Hyundai Tucson vs Lexus UX

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Hyundai Tucson in South Africa

Hyundai Tucson

2.0D AT Executive AWD Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 764,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 137 kW 🔧 416 Nm ⛽ 13.9 km/l
VS
Lexus UX in South Africa

Lexus UX

UX 300h EX Hybrid e-CVT Current
ZAR 957,100 ex-showroom
⚡ 146 kW 🔧 188 Nm ⛽ 23.8 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Hyundai Tucson vs Lexus UX: the short answer

Tucson and UX are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Tucson starts ZAR 388,200 cheaper Tucson from ZAR 568,900 · UX from ZAR 957,100

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Tucson UX
Maximum Power Tucson137 kW @ 3800 rpm UX146 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque Tucson416 Nm @ 2000 rpm UX188 Nm
Engine Size Tucson1995 cc UX2000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Tucson13.9 km/l UX23.8 km/l
Ground Clearance Tucson181 mm UX160 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

Tucson

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

UX

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

Tucson

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

UX

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Tucson UX
360 Degree Camera Yes Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control Yes Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Adaptive Cruise Control Yes Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Around View Monitor Yes Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking Yes Standard
Auto Lights Yes -
Auto Wipers No Auto,Rainsensing
Blind Spot Monitoring Yes -
Blind Spot Warning Yes -
Cruise Control Yes Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Eco Mode Yes -
Emergency Braking Yes -
EV Mode No -
Lane Departure Warning Yes Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Lane Keep Assist Yes Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Parking Distance Sensors Front & Rear -
Parking Sensor Front & Rear -
Parking Sensors Front & Rear Standard Front + Rear,Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Pre-Collision System Yes -
Rain Sensor Wipers No -
Rear View Camera Yes EMV// With guidelines
Rear Cross Traffic Alert Yes -
Rear View Camera Yes -
Reverse Camera Yes EMV// With guidelines
Reverse Camera Type Yes -
Reversing Camera Yes -
Sport Mode No -
Surround View Camera Yes Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition No Standard
Rear Parking Sensors Front & Rear Standard Front + Rear,Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Driver Fatigue Alert Not Available -
Auto Highbeam Not Available Standard
Park Assist Not Available -
Forward Collision Warning Not Available Standard
Spec Tucson UX
4WD Engagement Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles Yes -
Axle Layout All-Wheel Drive FWD
Differential Lock No -
Drivetrain 4WD / AWD FWD
Drivetrain Layout AWD FWD
Engine Position Front -
Number of Gears 7 Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator Yes -
Gear Shift Type 8-speed Automatic Automatic
Gearbox 8-speed Automatic ECVT
Gearbox Type 8-speed Automatic ECVT
LSD Available Yes -
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters Yes -
Transmission Speeds 7 Not Applicable
Transmission Type Automatic ECVT
Transfer Case Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Selector Not Applicable Not Applicable
Low Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio Not Applicable -
Clutch Type Not Applicable -

In depth: how these cars differ

This Tucson and UX comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Tucson 69 vs UX 55.

Efficiency index: Tucson 56 vs UX 92.

Safety-equipment index: Tucson 92 vs UX 93.

Practicality index: Tucson 73 vs UX 55.

Ownership-cover index: Tucson 65 vs UX not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Tucson leads by 0 points

Tucson and UX are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 72 /100
Lead 0 points
Data 90% source coverage
72
#1 Evidence leader

Tucson

90% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Efficiency 56
Performance 69
Efficiency 56
Safety 92
Practicality 73
Ownership 65
Leads by 0 points
72
#2

UX

67% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Performance 55
Performance 55
Efficiency 92
Safety 93
Practicality 55
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Tucson +14 Efficiency UX +36 Safety UX +1 Practicality Tucson +18

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Tucson

Performance 69/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 73/100
Ownership 65/100

UX

Performance 55/100
Efficiency 92/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 55/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Hyundai Tucson leads the specification evidence index with 72 pts vs 72 pts for UX

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Tucson leads. However, UX may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Tucson vs UX questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.