2026 Hyundai Tucson vs. Volkswagen Tiguan | North Little Rock, AR

Two names keep coming up when North Little Rock shoppers start comparing compact SUVs: the 2026 Hyundai Tucson and the 2026 Mazda CX-5. Under the hood, they're closer than most rivals, each running a 187-hp four-cylinder and offering genuinely spacious rear seating. Where they part ways is everything else: how the tech works, what's covered under warranty, and how each one actually feels behind the wheel. Visit our model research page for more info on the 2026 Hyundai Tucson. Vehicle Comparison 2026 Hyundai Tucson Horsepower 187 hp (2.5L I4) AWD Availability Available Fuel Economy / Range 25/33 (FWD); 24/30 (AWD) mpg (city/hwy) Seating Capacity 5 Top Features 12.3" Touchscreen w/ Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto AEB w/ Pedestrian Detection Hyundai Digital Key App Towing Capacity Up to 2,000 lbs (optional hitch required) Find Your Tucson Today 2026 Mazda CX-5 Horsepower 187 hp (2.5L I4) AWD Availability Standard Fuel Economy / Range 25/33 (FWD); 24/30 (AWD) mpg (city/hwy) Seating Capacity 5 Top Features 12.9" Touchscreen w/ Google-Based Software Lane-Change Assist & Traffic-Sign Recognition All-Wheel Drive on Every Trim Towing Capacity Up to 1,500 lbs Search Our Used Inventory Exterior and Cabin Impressions A sharp, angular exterior sets the Tucson apart, and its cabin carries forward the same design language Hyundai introduced across the Palisade, Sonata, and Elantra. Mazda took a different path with the redesigned CX-5, stretching the wheelbase by 4.5 inches and adding seven ambient lighting choices, along with a cleaner dashboard now that the old rotary infotainment knob is gone. Quick Comparison: Tucson: cohesive, modern design shared across Hyundai's newer lineup CX-5: longer wheelbase and expanded ambient lighting for 2026 Both: cabins that feel upscale for the compact SUV price range Performance and Ride Quality Identical 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines power both SUVs, but the way that power reaches the road differs. An eight-speed automatic handles Tucson duty, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available as an option. The CX-5 instead uses a six-speed automatic paired with standard all-wheel drive on every trim, so there's no front-wheel-drive version to consider. Handling favors the CX-5 slightly, with testers noting sharper responses and a 60-mph time of 8.0 seconds. Comfort favors the Tucson, which settles into a notably quiet highway cruise, with an all-wheel-drive Limited trim reaching 60 mph in a comparable 8.8 seconds. On the Move: Tucson: quieter, more relaxed ride at highway speed CX-5: sharper handling and standard all-wheel drive Both: 187-hp engines tuned more for comfort than quickness Passenger and Cargo Space North Little Rock families cross-shopping these two will find plenty of room in either. Hyundai's Tucson holds nine carry-on suitcases behind the rear seats and 22 with them folded flat, backed by real-world cargo testing. Mazda's redesigned CX-5 picked up real gains in rear legroom, kneeroom, and headroom for 2026, and its cargo hold measures 34 cubic feet, though suitcase-count testing for the new generation hasn't been published yet. Room Check: Tucson: cargo capacity already verified through hands-on testing CX-5: bigger footprint for 2026, with rear-seat gains across the board Both: seating for five with real space for adult passengers in back Infotainment and Connected Features Standard on the Tucson is a 12.3-inch touchscreen, with an optional combined dual-screen layout that stretches across most of the dashboard for gauges and infotainment together. