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Hyundai Tucson vs Mazda CX-30

2026 Hyundai Tucson vs 2026 Mazda CX-30 — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Hyundai Tucson

2026 Hyundai Tucson

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS4 – 3Hyundai Tucson wins 4 of 7 categories
Mazda CX-30

2026 Mazda CX-30

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD

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The short version

The Hyundai Tucson is more fuel-efficient: 38 vs 27 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $750 a year less in fuel for the Hyundai Tucson (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Hyundai Tucson is the bigger car, about 10 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Mazda CX-30 has had fewer recall campaigns (7 vs 29).

The two cars

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 182 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,468 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

The 2026 Mazda CX-30 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo) and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 173 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,342 lb (Cx30 4dr SUV AWD).

Buying used? The 2021 Tucson and the 2023 CX-30 have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2016 Tucson and the 2021 CX-30.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
4-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

38 MPG
Best combined MPG
27 MPG
38 city
City / highway MPG (best)
24 city
$1,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,500

Performance & space

187 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
186 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
182.3 in
Length
172.8 in
73.2 in
Width
70.9 in
64.2 in
Height
61.8 in
3,340 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,146 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
12
6
Recalls (2026)
0
29
Recalls, all years since 2005
7
99
Owner complaints (latest year)
4

Interest

22,259
Wikipedia views, 30 days
8,173

Buying used

2021
Best used year
2023
2016
Year to avoid
2021

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Hyundai Tucson if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (38 vs 27 MPG)
  • You want more room (10 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Choose the Mazda CX-30 if…

  • You want something easier to park (10 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (7 vs 29 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Hyundai Tucson

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 38 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

2026 Mazda CX-30

  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Hyundai Tucson specs →Full 2026 Mazda CX-30 specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →