2026 Hyundai Tucson vs 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Comparison Overview
The primary numerical divergence between the 2026 Hyundai Tucson and the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is the MSRP, with the Tucson starting at $29,200, which is $4,205 more than the Outlander Sport's $24,995 entry price. Performance metrics show the Tucson leads significantly, boasting 187 horsepower compared to the Outlander Sport's 148 hp, a 39 hp advantage. Fuel economy is marginally better for the Tucson, achieving 28 combined MPG versus the Outlander Sport's 26 combined MPG, though the Tucson is FWD while the Outlander Sport includes AWD standard. Dimensions also favor the Tucson; it is 10.8 inches longer (182.7 vs 171.9 inches) and offers 17.0 cu ft more cargo space (38.7 vs 21.7 cu ft). These concrete differences highlight a trade-off between superior space and power (Tucson) versus lower initial cost and standard AWD (Outlander Sport).
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson's superior 28 combined MPG provides better long-term operational efficiency despite being a larger vehicle.
2026 Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson offers substantially more utility with 38.7 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Outlander Sport's 21.7 cu ft.
2026 Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson delivers 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Outlander Sport's 148 hp output.
2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The Outlander Sport presents a much lower barrier to entry at $24,995 and includes standard All-Wheel Drive, a feature absent in the base FWD Tucson.
Choose the Hyundai Tucson if...
- You prioritize power, needing 187 horsepower for freeway merging and highway driving.
- You require maximum utility, benefiting from the Tucson's segment-leading 38.7 cu ft of cargo space.
- You prefer the proven engagement of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport if...
- Your budget is firm, as the $24,995 MSRP saves $4,205 compared to the Tucson.
- Standard All-Wheel Drive capability is essential for your driving conditions.
- You prefer a smaller footprint, as the Outlander Sport is over 10 inches shorter in length.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Tucson | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.7" | 171.9" |
| Width | 73.4" | 71.3" |
| Height | - | 64.8" |
| Wheelbase | 108.5" | 105.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6100 rpm | 148 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 145 lb-ft @ 4200 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 | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 25/33 MPG | 23/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 28 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 357.5/471.9 mi. | 363.4/458.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.3 gal. | 15.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.1 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 41.6 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.6 in. | 56.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.5 in. | 52.1 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 | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.5 in. | 37.9 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 41.3 in. | 36.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.0 in. | 55.5 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.9 in. | 51.6 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | Steel |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | 16 x 6.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/65R17 | P215/70R16 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | Full |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2026 Hyundai Tucson and 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
What is the primary powertrain difference between the 2026 Tucson and Outlander Sport?
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson comes standard with 187 horsepower and utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Conversely, the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport produces only 148 horsepower paired with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission.
How significant is the size and cargo difference between these two crossovers?
The Tucson is a notably larger vehicle, measuring 182.7 inches in length compared to the Outlander Sport's 171.9 inches. This translates directly to cargo volume, where the Tucson offers 38.7 cu ft versus the Outlander Sport's 21.7 cu ft.
Does the lower price of the Outlander Sport mean sacrificing drivetrain capability?
Not entirely; the base Mitsubishi Outlander Sport comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, while the base Hyundai Tucson is Front Wheel Drive. This offers the Outlander Sport a practical advantage for inclement weather despite its lower $24,995 MSRP.
Which vehicle offers better fuel efficiency for commuters?
The Tucson holds a slight edge in fuel economy, achieving 28 combined MPG (25 City/33 Highway) using regular unleaded fuel. The Outlander Sport manages 26 combined MPG (23 City/29 Highway) on the same fuel type.
Is the significant power deficit in the Outlander Sport noticeable during daily driving?
Yes, the 39 horsepower difference means the Tucson will accelerate faster, registering 178 lb-ft of torque against the Outlander Sport's 145 lb-ft. This power gap is the most substantial performance variance between the two base models.
Are both vehicles compatible with regular unleaded gasoline?
Yes, both the 2026 Hyundai Tucson and the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport specify the use of regular unleaded fuel, keeping refueling costs predictable for both owners.
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