it could get with the panoramic sunroof option ($1950) but front passenger space is otherwise great. 

The seats are leather bound, but perhaps through lack of padding, side bolstering or some other design flaw, they simply weren’t as comfortable as the average-looking ones from my previous test car, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.

One thing of particular note in the Compass is its plethora of storage areas. There are big cupholders in the doors and centre console, an armrest storage box, a decent sized glove box, netting on the inside of the transmission tunnel on the passenger’s side and, my favourite feature, a hidden compartment under the passenger’s seat. It is small, but perfect for securing small objects that you don’t want loose around the cabin.

Rear passengers are treated to the same good-looking but average comfort seats, two air vents in the back of the centre console (big win) and impressively a fully-sized 240-volt power outlet alongside a USB port.

Legroom back there is decent, I had plenty of room behind my (182cm) driving position, while headroom is still questionable for taller specimens.

The boot comes in at a rather generous 438 litres, It’s one of the largest in the class, slightly bigger than the Nissan Qashqai and Eclipse Cross. Although, the Eclipse Cross can best it with its variable second-row seating boosting its available space to 448L.

Due to the boot’s design, the solid cargo cover is a nightmare. Even with IKEA-style instructions stickered to it, it took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to pry it out of its position.

Max capacity with the seats down isn’t stated but shouldn’t present an issue. Space is hampered slightly by the audio system’s base taking up a corner portion behind the right-hand wheelarch.

The Compass Limited has a space-saver spare under the boot floor. Unfortunate for a vehicle with off-road capabilities.

Diesel all-wheel drive Compass variants are capable of towing 1500kg with a braked trailer or 450kg unbraked.

The Compass Limited 4x4 diesel is second only to the top-spec Trailhawk and is priced at $43,750. As it is not really a small SUV, and closer to a size up, its main competitors also fall in this small-to-medium bracket.

They include the $37,990 Nissan Qashqai Ti and the $38,500 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Exceed AWD.

With its exterior looks it is hard not to draw comparison to the equally stylish and off-road focused Land Rover Discovery Sport, although the Land Rover is a bit larger and the cheapest way to get into one is almost $13k more expensive (TD4 SE - $56,595).

You’ll notice then, the Compass Limited is a fair bit more expensive than contemporary Japanese rivals, yet significantly cheaper than truly upmarket alternatives. Price-wise you can easily go a size up into something like the Kia Sportage (GT-Line diesel - $47,690) but doing so puts you into a larger vehicle, potentially less appealing for some.

The Compass partially justifies its hefty price-point with some good equipment. Included on the Limited are 18-inch alloy wheels, an 8.4-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio and built-in nav, leather-appointed interior trim, power front driver and passenger seats, bi-xenon (better than halogen, worse than LED) headlights, a nine-speaker Beats-branded audio system, front and rear parking sensors and reversing camera, keyless start, heated wing-mirrors and an auto-dimming rear vision mirror.

Not bad. The 8.4-inch multimedia touchscreen is particularly impressive in its layout and functionality and say what you will about the Beats brand – the nine-speaker audio system proved to be the business.

Sadly, the full suite of active safety items is available, but form part of the $2450 'Advanced Technology Group pack' which also includes a power tailgate and auto-high beam. Our car was not fitted with it. More on those features (or lack thereof) in the safety part of this review.

The range is pretty complex in terms of drivetrains, engine specs and ratings, but let's go through each motor in detail.

The entry-level engine is the 2.0-litre four-cylinder non-turbo petrol model, which Hyundai calls the 2.0 GDi (gasoline direct injection). It produces 122kW of power at 6200rpm and 205Nm of torque at 4000rpm, and is available with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission. It comes in FWD (4x2) only. This drivetrain has seen some tweaks for better refinement, but the changes aren't groundbreaking.

The next engine up is actually smaller in engine size, but features a turbocharger to up the horsepower - it's the 1.6 T-GDi, and it has 130kW of power (at 5500rpm) and 265Nm of torque (1500-4500rpm). It only comes with a dual-clutch automatic and AWD (the system is an on-demand unit, as opposed to a proper permanent 4WD set-up with low-range). This drivetrain is unchanged compared to the pre-facelift version.

The diesel engine on offer is the 2.0 CRDi turbo four-cylinder unit, which has 136kW (at 4000rpm) and 400Nm (1750-2750rpm). It used to be available with a six-speed auto, but now has an eight-speed automatic.

The fuel consumption of this model has dropped - more on that in the next section. The engine is Euro 5 compliant, meaning there is no AdBlue, but there is a diesel particulate filter.

So there are two petrols and a diesel, but we don't get any LPG, plug-in hybrid or EV versions of the Tucson.

