Used Honda CR-V Mk5 (2018–23) vs Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL (2015–20)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used family suv? We compare the Honda CR-V Mk5 (2018–2023) and Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL (2015–2020), which were on sale at the same time, on size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how cars of their age do in real MOT tests.
The short answer
The Honda CR-V Mk5 comes out ahead, with the bigger boot and the better MOT record; the Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL is close on everything else.
- The Honda CR-V Mk5 has the biggest boot: 561 litres, 48 more than the Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL.
- The Honda CR-V Mk5 has the better MOT record for its age: the Honda CR-V Mk5 fails its MOT 39% less often than average for its age (10% of Honda CR-Vs built 2018–2021 failed first time in 2024, against 16% of all cars that age), while the Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL fails its MOT 5% less often than average for its age (18% of Hyundai Tucsons built 2015–2020 failed first time in 2024, against 19% of all cars that age).
- Watch the brakes on a Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL: it fails on them 1.7 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Honda CR-V Mk5Mk5 (2018–2023), 5-door SUV | Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TLMk3 TL (2015–2020), 5-door SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door SUV | 5-door SUV |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 561 litres / 1,756 (best) | 513 litres / 1,503 |
| Length | 4,600mm | 4,475mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | – | 1,850mm |
| Height | 1,679mm | 1,645mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 173–193 PS (best) | 115–185 PS |
| 0–62mph | 8.8–10.0 sec | from 8.9 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2019) | ★★★★★ (2015) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Hybrid, Petrol | – |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 31.7–42.8 mpg | – |
| CO2 | 151–201 g/km | – |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.8p a litre, today's UK average | £1,472 (39.8 mpg) | – |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,472 (petrol) | – |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £35 to £445 | – |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 134Well above average (best) | 104Above average |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 9.7% (15.9%)built 2018–2021 (best) | 17.9% (18.9%)built 2015–2020 |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 25.1% | 18.2% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 7.5% (best) | 13.3% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 9.4% (best) | 15.4% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 18.0% | – |
| Most common MOT fault | Position lamp (2.5% of tests) | Brake pads (3.2% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Nothing stands out | Brakes (1.7×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 188,665 | 134,449 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Family SUV | Family SUV |
| Owners' average miles a year | 8,200 | 8,500 |
| On sale | 2018–2023 | 2015–2020 |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is a used Honda CR-V Mk5 or Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL more reliable?
The Honda CR-V Mk5. Compared with all cars the same age, the Honda CR-V Mk5 fails its MOT 39% less often than average and the Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL 5% less often than average (DVSA MOT tests, 2024). Because they're different ages, their raw rates differ: 9.7% of Honda CR-Vs built 2018–2021 failed first time, and 17.9% of Hyundai Tucsons built 2015–2020. Whatever you buy, check the MOT history of the exact car.
›Which is bigger, the Honda CR-V Mk5 or the Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL?
The Honda CR-V Mk5 is 125mm longer (4,600mm against 4,475mm). The Honda CR-V Mk5 has the bigger boot: 561 litres against 513.
›Which is safer, the Honda CR-V Mk5 or the Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL?
Euro NCAP gave the Honda CR-V Mk5 5 stars (2019) and the Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL 5 stars (2015). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Honda CR-V Mk5 or the Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL?
The Honda CR-V Mk5 comes out ahead, with the bigger boot and the better MOT record; the Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL is close on everything else. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.