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on every trim, and Hyundai's Digital Key system turns a compatible smartphone into a key. A standard 12.9-inch touchscreen anchors the CX-5's dash, with an available 15.6-inch Google-based upgrade on higher trims. Wireless smartphone connectivity is limited to the Select trim and up, and early testers flagged occasional glitches with the new software. Screen Time: Tucson: wireless connectivity across every trim, plus Digital Key convenience CX-5: larger available screen, but wireless features and reliability vary by trim Tucson delivers more consistent tech, no matter which trim you pick Standard Safety Equipment Driver-assistance technology comes well-stocked on both SUVs. Standard on the Tucson: automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist. Adaptive cruise control and lane-centering are available on higher trims. The CX-5 counters with its own standard package, including automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-change assist, and traffic-sign recognition. North Little Rock drivers can see how Hyundai's safety record compares in the brand's latest safety honors. Safety Side-by-Side: Tucson: standard pedestrian detection built into automated braking CX-5: standard lane-change assist and traffic-sign recognition Both: standard automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control Efficiency, Drivetrain, and Towing With front-wheel drive, the Tucson's 187-hp engine earns an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, dipping to 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway with all-wheel drive. An optional hitch brings towing capacity up to 2,000 pounds. The CX-5, running standard all-wheel drive, is rated at 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, with towing capped at 1,500 pounds. Between the two, the Tucson's front-wheel-drive efficiency numbers and higher towing ceiling give it a real practical edge for anyone hauling gear or a small trailer. Hybrid and Electrified Options Every number above reflects the standard gas-powered Tucson and CX-5, with no hybrid or plug-in figures mixed in. Hyundai already sells the Tucson in Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid form for drivers chasing more efficiency, part of an electrified lineup that's earned national recognition. Mazda has a CX-5 Hybrid on the way, but it isn't due until the 2027 model year, so it sits outside this comparison. Long-Term Ownership Costs Hyundai's coverage on the Tucson includes a five-year, 60,000-mile limited warranty, a ten-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance. The CX-5's warranty from Mazda falls well short of that: a three-year, 36,000-mile limited warranty, a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and no complimentary maintenance program. North Little Rock drivers can review the details in Hyundai's warranty coverage. Cost of Ownership: Tucson: doubles the CX-5's powertrain coverage, plus included maintenance CX-5: shorter warranty terms with no maintenance program included Tucson keeps long-term ownership costs meaningfully lower The Bottom Line for North Little Rock Drivers Both SUVs bring real strengths to the compact class, but the Tucson's advantages stack up where they matter most for daily ownership: better fuel economy, a higher towing capacity, consistent wireless tech across trims, and a warranty program that isn't a close call. North Little Rock drivers who want a compact SUV built for the long haul should start with the Tucson. Stop by Crain Hyundai of North Little Rock to see current inventory and financing options in person. FAQs Which SUV offers more cargo room, the Tucson or the CX-5? The Tucson has verified real-world cargo capacity of nine carry-on suitcases behind the rear seats, while the CX-5's larger 34-cubic-foot cargo hold hasn't yet been tested for suitcase count. Does the CX-5 offer wireless Apple CarPlay across every trim? No, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the CX-5 are limited to Select trim and above, while the Tucson includes them standard on every trim. Is a hybrid version available for the Tucson or the CX-5 this year? The Tucson is already available in Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid form, while Mazda's CX-5 Hybrid isn't expected until the 2027 model year.

