Hyundai Tucson vs iCAUR V23

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

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
iCAUR V23 in South Africa

iCAUR V23

2WD Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 519,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 100 kW 🔧 180 Nm ⛽ Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Hyundai Tucson vs iCAUR V23: the short answer

Tucson and V23 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

V23 starts ZAR 49,000 cheaper Tucson from ZAR 568,900 · V23 from ZAR 519,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Tucson V23
Maximum Power Tucson137 kW @ 3800 rpm V23100 kW
Maximum Torque Tucson416 Nm @ 2000 rpm V23180 Nm
Engine Size Tucson1995 cc V23Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
Combined Fuel Economy Tucson13.9 km/l V23Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
Ground Clearance Tucson181 mm V23190 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

V23

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

V23

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Tucson V23
Model Introduced Year 2004 2026
Generation Fourth generation Tucson on Hyundai's i-GMP platform; distinctive parametric design language makes it one of the more striking mid-size SUVs in SA South African May 2026 local specification sheet for the current V23 generation.
Facelift History Fourth generation launched in SA in 2021; major step change in styling, interior quality, and technology over the third-gen car -
Facelift Launched Since 2021 -
Facelift Version Ending Current -
Body Style SUV SUV
Color Note White, Black, Silver, Blue, Grey, Green -
Dealer Stock Note Executive grade in the South Africa lineup -
Drivetrain Note Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.0D AT Executive AWD -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active Published
Segment SUV Electric SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1720 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Passenger vehicle
Spec Tucson V23
Length 4630 mm 4220 mm
Width 1865 mm 1915 mm
Height 1665 mm 1845 mm
Wheelbase 2755 mm 2735 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 181 mm 190 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 165 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 54 l Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
Boot/Cargo Space 540 l 372 L rear seats up; 994 L with rear seats folded
Kerb Weight 1720 kg 1550–1850 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2110 kg 2085 kg
Payload Capacity 390 kg 350–650 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed -
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.4 m 5.9 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 1020 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 990 mm
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1060 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 970 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Tucson and V23 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. 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 V23 41.

Efficiency index: Tucson 56 vs V23 99.

Safety-equipment index: Tucson 92 vs V23 93.

Practicality index: Tucson 68 vs V23 60.

Ownership-cover index: Tucson 65 vs V23 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 V23 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 71 /100
Lead 0 points
Data 93% source coverage
71
#1 Evidence leader

Tucson

93% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Efficiency 56
Performance 69
Efficiency 56
Safety 92
Practicality 68
Ownership 65
Leads by 0 points
71
#2

V23

67% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 99 Check Performance 41
Performance 41
Efficiency 99
Safety 93
Practicality 60
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Tucson +28 Efficiency V23 +43 Safety V23 +1 Practicality Tucson +8

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 68/100
Ownership 65/100

V23

Performance 41/100
Efficiency 99/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 60/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Hyundai Tucson leads the specification evidence index with 71 pts vs 71 pts for V23

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Tucson leads. However, V23 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Tucson vs V23 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa 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.