2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2021 Audi Q3

The 2021 Audi Q3 featured a massive corporate grille that paired well with its stout, chunky styling, presenting an idea of utility and dynamic handling. The cabin echoed a mechanical, modern aesthetic with a dash design that framed the center touchscreen, making it a standout feature. Despite its modern and refined feel, the Q3's interior design was no longer as special due to Volkswagen's similar, albeit less upscale, designs. The Q3 came in Premium and Premium Plus trims, with standard features like leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Premium Plus trim added remote start, wireless device charging, and a hands-free power liftgate, with additional features available through packages.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson had a more conventional styling compared to its futuristic successor. It provided a commanding view of the road with an upright layout. Inside, the Tucson featured a modern, attractive dash design with tech features seamlessly integrated. The Tucson came in six trims: SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate. Standard features on the base SE included 17-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims added features like LED headlight accents, heated front seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. The range-topping Ultimate trim offered an 8-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 Audi Q3 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim offered a more potent version of the same engine, delivering 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The base engine had some turbo lag, especially under hard acceleration, but the more powerful engine provided a lively and engaging driving experience. The Q3 featured Audi’s Drive Select with Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, and Off-Road modes, offering a balanced blend of nimble handling and a comfortable ride.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson's base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, making 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims came with a 2.4-liter engine, producing 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at higher speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier performance around town. The Tucson had a comfortable and refined ride, with a towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds for the base engine and 2,000 pounds for the 2.4-liter engine.

The 2021 Audi Q3 offered 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the space behind the seats was decent for a subcompact luxury SUV, the total cargo space was subpar for the class. However, the Q3 made up for it with ample passenger space, providing comfortable front seats and impressive rear-seat headroom and legroom. It could seat five, but four passengers could take a road trip in comfort if they packed light.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Although this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it offered adequate space for weekend bags or large boxes. The Tucson's front seats were comfortable and supportive, with solid headroom and legroom. The rear seats were accommodating enough for adults on a road trip. The Tucson also featured plenty of cubbies and compartments for storage, with helpful trays for the driver’s essentials.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi’s MMI system, featuring logical menu navigation, Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The upgraded system included a 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation. Other available features were wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker premium audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit was also available, replacing the conventional instrument cluster with a customizable digital display.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim came with an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The touchscreen was user-friendly with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Additional available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Lane-departure warning was also standard. Optional driver assistance features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Buyers could also opt for a 360-degree camera system, front-and-rear parking sensors, and self-parking assist.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Upper-tier trims added features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, a 360-degree parking monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).