The SUV was once reserved for those who didn’t mind getting a bit of horse dung on their floormats or putting their skid plates to good use on a wilderness trail. These vehicles fit the bill for farmers, hunters, adventurers, or those who regularly needed to dump a body in the woods. But times change. Now, most SUVs and crossovers are marketed as family haulers that ride a bit higher than their sedan counterparts, and for good reason. Most have little to no added all-terrain capability over a sedan besides some added ground clearance and maybe a bit of cladding. So, it’s interesting to see the transformation now that some manufacturers are trying to instill some original SUV ruggedness into what models have become mass-market family crossovers.
The Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road sports a tuned suspension, skid plates, and standard all-wheel drive, making it far more capable than the standard RAV4. The Ford Explorer Timberline is fitted with a slightly raised suspension and all-terrain tires for taming the trails. Ditto for the Honda Pilot Trailsport. But other automakers are going for an “off-road” look without adding any features or amenities that would benefit true off-the-beaten-path readiness. For instance, the GMC Terrain AT4 and Kia Sportage X-Pro are just appearance packages despite marketing efforts to make them appear more all-terrain capable. Another prime example is the Hyundai Tucson XRT.
The Tucson XRT is a good compact SUV. It’s pragmatic for its size, loaded with standard features at an agreeable price, is a bit more upscale than some of its rivals, sports sharp looks, and isn’t a dud to drive. But don’t be fooled by Hyundai’s marketing efforts — as this is not an off-road-ready SUV.
2022 Hyundai Tucson XRT
- 2.5-Liter Four-Cylinder Engine
- 10.25-Inch Digital Instrument Display
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Exclusive XRT Styling
- Hands-Free Liftgate
- Smart Cruise Control
- Wireless Device Charging
- Model: Tucson XRT
- Engine: 2.5-liter 4-cylinder
- Power Output: 187 HP
- Torque: 178 LB-FT
- Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
- Driveline: FWD/AWD
- MSRP: $33,145
- MSRP (As Tested): $34,790
- Chiseled, Rugged Looks
- Loaded With Standard Features
- Spacious Cabin
- No Real Off-Road Added Ability
- Lackluster Power Delivery
- Noisy Engine
What Sets The XRT Apart From The Standard Tucson?
Though Hyundai’s press images and advertisements for the Tucson XRT would have people believe they could navigate through rough terrain in the compact SUV, not all is as it seems. Like The Terrain AT4 and Sportage X-Pro, the Tucson XRT is the automotive equivalent of an executive suite businessman who leaves his suburban home on the weekend wearing a cowboy getup. It’s all for looks.
The XRT features a unique front and rear fascia with what Hyundai calls “rugged” detailing, extended side cladding, black wing mirrors, side window surrounds, side steps, roof cross rails, a tow hitch, and exclusive, black 19-inch alloy wheels.
Notice, added ground clearance, skid plates, a tuned suspension and/or gearbox, all-terrain tires, or standard all-wheel drive — the stuff that would help it truly be more off-road capable — are not included in that list. All-wheel drive is a $1,500 option, and the ground clearance is a not very impressive 7.1 inches in FWD models and 8.3 in AWD versions.
However, the XRT is perhaps the best-looking of the Tucson bunch. I consider black cladding to be a necessary evil — practical, but not necessarily attractive — but for the Tucson, it frames the chiseled profile lines well and adds brawniness to the front and rear fascia. The XRT-specific front “lip” also adds some beefiness, and the wheels, though not attractive on their own, fit the Tucson’s motif.
So then, the XRT looks good parked on a dirt trail even if it can’t traverse anything more challenging than that kind of path. But beyond its misleading clothes, it remains a strong choice in the compact SUV segment.
Tucson XRT Powertrain — Underpowered For Enthusiasts, But Fine For Commuting
All 2022 ICE-only Tucson models are powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine delivering 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The paddle shifters available in the upper trims of the Tucson are not equipped in the XRT.
