2025 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
Comparison Overview
Deciding between rugged capability and electric efficiency often stumps crossover buyers. The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport starts sharply at an MSRP of $31,695, significantly undercutting the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid's $40,075 sticker price—a difference of $8,380. While the Tucson Hybrid boasts a punchier 268 hp compared to the Bronco Sport's 181 hp, the Ford maintains respectable efficiency with 27 MPG combined, though the Hyundai leads significantly with an estimated 35 MPG combined and a 32-mile electric range. The Bronco Sport is slightly taller at 70.2 inches, offering 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space versus the Tucson’s 31.9 cu ft. This comparison pits traditional, affordable AWD capability against modern hybrid savings and performance.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 35 MPG combined and offering 32 miles of pure electric driving.
2025 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport offers slightly more functional cargo space at 32.5 cu ft and is considerably less expensive upfront at $31,695.
2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid clearly dominates enthusiasts with 268 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque versus the Bronco Sport's 181 hp.
2025 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport provides a capable all-wheel-drive package for nearly $8,400 less than the technologically advanced Tucson hybrid.
Choose the Ford Bronco Sport if...
- You prioritize keeping the initial purchase price low, as the Bronco Sport MSRP is $31,695.
- You prefer a slightly boxier utility profile with 32.5 cu ft of cargo space.
- You are comfortable relying solely on gasoline power and achieving 25 MPG in the city.
Choose the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid if...
- You want significantly more power, benefiting from the Tucson's 268 horsepower output.
- Your daily drive allows you to leverage the 32 miles of all-electric range.
- You seek long-term fuel savings, reflected in the 35 MPG combined rating versus Car 1's 27 MPG.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Bronco Sport | Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 172.7" | 182.7" |
| Width | 74.3" | 73.4" |
| Height | 70.2" | 66.3" |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 108.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Folding Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 1.6 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 3 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | plug-in hybrid |
| Horsepower | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm | 268 hp |
| Torque | 190 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm | 271 lb-ft |
| Number of Valves | 12 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 25/30 MPG | 35/35 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 27 MPG | 35 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 400.0/480.0 mi. | 388.5/388.5 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.0 gal. | 11.1 gal. |
| EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe) | — | 80/73 MPGe |
| EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe) | — | 77 MPGe |
| EPA Electric Driving Range | — | 32 mi. |
| EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi) | — | 44 |
| Charging Time (240V) | — | 2.0 hr. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | — | SAE J1772 |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.5 in. | 40.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.4 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.3 in. | 57.6 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.2 in. | 54.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 6-way |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 41.7 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.9 in. | 41.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.6 in. | 56.0 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.4 in. | 53.9 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/65R H | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport and 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.
How much more powerful is the 2026 Tucson compared to the 2025 Bronco Sport?
The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is substantially more powerful, offering 268 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. This is an 87 hp advantage over the Bronco Sport's 181 hp.
Is the lower fuel economy of the Bronco Sport a major drawback?
While the Bronco Sport is rated for only 27 MPG combined compared to the Tucson's 35 MPG combined, it uses regular unleaded fuel exclusively, whereas the Tucson requires charging to maximize its efficiency benefits.
Which vehicle is taller and what does that mean for parking?
The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport is taller at 70.2 inches compared to the Tucson's 66.3 inches. This added height might be beneficial for ground clearance but could present slight challenges in some low-clearance parking garages.
What is the price difference between these two AWD crossovers?
There is a significant $8,380 difference in starting MSRP, with the Bronco Sport beginning at $31,695 and the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid starting at $40,075.
Do these vehicles offer similar amounts of interior storage?
They are very close, though the Bronco Sport edges out the Tucson slightly with 32.5 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity compared to the Tucson’s 31.9 cubic feet.
Does the difference in horsepower affect acceleration times?
Yes, with 87 more horsepower and higher torque figures, the Tucson Hybrid is expected to feel much quicker and more responsive during passing maneuvers compared to the Bronco Sport's base engine.
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