2026 Hyundai Tucson vs 2026 Toyota RAV4 I Great Lakes Hyundai

You don't need a lot of power to get around town. Safety features would prove more useful in a bustling city, and an upscale interior with loads of cargo space to work with will be more appreciated for everyday runs. We've just described the ideal compact SUV, and that would be the 2026 Hyundai Tucson in Columbus. The RAV4 leans too far into rugged territory, and that's not always everyone's style.

Starts at $29,200 MSRP Starts at $33,350 MSRP (est.)

Hyundai is able to offer a practical ride in a way that fits everyone's budget by consolidating the powertrain to a single option. But this engine wasn't chosen willy-nilly. The standard engine that you'll find in the new 2026 Hyundai Tucson in Gahanna is a 2.5L 4-cylinder with 187 horsepower. That's just enough power to get you across town and with a high enough capacity to take you through the woods and back for weekend outings. Drive with the confidence of an 8-speed automatic transmission that puts your power in all the right places. Critics have made note of the Tucson's suave steering, as well! Tow up to 2,000 pounds for a compact SUV that you can count on to do it all.

You could get up to 226 horsepower in the Toyota RAV4's FWD models, and 236 HP in AWD models. Yes, those numbers are a bit high, but we're hard-pressed to find average Columbus drivers reach those limits with their routine drives. You have to be constantly pushing your ride to get your money's worth, and that's not the kind of mentality we're looking for in an everyday SUV that appeals to everyone.

The standard SmartSense package is the biggest perk for many who drive the new 2026 Hyundai Tucson in Westerville. You get all of your proactive driver-assist essentials and their respective enhanced versions as Hyundai works to improve its safety systems each model year. For the Tucson, the standard automated emergency braking system has been tweaked to handle pedestrian detection, and the available adaptive cruise control platform can now operate with lane centering. This is how Hyundai always stays ahead of the game, and we always love to see this incredible level of dedication! If you're looking into the Tucson this year, ask your friendly Hyundai dealer in Columbus to demonstrate the available Remote Smart Parking Assist feature as one of the hottest upgrades right now.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 will be the first model to launch Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 (or TSS 4.0, for short). That sounds exciting, but what does it mean? Right now, not a whole lot. Toyota rolled out this platform, powered by Arene, with not much to show for it at the time of launch. The idea behind Arene is that your Toyota will use online updates to upgrade your existing safety features over time. But while you're waiting for the snowball effect to kick into gear, Hyundai is already handing enhanced safety features to you on a silver plate. So why wait?

Every new 2026 Tucson is crafted to be your ideal SUV, regardless of what trim you choose. Competitive rear passenger and cargo volume give you the space you need to add any task to your agenda without hesitation. Quality materials line the cabin for everyone's comfort and happiness. And, you can enjoy a high-tech ride minus the added cost with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and wireless smartphone connectivity coming standard. If you have an eye for luxury, there are plenty of optional features available for you to personally craft your perfect SUV!

Cabin comfort is a deciding factor for many, especially among parents who want nothing more than to see smiles on their family's faces. That's why, when faced with the choice, many drivers who know a thing or two about coziness will choose higher-grade materials in the Tucson over the lesser-quality materials that line the inside of the RAV4. Toyota did an okay job adding wireless smartphone connectivity standard in the RAV4, but that's on a smaller 10.5-inch display.

Try out the new 2026 Hyundai Tucson near you, and you'll quickly see why many of Ohio's drivers swear by it. It gets them to where they need to go, watches out for their safety, and is plenty comfortable, all without breaking the bank. The RAV4 still has more room for improvement, and Toyota had all the time in the world to figure it out.