No models on launch had a towbar fitted, so there's no part of this review that touches on that element of load capacity - but every model has the same towing capacity of 750kg with an un-braked trailer and 1600kg for a braked trailer. However, the towball down-weight limit differs for the front-wheel drive (120kg) and AWD models (140kg).

Gross vehicle weight, or GVM, varies depending on the model, with the base FWD Active listed at 2070kg (with a minimum kerb weight of 1497kg) and the top-spec diesel AWD Highlander listed at 2280kg (min. kerb weight: 1707kg).

Be sure to check out our Hyundai Tucson problems page for any mention of diesel problems, automatic gearbox problems, engine, clutch, battery, suspension, cruise control or transmission issues. 

There is a choice of two engines in the Compass range, a 2.4-litre 'Tigershark' turbo-petrol, or the 2.0-litre 'MultiJet II' turbo-diesel engine.

Our car was fitted with the latter. It produces 125kW/350Nm which stands up pretty well against its thin list of rivals. 

Limited and Trailhawk variants have their engines mated to a nine-speed torque converter automatic and are '4x4' via Jeep’s 'Active Drive' all-wheel drive system.

The system disconnects the rear axle when it is not in use for fuel economy but is capable of sending 100 per cent of drive to any wheel if need be. It has four off-road modes plus the ability to permanently engage the 4x4 system. A significant addition.

The Hyundai Tucson isn't the most efficient SUV you can buy, but nor is it the thirstiest - and the numbers are largely unchanged as part of this update.

Fuel economy is rated at 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres (or 12.8 kilometres per litre, if that's how you prefer it) for the petrol 2.0-litre manual FWD, while the 2.0-litre auto FWD claims 7.9L/100km (12.6km/L).

The turbocharged petrol 1.6-litre DCT AWD model has claimed consumption of 7.7L/100km (13.0km/L)

Diesel fuel consumption is improved thanks to the eight-speed auto, now rated at 6.4L/100km (15.6km/L), where it was previously 6.8L/100km (14.7km/L) for the Highlander.

All models have fuel tank capacity of 62 litres - a good size to ensure decent mileage for long-distance driving, especially if you stick to ‘Eco mode'.

Over almost two weeks of testing including a 300km round trip to Wollombi from Sydney I landed on a fuel figure of 8.0L/100km against the official combined figure of 5.7L/100km.

 A miss for sure, but about an average real-world figure for most SUVs in this segment.

You can fill the Compass with 60-litres of diesel. There's also a stop-start system which was not too intrusive, but unlike most other systems on the market you don't have to turn it off every time you switch the car on.

There was a mix of models on offer at the launch. I drove the diesel Elite, the FWD versions of the Go and Active X, and the turbo-petrol Highlander. So I came away with a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each drivetrain - though it must be said there are no real deal breakers, here.

Let's start off with the 2.0-litre petrol drivetrain, which will account for the vast majority of Tucson sales, and has been tweaked in this iteration with peak torque coming in a little sooner. That means you don't quite need to rev it as hard to get the best out of it, but it still likes a rev.

This time around, though, the refinement has been improved, with less raucousness to it as you build revs. And while it isn't fast, it doesn't struggle to keep moving, and is more than suitable for the vast majority of peoples' needs.

If you choose the Sport drive mode the transmission seems to behave itself a bit better than it does in Eco or Comfort, holding gears a little longer - but on the steep, twisty mountain roads we were on, I chose the select gears manually (though there are no paddle shifters on any model).

There are no drive modes on the Go model, so you can't quite get the same result. It's a slightly more tedious drive experience, but only if you're attacking hilly roads. On the highway and around town, you'll find little to whine about.

What's most impressive about the Tucson is its Mazda CX-5-beating drive experience: there's a great level of connection for the driver, with the steering offering natural and rewarding response (best in the lower-grade models), and the suspension dealing with lumps and bumps extremely well. 

I also drove the Highlander with the 1.6T engine and DCT. There are some vehicles with these sorts of gearboxes that are more renowned for their automatic transmission problems than anything else, and you may have read some issues with Hyundai's ‘box, too. But from a test drive perspective, there's not a lot to complain about.

My steer was pretty much problem-free, though there is a chance you might find the low-speed manoeuvrability compromised, as the combo of the turbo engine and DCT can be a little laggy in terms of throttle response. 

I noted that the Highlander, with its bigger wheels and low-profile tyres (245/45/19) felt a little heavier on centre when turning, and there was a bit of road noise to contend with, too. The ride, though, was nicely sorted.

What about the diesel? Well, if you can justify the expense, you will be getting the best drivetrain of the lot in the Tucson range. 