The Tucson’s 2.5-liter engine is on par with its competitors for power. The Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-50 and Kia Sportage all offer 187-190 horsepower. And like its counterparts, the XRT certainly won’t win over any enthusiasts with its performance. The run from 0-60 mph takes a pedestrian 8.9 seconds, and the power seems to arrive in short bursts followed by stagnant umph instead of a steady delivery. But it feels sprightly enough under initial acceleration that most making a grocery run or fighting traffic on the daily commute that you won’t notice.
Those looking for more power should consider the Tucson Hybrid or PHEV, which offers 226 horsepower and 261 horsepower, respectively. Along with its better fuel economy, the PHEV feels far livelier and has a more linear delivery of its extra horses over the XRT. It’s also far less buzzy than the 2.5-liter engine, which delivers a lot of sound into the cabin under hard acceleration, and it’s not exactly a pleasant note.
From a driver’s perspective, the eight-speed automatic is welcome versus a CVT. Though it can be a bit bunglesome at lower speeds, and the engine’s inconsistent power delivery certainly doesn’t help in that regard, it’s otherwise relatively smooth and smart.
Driving Dynamics
The Tucson XRT’s road manners are comfortable enough to not be particularly noticeable. It’s well short of luxurious, but it irons out road imperfections to deliver a mostly smooth ride quality. From behind the wheel, the steering is appropriately light for a family SUV, but unlike some other compact SUVs, it doesn’t feel disconnected from the road.
Tucson XRT Cabin — Nicely Presented And Pragmatic
The XRT may not foot the bill for those looking for thrills behind the wheel, but buyers seeking a practical, small crossover for everyday family duties will not be left wanting for much more. There is not much competition for interior space among the compact SUV segment as all have similar dimensions, but the XRT is in the upper ranks for passenger space.
It offers a few more inches of headroom than the RAV4 and slightly more front and rear leg room than the Honda CR-V, but only by a small margin. Keeping with the theme, the Ford Escape is slightly more spacious for front passengers but not by much. Where the Tucson stands out is its commodious cargo area. Its 38.7 cubic feet of storage behind the second row of seats is well above the Kia Sportage and Escape, and only slightly below the 39.2 cubic inches offered by the segment-leading CR-V.
The Tucson XRT’s Features List Is Long
The Tucson outshines much of its rivals for amenities and cabin presentation. Its eye-catching exterior design extends to the cabin with a center stack is placed upon a swooping and rising dash adorned by curved vents. It’s certainly more attractive than some of the mundane cabins of its opponents. The XRT is based on the Tucson SEL, and is generously equipped with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob (the seats are cloth), heated front seats, rear air vents, dual-climate control, and other amenities.
Adding to the XRT’s appeal is a hands-free power liftgate, Hyundai’s Digital Key feature, and lumbar support for the driver’s seat. The XRT also has plenty of driver’s aids in the form of smart cruise control with stop and go, forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, blind spot and rear cross-traffic avoidance, and lane-keep assist.
Tucson XRT Pricing
The 2022 Hyudndai Tucson XRT starts at $33,145 with destination. Other than the option to equip AWD for $1,500, there are only a few factory accessories offered, so pricing shouldn’t exceed $36,000 MSRP. That’s certainly a respectable price for the features offered, but those who want the same equipment without the XRT’s appearance package can opt for the SEL with the Convenience Package and save some money in the process.
2022 Hyundai Tucson XRT Overall
The Tucson XRT might be wearing off-road clothes despite not possessing any such ability, but it is not difficult to look beyond that shortcoming considering the Tucson is otherwise a strong choice in its segment. It delivers the pragmaticism, everyday comfort, and spaciousness of its ilk while offering a more attractive cabin, eye-catching exterior looks, and a bevy of creature comforts. The Tucson XRT may give illusions of something it is not, but at its heart, it is a good compact SUV.