The Hyundai Tucson is a well-regarded small SUV renowned for its excellent value proposition. For the 2025 model year, Hyundai has given the Tucson a facelift. It now comes with a refreshed exterior and a revamped interior. This makes the 2025 Tucson a fantastic choice for small SUV shoppers who are looking for a brand-new vehicle with ample space, performance, and safety equipment. However, the Ford Escape is another strong segment contender.
Feeling confused over which small SUV you should pick? Let us help with this Hyundai vs Ford contest. We’ll check out each model’s performance, interior, and safety attributes. Then, you’ll quickly decide which one to buy. You can also test-drive the revamped 2025 Tucson range at Gettel Hyundai in Sarasota, FL.
When it comes to interior features, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson and 2025 Ford Escape both shine, but they cater to different tastes and priorities.
The Hyundai Tucson takes interior comfort and utility to the next level. With spacious seating for five and plenty of legroom, even the tallest passengers will feel at home. The Tucson offers a suite of luxurious upgrades, including leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a panoramic sunroof. Its standout feature is its cargo space: a class-leading 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a massive 80.3 cubic feet with them folded down. Combine that with an available hands-free power liftgate, and you’ve got a cargo champion.
On the tech front, the Tucson has a 12.3-inch touch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, a digital instrument cluster, and premium options like an eight-speaker Bose audio system and ambient interior lighting. Plus, Hyundai has finally introduced physical controls for climate settings, a welcome improvement for 2025.
The Ford Escape also delivers a well-rounded interior experience. Its sliding second-row seats offer flexibility, allowing you to choose between more passenger legroom or increased cargo space. While its maximum cargo capacity of 65.4 cubic feet is impressive, it falls short of the Tucson.
The Escape offers a range of tech options, including an 8-inch touch screen as standard and an available 13.2-inch unit for a more immersive experience. However, the larger screen sacrifices some physical controls, which could be a dealbreaker for those who prefer traditional knobs and buttons. The Escape's standout feature is its available 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system, perfect for audiophiles.
In summary, the Hyundai Tucson stands out as the clear winner for those who value spaciousness, cutting-edge technology, and overall utility. Its best-in-class cargo space, luxurious seating options, and user-friendly tech upgrades make it a top choice for drivers who refuse to compromise on comfort or convenience. While the Escape offers some flexibility and a premium sound system, it simply can’t match the Tucson’s superior blend of practicality and modern features. Tucson is the smart pick for those looking to elevate their driving experience.
The 2025 Hyundai Tucson is powered by a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine. The 187-horsepower unit displaces 2.5 liters and generates up to 178 lb-ft of torque. It drives the front wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Some trims have paddle shifters on the steering wheel for manual gear changes. A three-mode drive selector is standard, with Normal, Sport, and My Drive modes. Buyers can also equip any trim with Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel drive system. When equipped, the drive mode selector gains a Snow mode. An idle-stop feature is standard for fuel savings when stopped in traffic or at stop lights. Furthermore, the 2025 Tucson’s naturally aspirated engine offers better reliability and lower maintenance costs.
The 2025 Ford Escape has two turbocharged engines. A 1.5-liter 3-cylinder unit with 181 horsepower is standard for lower trims. A 250-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit comes for higher trims. Either engine pairs with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The smaller engine comes with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The larger engine can only be had with all-wheel drive.
When it comes to keeping you and your passengers safe, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson and the 2025 Ford Escape both deliver impressive safety features, but the Tucson takes it up a notch with its advanced standard offerings.
The Tucson comes equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a comprehensive suite of safety features that’s standard on every trim level. This includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance. Its Highway Driving Assist even helps maintain speed, distance, and lane centering on the highway, making it feel like you have a co-pilot. Add in the surround-view monitor and Safe Exit Warning, and the Tucson turns even the busiest commutes into a stress-free experience.
On the other hand, the Ford Escape offers its Ford Co-Pilot360™, which includes staples like Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), and Lane-Keeping System. While these features are solid, the Escape’s standard safety package doesn’t feel as robust as the Tucson's offering. Features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system are available but only on higher trims, which means added cost.
Another standout for the Tucson is its driver attention warning system and rear occupant alert, which add an extra layer of protection that the Escape lacks. Whether it’s reminding you of rear passengers or ensuring you stay alert, the Tucson makes safety a top priority.
Both SUVs are top contenders, but the Tucson’s attention to detail, standard safety tech, and thoughtful extras make it the ultimate peace-of-mind machine. If safety tops your list, the Hyundai Tucson is your go-to choice.
Our comparison easily shows that the 2025 Hyundai Tucson is the one to pick. It’s a great small SUV with an impressive value proposition and feature set. Why not consider taking one home? Contact us at Gettel Hyundai of Sarasota in Sarasota, FL, and we’ll help you figure it out.