2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid vs 2026 Ford Bronco Sport
Comparison Overview
Deciding between the technologically advanced 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the ruggedly styled 2026 Ford Bronco Sport presents a classic efficiency versus adventure trade-off. Many buyers struggle when the $39,730 MSRP of the Tucson PHEV clashes with the Bronco Sport's lower $31,845 starting price—a significant $7,885 difference. However, the Tucson immediately starts paying back its premium with superior running costs, netting 35 MPG combined compared to the Bronco Sport's 27 MPG combined. Performance heavily favors the Hyundai, which boasts 268 hp versus the Ford's 181 hp, making highway merging much easier. While the Bronco Sport is slightly taller at 70.2 inches, offering a bolder stance, the Tucson provides 32 miles of pure electric driving, an undeniable advantage for short urban trips.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The Tucson PHEV's 32 miles of electric range and 35 MPG combined efficiency offer substantial daily fuel savings.
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport offers slightly more accessible cargo space at 32.5 cu ft and a lower entry price for families prioritizing budget.
2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The Tucson's 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque provide a much stronger acceleration experience than the Bronco Sport’s 181 hp.
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
Despite lower efficiency, the Bronco Sport's $7,885 lower MSRP makes it the better outright financial value proposition.
Choose the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid if...
- You commute less than 32 miles round trip and want to maximize electric-only driving.
- You need strong acceleration provided by its 268 hp powertrain.
- Fuel efficiency is paramount, as 35 MPG combined beats the Bronco Sport's 27 MPG easily.
Choose the Ford Bronco Sport if...
- You need the lowest initial purchase price, saving $7,885 off the MSRP.
- You prefer a taller, more rugged aesthetic, indicated by its 70.2-inch height.
- You need slightly more overall storage, as its 32.5 cu ft cargo capacity edges out the Hyundai’s 31.9 cu ft.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid | Ford Bronco Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.7" | 172.7" |
| Width | 73.4" | 74.3" |
| Height | 66.3" | 70.2" |
| Wheelbase | 108.5" | 105.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear 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 |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Rear Folding Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.6 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 3 |
| Base Engine Type | plug-in hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 268 hp | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 190 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 12 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Limited Slip | — |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 35/35 MPG | 25/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 35 MPG | 27 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 388.5/388.5 mi. | 400.0/480.0 mi. |
| 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. | — |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 11.1 gal. | 16.0 gal. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | SAE J1772 | — |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 8.0 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 | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.1 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.1 in. | 42.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.6 in. | 57.3 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.5 in. | 55.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.5 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 41.3 in. | 36.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.0 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.9 in. | 53.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/60R18 | 225/65R H |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 17 in |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | — |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and 2026 Ford Bronco Sport.
How much faster is the 2025 Tucson PHEV compared to the 2026 Bronco Sport?
The Tucson is significantly more powerful, offering 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, versus the Bronco Sport's 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. This nearly 90 horsepower advantage means the Tucson will feel much quicker in passing maneuvers.
Can I save money with the Tucson's hybrid system despite its higher price?
Yes, the Tucson starts at $39,730 compared to $31,845 for the Bronco Sport, but its superior fuel economy (35 MPG combined vs. 27 MPG) helps offset that $7,885 difference over time.
Which crossover has better utility for hauling gear?
Both are quite similar, but the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport technically has a slight edge with 32.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, compared to the 2025 Tucson PHEV's 31.9 cubic feet.
Is the Tucson's electric range enough for my daily drive?
The Tucson offers 32 miles of pure electric range on a full charge. If your daily commute is consistently under this mileage, you may rarely need to use regular unleaded fuel.
Are both vehicles front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive?
Both the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport come standard with all-wheel drive capability.
Do either of these models require premium fuel?
No, fortunately for the budget, both the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the Bronco Sport are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel.
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