The Ford EcoSport and Hyundai Tucson compete in one of the largest and most-competitive segments, alongside many other compact SUVs. In order to keep buyers interested, SUV brands are offering more than ever at lower prices.

But price and value are often two different things, and sometimes a low price doesn’t equate to high value. And when comparing the 2020 Hyundai Tucson and 2020 Ford EcoSport, buyers could easily be misled by the EcoSport’s biggest advantage.

The 2020 Hyundai Tucson: benefits and drawbacks

The 2020 Hyundai Tucson comes with a decent starting base price of around $24,000. For that price, buyers can take advantage of the Tucson’s tremendous safety scores and suite of standard active safety features, modern and tech-packed interior, and Hyundai’s above-average warranty.

According to The Car Connection, the 2020 Hyundai Tucson comes standard with amenities like a 7.0-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The Tucson also comes with class-leading interior space for passengers and cargo.

Although the Hyundai Tucson packs plenty of value into its smaller SUV package, it may not give buyers everything. Unlike other SUVs in the segment, the Tucson offers no hybrid or electric powertrain.

Its gas-only engine is sufficient, but certainly not ideal for power-seeking buyers. And although buyers do get a variety of driver-assists, some are only available to top-trim Tucsons.

The 2020 Ford EcoSport: benefits and drawbacks

The 2020 Ford EcoSport’s base price is more affordable than the Tucson’s, at just over $21,000. Its pricing is extremely appealing within the smaller SUV segment, as is its easily maneuverable design.

But the EcoSport’s low price is reflected in its features and its biggest advantage. For this price, buyers will receive far fewer advanced safety features, technological amenities, and engine power than with other competitors in the segment.

In fact, according to U.S. News, all infotainment and active safety features are optional for buyers of the 2020 Ford EcoSport and not included in base models. Its smaller design is ideal for buyers looking for maneuverability, but not cargo or passenger space. There is also no available hybrid variant of the EcoSport. 

Does the Ford EcoSport really have the advantage over the Hyundai Tucson?

The Hyundai Tucson is more than a foot longer than the EcoSport, offering more space and comfort. Although Hyundai offers buyers two choices of engines, even the base, 161-hp four-cylinder engine produces more power and better performance than the EcoSport’s much-smaller, 125-hp three-cylinder engine.

The Hyundai Tucson also comes with more standard tech and safety features. The Ford EcoSport’s only real advantage over the Tucson is its lower base price. But that lower base price is deceiving.

Pricing is always a big factor in car shopping, but price tags don’t always guarantee value. As experts from Kelley Blue Book point out, the 2020 Ford EcoSport may come with a lower starting price, but the 2020 Hyundai Tucson’s starting price is still competitive for the segment and only slightly above the EcoSport’s.

In addition, this lower base price is misleading and shouldn’t even be considered an advantage, since its “base model is sorely lacking in features, and even more expensive trims can’t match what the Hyundai brings to the table.”

Even for buyers that choose the most basic models, the 2020 Hyundai Tucson is the better value. In order for EcoSport owners to match the features one would find in the Tucson, higher trims are the only option. This could easily result in a higher price tag than even lower-trim Tucsons. The EcoSport’s only advantage winds up being the reason why car shoppers should opt for the 2020 Hyundai Tucson.