2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 presented a robust and commanding presence with its boxy design, chiseled details, and flared fenders. The Northsky Blue paint and chrome trim added a touch of elegance, complemented by 20-inch polished aluminum wheels. However, the interior did not match the exterior's appeal, as it felt outdated with glossy plastic, large panel joints, and small infotainment screens. Despite the industrial silver accent trim, the cabin lacked a sense of quality and modernity.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a unique blend of SUV and truck aesthetics, reminiscent of the Subaru Baja or a smaller Honda Ridgeline. Its unibody construction and unorthodox styling, including a toothy grille and blended headlights, made it stand out on the road. The interior was more conventional, with an honest design that avoided faux ruggedness. The materials were appropriate for its price range, and the air vents integrated seamlessly with the dashboard trim, providing a cohesive look.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of engine options, with the Duramax turbodiesel being a standout choice for its fuel efficiency and torque. The 3.0-litre inline-six engine delivered 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, providing smooth acceleration after a brief turbo lag. The Silverado's towing capacity with the Duramax was 4,309 kg, while the maximum payload was 848 kg. However, the truck's suspension struggled with body movement on highways and rough terrain, making the Z71 Off-Road Package a recommended upgrade for better control.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz came equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The standard all-wheel drive and multi-link suspension provided a fun and comfortable driving experience, even with a loaded bed. The Santa Cruz's towing capacity was 2,268 kg, and the payload capacity was 864 kg, aligning more with midsize SUVs than traditional trucks. While not ideal for serious off-roading, the Santa Cruz offered respectable ground clearance and a smooth ride.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's crew cab provided ample interior space, with wide, supportive front seats offering power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat accommodated three adults comfortably, with heated outboard cushions and a power sliding rear window. The Silverado's bed was the deepest and roomiest among competitors, featuring a remote power-down tailgate and optional Multi-Flex tailgate design. However, storage innovation was lacking, with small compartments and missed opportunities for additional shelving.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz's small truck bed limited its utility, measuring 1,323 mm in length. Despite this, Hyundai included features like a lockable tonneau cover, tie-down points, and in-bed lighting to maximize space. The crew-cab configuration offered seating for five, though rear legroom was tight. Front-seat space was more generous, with good visibility. Storage was well-utilized, with a centre console and under-seat compartments, though touch pads for controls proved less user-friendly than physical buttons.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured the Chevrolet Infotainment System 3, with 7-inch and 8-inch screens offering quick response times and modern graphics. Standard connectivity included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with options for a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and a Bose premium sound system. The system was user-friendly, with stereo volume and tuning knobs, but the Bose speakers lacked premium quality. The Silverado also offered a head-up display and multiple camera views for towing and visibility.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz boasted an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster available on higher trims. The digital cluster displayed blind-spot images, and Hyundai's Blue Link telematics service offered smartwatch and Google Assistant connectivity. The touchscreen was responsive, with attractive graphics, and the instrument cluster was glare-resistant, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 received a "Marginal" rating from the IIHS for front passenger protection in small-overlap collisions, with "Poor" headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating, with four-star frontal-impact results. Standard safety features included forward collision alert, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring, with options for adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. However, the Silverado lacked stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with standard safety features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Ultimate grade offered a surround-view camera system and Highway Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane centring. While Hyundai's system performed well, it struggled with highway curves, a common issue among similar systems.