2026–27 Hyundai Tucson vs Honda CR-V: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the CR-V — it leads our weighted scorecard 5.5–4 across 9 categories, winning on fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.50 vs 0.97) and better 5-year value retention (66.3% vs 48.8%). Choose the Tucson if the lower sticker matters most ($29,200 vs $31,520 to start).
Scorecard: Tucson 4 pts · CR-V 5.5 pts across 9 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Tucson | 2027 CR-V | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $29,200 | $31,520 | Tucson |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.97 | 0.50 | CR-V |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 48.8% | 66.3% | CR-V |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 38 mpg | 40 mpg | CR-V |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 268 hp | 204 hp | Tucson |
| Max towing (1) | 2,750 lb | 1,500 lb | Tucson |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 38.7 cu ft | 39.3 cu ft | Tie |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 5.7% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 10 | 4 | CR-V |
| Weighted points | 4 | 5.5 | CR-V |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the CR-V — 40 mpg vs 38 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the CR-V — 0.50 vs 0.97 (NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Tucson — $29,200 vs $31,520 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $22,862 for the Tucson vs $24,633 for the CR-V.
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the CR-V — 66.3% vs 48.8% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Tucson — 2,750 lb vs 1,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Tucson starts at $29,200 and tops out at $48,300; the CR-V runs $31,520 to $42,950 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified CR-V buyers paid a median 5.7% off MSRP across 49 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 6.7% off. Used, the median asking price is $22,862 for the Tucson and $24,633 for the CR-V (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Tucson: 0.97 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 21th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- CR-V: 0.50 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 63th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Tucson 10, CR-V 4.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Tucson 2016 (avoid) · CR-V 2016 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 Tucson | 2027 CR-V | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $29,200 | $31,520 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $48,300 | $42,950 |
| Horsepower | 187–268 hp | 190–204 hp |
| Max torque | 271 lb-ft | 179 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 26–38 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 29–40 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 2,750 lb | 1,500 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 38.7 cu ft | 39.3 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| Tucson | CR-V | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.7 in | 184.8 in |
| Width | 73.4 in | 73.5 in |
| Height | 65.6 in | 66.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 in | 106.3 in |
| Ground clearance | 7.1 in | 7.8 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Tucson lists for a median $17,499 — 48.8% of today's median new price of $35,830. A 5-year-old (2021) CR-V lists for a median $24,626 — 66.3% of today's median new price of $37,127.
Shop both
- See new 2026 Hyundai Tucsons for sale →
- See 47,358 new 2027 Honda CR-Vs for sale →Median listed price $39,237 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Hyundai Tucson
More on the Honda CR-V
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Tucson better than the CR-V?
On our data, no — the CR-V comes out ahead. Our pick: the CR-V — it leads our weighted scorecard 5.5–4 across 9 categories, winning on fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.50 vs 0.97) and better 5-year value retention (66.3% vs 48.8%). Choose the Tucson if the lower sticker matters most ($29,200 vs $31,520 to start).
Which is more reliable, the Tucson or the CR-V?
On federal data, the CR-V: owners filed 0.50 NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold versus 0.97 for the Tucson (2015–2022 sales years). That's complaint volume, not a survey score. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Tucson and 4 for the CR-V.
Which holds its value better, the Tucson or the CR-V?
The CR-V: a 5-year-old example lists for 66.3% of the new price, versus 48.8% for the Tucson, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Tucson or the CR-V?
The Tucson starts lower: $29,200 vs $31,520 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the Tucson or the CR-V?
The CR-V: up to 40 mpg combined vs 38 mpg for the Tucson (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Hyundai Tucson vs Honda CR-V: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/hyundai-tucson-vs-honda-cr-v, updated November 8, 2026.