Smart Technology and Everyday Safety for Families A three-row SUV spends most of its life doing ordinary things. School runs, grocery trips, the occasional road trip. And increasingly, buyers judge that daily experience by how smart and how safe the vehicle feels behind the wheel. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade and 2027 Kia Telluride both bring serious tech and safety credentials to that conversation for families in North Little Rock. There's a model-year note worth flagging up front. Kia skipped the 2026 model altogether and instead introduced a redesigned 2027 model. The two SUVs actually launched around the same time, despite the different model-year labels. A closer look at the redesigned Palisade is available in our latest coverage. Vehicle Comparison 2026 Hyundai Palisade Horsepower 287 hp AWD Availability Available Fuel Economy / Range 20-21 combined mpg (city/hwy) Seating Capacity 7-8 Top Features Dual 12.3″ Curved Displays Available Relaxation Seats UV-C Sanitizing Tray Towing Capacity Up to 5,000 lbs Find Your Palisade Today 2027 Kia Telluride Horsepower 274 hp AWD Availability Available Fuel Economy / Range 20-22 combined mpg (city/hwy) Seating Capacity 7-8 Top Features Built-In AI Voice Assistant Dual Wireless Phone Chargers Available X-Pro Off-Road Hardware Towing Capacity Up to 5,000 lbs Search Our Used Inventory First Impressions A sleeker, more upscale exterior sets the redesigned Palisade apart this year, with refined lighting details replacing the outgoing model's heavier-handed styling. The Telluride's redesign went a different direction entirely, doubling down on the boxy, trail-ready look the nameplate is known for rather than chasing a softer, more luxury-leaning aesthetic. First Look: Palisade: Sleeker, more upscale exterior following its 2026 redesign Telluride: Boxy, trail-ready design carried into its 2027 redesign Both: Seating for seven or eight passengers Everyday Tech That Actually Gets Used The features that matter most aren't always the flashiest ones. They're the ones drivers touch every single day. Hyundai’s Digital Key might be the single most-used feature on a new Palisade, since it removes the physical fob from the equation entirely for owners who'd rather just carry their phone. Dual 12.3-inch curved displays back that up visually, giving the dashboard a seamless, modern look that doesn't feel bolted-on. Kia leans into voice control instead with the Telluride, a built-in AI assistant that handles requests conversationally rather than through menus, paired with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and an available digital gauge display of its own. Tech Rundown: Palisade: Dual 12.3-inch curved displays, Digital Key convenience Telluride: Built-in AI voice assistant, 12.3-inch touchscreen Both: Standard wireless smartphone connectivity Safety Systems Families Actually Rely On Three rows of passengers mean three rows of reasons to care about active safety technology. Every layer of Hyundai SmartSense is engineered around real-world driving, not just checkbox features. You get adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic braking working together. Highway Driving Assist 2 layers on top of that for drivers who log real highway miles, the kind of feature that earns its keep on a trip to Memphis or Dallas rather than the daily commute. Kia backs the Telluride with its own comprehensive driver-assistance suite, built to hold up whether the trip is three minutes to school or three hours down the interstate. Safety Snapshot: Palisade: Hyundai SmartSense and Highway Driving Assist 2 Telluride: Comprehensive driver-assistance features across trims Both: Advanced safety systems designed for family travel Comfort That Supports the Tech None of this technology matters much if the cabin itself isn't comfortable, and both automakers clearly know it. Available Relaxation Seats on the Palisade, especially prominent on the range-topping Calligraphy trim, turn longer drives into something closer to a lounge experience than a commute. That premium feel carries through the rest of the cabin, too, from the materials to the overall fit and finish. The Telluride keeps its focus more practical, spacious seating, and genuinely useful storage solutions across all three rows rather than a luxury-first approach. Comfort Notes: Palisade: Available Relaxation Seats, premium cabin materials Telluride: Spacious three-row layout, practical storage throughout Both: Family-friendly cabins built for daily versatility Towing and Fuel Economy Even in a tech-and-safety-focused comparison, real-world capability still matters for families who tow gear. The Palisade lands at 20 to 21 mpg combined, with the Telluride running slightly ahead at 20 to 22 mpg combined. Both SUVs match up evenly on towing, handling up to 5,000 lbs when properly equipped. Capability Notes: Palisade: 20–21 mpg combined, up to 5,000 