It revs smoothly once the engine is warm, and is barely perceptible at highway pace. The new eight-speed auto shifts smoothly, and its hard to catch it in the wrong gear, with the torque of the engine easily allowing you to power out in higher gears without raising a sweat.

Now, if you're into stats and facts, here are some numbers for you: 172 = ground clearance mm; 11 turning radius metres; 2.51 = turns lock-to-lock (down from 2.71).

What about performance figures? Well, Hyundai doesn't offer up any claims for 0-100km/h acceleration or top speed, but it's fair to suggest either of the turbocharged drivetrains in Sport mode will reward the more enthusiastic driver more than the 2.0-litre will.

The roads we drove weren't exactly fit for an off road review, and these sorts of SUVs typically aren't the best candidates for a lift kit or all terrain tyres. But the damp gravel roads we found ourselves driving on were littered with pockmarks and potholes, and the Australian tuning team seems to have done a terrific job.

The ride compliance is largely very good, with the front suspension only occasionally jolting hard into sharper edges (especially in models riding on the larger alloys wheels), but the rear suspension was very well judged.

And if you want to push it hard in corners, you'll be surprised by how much each of these models will morph into a high-riding rally car - the Aussie engineers have done a terrific job of blending suspension control, compliance and comfort with accurate steering, and the end result is a rewarding drive, even in the entry-level models.

The Compass makes for a reasonably comfortable, but surprisingly quiet and refined drive.

The diesel engine is so quiet and distant, it is actually difficult to tell it apart from its petrol equivalent behind the wheel. Road noise, too, is well filtered out giving the excellent audio system exclusive domain over passenger’s eardrums.

Although the seat could have been more comfortable, the suspension is excellent. 

The Compass has struts all around and Jeep has paid special attention to the shock absorbers, with the car featuring a 'frequency selective damping system'.

It truly works. The Compass feels good in the corners and absorbs bumps without shudders making their way into the cabin. I wouldn’t describe the feel as ‘stiff’, it’s more of a comfort tune.

While the engine has suitable amounts of power, it requires a solid prod of the accelerator to extract it. There’s something about the throttle response which feels reluctant.

After some driving, I put this down to the transmission. It feels as though it lingers for too long in the first three or so gears. While this is great down hills (and, I imagine, off-road) it’s frustrating in traffic where the Compass will suddenly start engine braking the moment you let your foot of the accelerator. It makes for an unnecessarily jerky drive experience in low-speed situations.

Out on the open road though, the Compass behaves well and is a pleasure to helm. The steering is linear and responsive, and the cruise control system does a fantastic job of sticking to its prescribed speed. 

The Compass comes fitted with the standard suite of stability controls, structural bracing and airbags which granted it a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating in December 2017.

Sadly, though, active safety items, including auto emergency braking (AEB - necessary for a max score ANCAP test since 2018) are relegated to the options list. 

The optional Advanced Technology Group pack comes in at $2450 and adds auto emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning (LDW), blind-spot monitoring (BSM), rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with 'stop & go' and auto high beams.

It’s a shame not even AEB is standard, as the Eclipse Cross and Nissan Qashqai get this all-important feature at a much lower price.

Our test car was not fitted with the pack. The Compass also features ISOFIX child seat mounting points on the two outside rear seats.

Hyundai's strong reputation for ownership has helped make the company one of the country's best-selling brands.

Admittedly, the five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty isn't the standard-setter it once was, with a few other brands like Ford, Holden, Mazda and Skoda moving to a similar plan. 

But not many can match Hyundai's service cost plan - it has a capped price servicing program that runs for the life of the car, which undoubtedly helps with resale value (so does making sure you get genuine dealership stamps in your owners manual/logbook - and that should also help you with wriggle room if you encounter problems or run into common faults, complains or issues).  

Maintenance requirements are determined by the drivetrain - if you choose the petrol turbo you're in for maintenance every 12 months or 10,000km, while the non-turbo petrol and the turbo-diesel require servicing every 12 months or 15,000km.

There's some variance across the pricing for the first five years of maintenance. For the 2.0-litre petrol, the average cost is $301 over 60 months/75,000km; the 1.6-litre turbo petrol works out at $317 per visit (for 60 months/50,000km); and the diesel averages $486 per visit over 60 months/75,000km.

You can do your own research into reliability ratings, but Hyundai takes care of its customers - if you service your vehicle with them, they'll give you up to 10 years' roadside assist for free, and you'll get the same duration for map updates, too, if you need them.

Jeep covers the Compass with a five-year/100,000km warranty. That’s about the same length as major competitors, although most offer unlimited kilometres on top.

Servicing is required once a year or 20,000km, whichever comes first. It costs $425 and $850 every second year, averaging out to an expensive $595 yearly average over the life of the five-year warranty.