Hyundai will soon add a new XRT version of its popular Tucson crossover, based on data derived from a recent order guide. Like the larger Hyundai Santa Fe, our analysis finds that the vehicle will offer a slightly sportier overall appearance but may not end up being a good deal compared to the brand's midsized SUV.
Even though Hyundai hasn't released full specs and details for the 2022 Tucson XRT, we do know it will be positioned between the SEL and Limited trims and sold with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. That aligns with the brand's treatment of the first-ever 2022 Santa Fe XRT, which we learned about this past summer.
2022 Tucson XRT pricing will start at $32,625 after a destination charge of $1,225. That's $4,750 more than the $27,875 MSRP of the cheapest SEL and $3,450 less than the $36,075 price of the Limited. Opting for the all-wheel-drive configuration adds $1,500, bringing the price to $34,125 excluding any options.
Curiously, a closer look finds that the Tucson XRT will be only slightly less expensive than a Santa Fe in the same guise. For reference, the 2022 Santa Fe XRT starts at $33,525. That's just $900 more than its smaller stablemate and could leave buyers wondering why they should even bother with buying the Tucson.
Like the Santa Fe, the Tucson XRT offers no advantage in output over non-XRT styles. In the Tucson, it'll come with the same 2.5L 4-cylinder engine as other configurations rated at 187 horsepower with 178 lb-ft of torque. Other features we know about include 19-inch black alloy wheels and heated cloth bucket seats.
Will the Tucson XRT be Hyundai's answer to sportier versions of the Toyota RAV4? At $32,625, the XRT does undercut the price of a 2021 RAV4 Adventure ($34,670, AWD only) by a little over $2,000. However, a comparison with the all-wheel-drive XRT shows a fairly marginal advantage of $545 for the Hyundai.
The Tucson now offers a surprisingly diverse lineup of choices. In addition to the gas model, Hyundai offers a hybrid rated at up to 38 mpg overall, as well as a plug-in hybrid coming in at 80 MPGe capable of 33 miles of range on electric power. With the new XRT, Hyundai appears set to offer something for everyone.
Non-XRT 2022 Tucson pictured