lbs towing Telluride: 20–22 mpg combined, up to 5,000 lbs towing Both: Available AWD and strong towing capability Electrified Options Worth Knowing About Neither of these SUVs is limited to gas power anymore. Hyundai added a hybrid variant to the redesigned Palisade lineup. Kia followed suit with its own hybrid Telluride trims, giving efficiency-minded families a path into either nameplate without giving up three rows of seating. Electrified Notes: Palisade: Available hybrid powertrain Telluride: Available hybrid powertrain Both: Added efficiency without giving up three-row practicality What Ownership Looks Like Down the Road Technology and safety features age well when they're backed by real manufacturer support. Hyundai's warranty on the Palisade remains one of the strongest in the industry. Also known as America’s Best Warranty, it’s an added level of confidence that extends well past the moment you drive off the lot. Kia's coverage on the Telluride holds up reasonably well against the segment, though it doesn't quite match what Hyundai offers here. Value Points: Palisade: Industry-leading Hyundai warranty coverage Telluride: Competitive warranty coverage within the segment Both: Backed by established manufacturer support Which Three-Row SUV Fits Your Family in North Little Rock? Both of these SUVs treat technology and safety as genuine priorities rather than afterthoughts, which makes this a harder call than most three-row comparisons. Families who want the most seamless daily tech experience and the strongest warranty backing may find the Palisade the better fit. Families drawn to voice-first controls and a more rugged overall character may lean toward the Telluride instead. Either way, families throughout North Little Rock, Little Rock, Sherwood, Jacksonville, and Cabot get a genuinely well-equipped three-row SUV built for daily life in Central Arkansas. FAQs Q: Which SUV makes it easier to go without a physical key? A: The Palisade's Digital Key feature lets a compatible smartphone fully replace the physical fob, a level of convenience the Telluride doesn't currently match. Q: Does the Telluride offer voice control like the Palisade? A: Yes, though the approach differs. The Telluride uses a built-in AI voice assistant for natural conversational commands, while the Palisade relies more on its dual curved displays and Digital Key convenience. Q: Which SUV has better long-term warranty coverage? A: The Palisade benefits from Hyundai's industry-leading warranty package, giving it an edge over the Telluride's still-competitive but less extensive coverage.

Awards season for automakers usually produces a handful of headlines that fade fast. What Hyundai pulled off in Cars.com's 2026 evaluations is a little differentt wasn't one category or one standout model, it was a spread of results across value rankings, a head-to-head SUV challenge, and even the used car market. That's the kind of thing that's worth unpacking rather than skimming past. Cars.com isn't in the business of flattering any one brand, so when a manufacturer places well across several separate tests with different criteria, it tends to mean something real about how the vehicles actually perform for owners. North Little Rock and Central Arkansas drivers researching their next vehicle now have a fuller picture to work with. A Look at Where Hyundai Landed in 2026 Best Value Awards Hyundai Palisade: Best Value Mid-Size SUV Winner Hyundai Ioniq 5: Best Value EV Winner Hyundai Kona: Top Finisher, Subcompact SUV Hyundai Elantra: Top Finisher, Compact Car Best Compact SUV Hyundai Tucson Hybrid: 3rd Place Overall Best Used Cars Around $15,000 2020-2021 Hyundai Elantra 2018-2020 Hyundai Sonata 2021-2022 Hyundai Venue 2017-2020 Hyundai Tucson Each of these results has its own story. Why the Palisade Won Best Value Mid-Size SUV Cars.com didn't just look at sticker price when picking a mid-size SUV winner. The evaluation weighed ownership costs, fuel economy, warranty coverage, and how generously safety technology gets included versus locked behind pricier trims. The Palisade held up on every front. Much of that comes down to what's standard rather than optional. Third-row seating ships on every trim, and the interior includes more equipment out of the gate than several competitors reserve for their top-tier models. That's a real benefit for North Little Rock and Sherwood families who need enough room for the whole crew without a long list of add-ons to check off. The redesigned 2026 model also picked up new exterior styling and additional powertrain options, refining a formula that was already working well. It's a natural comparison point for anyone cross-shopping this segment, and the Palisade's included features and cabin space stand up well against the Kia Telluride, one of its more direct rivals in the three-row space. Ioniq 5 Takes Home Best Value EV Electric vehicles are judged on a different