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Hyundai Tucson vs Mitsubishi Outlander

2026 Hyundai Tucson vs 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Hyundai Tucson

2026 Hyundai Tucson

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS5 – 2Hyundai Tucson wins 5 of 7 categories
Mitsubishi Outlander

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Hyundai Tucson is more fuel-efficient: 38 vs 28 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $650 a year less in fuel for the Hyundai Tucson (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Mitsubishi Outlander is the bigger car, about 3 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Hyundai Tucson has had fewer recall campaigns (29 vs 47).

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 Mitsubishi Outlander is a small SUV offered with 3 engines (1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 185 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,726 lb (4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2021 Tucson and the 2024 Outlander have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2016 Tucson and the 2015 Outlander.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

38 MPG
Best combined MPG
28 MPG
38 city
City / highway MPG (best)
27 city
$1,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,400

Performance & space

187 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
174 hp
–
Seats (most)
7
182.3 in
Length
185.4 in
73.2 in
Width
73.2 in
64.2 in
Height
68.5 in
3,340 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,726 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
10
6
Recalls (2026)
1
29
Recalls, all years since 2005
47
99
Owner complaints (latest year)
6

Interest

22,259
Wikipedia views, 30 days
15,692

Buying used

2021
Best used year
2024
2016
Year to avoid
2015

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 28 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (3 in shorter)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (29 vs 47 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander if…

  • You want more room (3 in longer)

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 Mitsubishi Outlander

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.

Full 2026 Hyundai Tucson specs →Full 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →