2026 Hyundai Tucson vs 2026 Mazda CX-30

$29,200 · Crossover

$25,975 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson arrives boasting superior space and slightly more efficiency, immediately setting it apart as the practical choice, offering 38.7 cu ft of cargo capacity against the CX-30's 20.2 cu ft. The Tucson pushes out 187 hp from its powertrain while achieving 28 combined MPG, beating the slightly thirstier CX-30's 27 MPG rating. Conversely, the Mazda CX-30 electrifies the drive with superior low-end grunt, delivering 186 lb-ft of torque—10 lb-ft more than the Tucson—and provides standard All-Wheel Drive at a competitive starting MSRP of $25,975, undercutting the Tucson by $3,225. While the Tucson feels substantial at 182.7 inches long, the CX-30 favors agility, making its smaller footprint and AWD a compelling package for those who prioritize spirited handling over sheer utility.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson is the clear winner for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, netting 25/33 MPG city/highway versus the CX-30's 24/31 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Tucson

With 38.7 cu ft of cargo space compared to just 20.2 cu ft, the larger 2026 Tucson easily accommodates family gear and groceries.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-30

The CX-30 provides a tangible driving edge with higher torque (186 lb-ft vs 178 lb-ft) and standard All-Wheel Drive for dynamic handling.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mazda CX-30

The CX-30 starts at $25,975, offering a substantial $3,225 lower entry price point than the Tucson.

Choose the Hyundai Tucson if...

You require maximum utility, as the Tucson offers a massive 38.7 cu ft of cargo capacity.
Your driving habits prioritize highway cruising, where the Tucson achieves 33 MPG highway.
You prefer the confidence of an 8-speed automatic transmission over the CX-30's 6-speed unit.

Choose the Mazda CX-30 if...

Budget is a top concern, as the CX-30 undercuts the Tucson by $3,225 MSRP.
You value torque delivery for spirited acceleration, as the CX-30 boasts 186 lb-ft.
All-Weather capability is essential, thanks to the standard All Wheel Drive system.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Tucson	Mazda CX-30
Length	182.7"	173.0"
Width	73.4"	70.7"
Height	-	61.4"
Wheelbase	108.5"	104.4"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
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	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	187 hp @ 6100 rpm	186 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/33 MPG	24/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	357.5/471.9 mi.	304.8/393.7 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gal.	12.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Extended Cabin Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	8.8 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	8
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Remote Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Front Head Room	40.1 in.	38.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.6 in.	55.6 in.
Front Hip Room	54.5 in.	54.6 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	38.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.3 in.	36.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.0 in.	53.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.9 in.	53.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/65R17	215/65R16
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Suspension Type	—	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Hyundai Tucson and 2026 Mazda CX-30.

Which crossover is more efficient for daily driving?

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson takes the efficiency crown with a combined MPG rating of 28, edging out the Mazda CX-30's 27 combined MPG. For solo commutes, the Tucson’s 33 highway MPG is notably better.

How significant is the difference in size between the two models?

The Tucson is substantially larger; it measures 182.7 inches long compared to the CX-30's 173.0 inches. This difference translates directly to cargo utility, where the Tucson offers nearly double the space at 38.7 cu ft versus the CX-30's 20.2 cu ft.

Does the lower price of the CX-30 mean a major performance deficit?

Not significantly, as horsepower is nearly identical at 186 hp (CX-30) versus 187 hp (Tucson). However, the CX-30 delivers more accessible grunt with 186 lb-ft of torque compared to the Tucson’s 178 lb-ft.

Why should I choose the AWD CX-30 over the FWD Tucson?

The CX-30 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, which inherently improves traction and stability in poor conditions. The Tucson defaults to Front Wheel Drive, though an AWD option is implied for this class.

Is the driving experience much different due to the transmission?

Yes, the Tucson utilizes a modern 8-speed shiftable automatic for potentially smoother shifting and efficiency, whereas the CX-30 relies on a 6-speed automatic transmission.