set of priorities entirely, and range and charging speed typically carry more weight than they would for a traditional gas SUV. The Ioniq 5 delivered, with select trims offering up to 318 miles of range and support for fast charging. EV interest keeps growing across Arkansas, and one detail that's made ownership easier for existing Ioniq 5 drivers is expanded charging access. The Ioniq 5's compatibility with Tesla Superchargers opened up a much larger charging network for North Little Rock owners, removing one of the biggest hesitations people have about going electric. Combined with its interior tech and driver-focused design, it's easy to see why Cars.com singled it out as the segment's best value pick. Hyundai's EV lineup has picked up recognition in consecutive years now, not just this one. Kona and Elantra Also Finished Near the Top Two more Hyundai models landed as top finishers rather than category winners, which still says something in a competitive field. The Kona stood out among subcompact SUVs for efficient performance and a cabin that manages to feel roomier than its footprint suggests. The Elantra earned similar praise among compact cars, where solid fuel economy, current safety tech, and an accessible starting price kept it near the front of the pack. Central Arkansas sedan shoppers frequently line it up against one of its best-known rivals, and the Elantra's fuel efficiency and safety features compare well to the Honda Civic, a pairing that's been a mainstay in this segment for years. Tucson Hybrid Lands on the Podium in a Crowded Field Compact SUVs may be the single toughest category to stand out in right now, which makes any podium finish worth a second look. In Cars.com's Compact SUV Challenge, the Tucson Hybrid Limited went up against several of the segment's biggest names and still landed in third overall. Judges pointed to its class-leading cargo capacity within the challenge, along with a well-organized interior and a hybrid powertrain that runs smoothly rather than feeling like a trade-off for efficiency. A long list of included comfort features helped its overall value score, too. It's often weighed against one of its most established rivals, and the Tucson's interior space and fuel economy compare favorably to the Toyota RAV4, a matchup that highlights just how much the Tucson Hybrid brings to the table. Used Hyundai Models Made the $15,000 List Too New vehicles weren't the whole story this year. Cars.com combed through thousands of used listings nationwide to build its Best Used Cars Around $15,000 list, and four Hyundai models landed spots. 2020-2021 Hyundai Elantra: strong fuel economy, updated safety features, low cost to own 2018-2020 Hyundai Sonata: comfortable ride, spacious cabin, strong value in the midsize sedan class 2021-2022 Hyundai Venue: compact size that's easy to park, distinctive styling, budget-friendly crossover option 2017-2020 Hyundai Tucson: practical everyday SUV, dependable safety scores, low-maintenance ownership For North Little Rock buyers working with a tighter budget, this list is a solid reminder that Hyundai's value holds up well beyond the new-car lot. The Bigger Picture Behind These Results One award can happen for a lot of reasons that have nothing to do with the vehicle itself, timing, a thin field, or a narrow scoring margin. Placing well across three distinct evaluations, each measuring something different, is a lot harder to chalk up to luck. The Best Value Awards weighed affordability against ownership costs and included features. The Compact SUV Challenge involved direct, competitive testing against established rivals. The used car list focused entirely on long-term reliability and resale value. Hyundai came out ahead in all three, and that consistency is the part worth paying attention to. It points to a lineup built around what people actually care about after they've signed the paperwork, not just what looks impressive on the showroom floor. For drivers throughout North Little Rock and Central Arkansas, that's reason enough to see what's currently available. FAQ Which Hyundai won Cars.com's Best Value Mid-Size SUV award? The 2026 Hyundai Palisade earned the win, recognized for its standard third-row seating, spacious cabin, and long list of included features. Which Hyundai electric vehicle earned recognition from Cars.com? The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was named Best Value EV, praised for its range, fast-charging capability, and overall ownership value. Which Hyundai models made Cars.com's Best Used Cars Around $15,000 list? The Elantra, Sonata, Venue, and Tucson all earned spots on the list of top used vehicles near that price point. How did the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid perform in Cars.com's Compact SUV Challenge? It finished third overall, earning praise for cargo space, cabin design, value, and smooth hybrid performance.