2022 Ford F-150 Lightning vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, with its compact dimensions, evoked memories of the mini trucks from the 1970s to 1990s. However, its unibody construction and unique styling positioned it more as a modern iteration of the Subaru Baja or a smaller Honda Ridgeline. Measuring 4,970 mm in length, 1,905 mm in width, and 1,695 mm in height, the Santa Cruz was notably shorter than the Toyota Tacoma, yet nearly as wide. Its wheelbase of 3,005 mm was also shorter than the Tacoma's. Despite its compact size, the Santa Cruz was slightly larger than the 2022 Hyundai Tucson, giving it a distinct presence on the road. The exterior design, with its SUV-like appearance, toothy grille, and integrated headlights, made it stand out, while the interior offered a more conventional look with practical design elements suitable for its price range.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, despite being a groundbreaking electric vehicle, maintained a familiar appearance akin to other F-150 models. Available in XLT, Lariat, and Platinum trims in Canada, the Lightning featured a crew cab and a 5.5-foot bed. Its distinguishing features included a prominent LED headlight bar and a plastic façade replacing the traditional grille. The rear showcased badges and a taillight bar on higher trims. Inside, the Lightning offered ample space, with front-seat legroom of 111.5 cm and rear-seat legroom of 110.7 cm, making it more spacious than many two-row crossovers. The interior materials were of good quality, and the ergonomics were nearly perfect, reflecting Ford's extensive experience with the F-Series. The Lariat trim boasted a panoramic sunroof, under-seat storage, and a 9.6-kWh Pro Power Onboard power supply, enhancing its utility.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Standard all-wheel drive provided a dynamic driving experience, with the multi-link suspension offering impressive handling and ride quality. The Santa Cruz had a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kg and a payload capacity of 864 kg, aligning more with midsize SUVs than traditional pickups. Its 21.8 cm ground clearance and HTRAC AWD system offered some off-road capability, though it lacked features like low range and locking differentials.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, on the other hand, featured dual electric motors providing 426 horsepower with the standard range battery and 563 horsepower with the extended range battery, along with a remarkable 775 lb-ft of torque. All models came with all-wheel drive and a standard locking differential. The Lightning's range was estimated at 370 km with the standard battery and 515 km with the extended battery. Despite its weight, the Lightning offered rapid acceleration and a low centre of gravity, though it wasn't designed for cornering. The independent rear suspension, a departure from traditional leaf springs, was a notable engineering change to accommodate the battery packs. Charging options included 120-volt and 240-volt outlets, with fast charging capabilities at DC stations.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, with its 1,323 mm long bed, offered limited utility for larger cargo. However, it included features like a lockable tonneau cover, adjustable tailgate, tie-down points, and in-bed lighting and power outlet to maximize space. The crew-cab configuration provided seating for five, though rear-seat legroom was tight. Front-seat space was more generous, and the vehicle offered decent storage options, including a centre console and under-seat storage. The use of touch pads for controls was less user-friendly than physical buttons.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, as a pickup, offered significant functionality with its 5.5-foot bed and numerous tie-down points. Its standout feature was the 400-litre "Mega Power Frunk," providing additional storage with an underfloor bin and drain. The Lightning's Ford Intelligent Backup Power feature allowed it to serve as a backup generator, capable of powering a household for three days. The truck's towing capacity was 4,535 kg, with a payload capacity of 907 kg, though these figures could impact driving range. Onboard scales helped manage payload weight and range estimates.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, and a digital instrument cluster with blind-spot camera views. The system was responsive and visually appealing, with Hyundai's Blue Link telematics service providing additional connectivity options.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning was equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen running Sync 4, with higher trims featuring a 15-inch portrait-oriented screen. While visually impressive, the larger screen's layout was less intuitive. The Lariat trim included an 8-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, wireless charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system also offered games, providing entertainment during charging sessions.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was designated a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though it fell short of the top rating due to standard halogen headlights. It offered a range of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Ultimate grade added a surround-view camera system and Highway Driving Assist, though the latter struggled with highway curves.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning came with Ford's Co-Pilot 360 ADAS, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, and optional Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The Lariat level offered Ford BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system with a driver-facing camera for added safety.