2022 RAM 1500 vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz presented a unique blend of SUV and pickup truck aesthetics, reminiscent of the Subaru Baja or a smaller Honda Ridgeline. With its unibody construction and distinctive styling, it stood out on the road. 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, but it was larger than the Hyundai Tucson compact crossover SUV. The Santa Cruz's design featured a toothy grille and blended headlights, with the only traditional truck elements being the stamped tailgate name, plastic cladding, and chrome accents. The interior was more conventional, with a straightforward design that avoided faux ruggedness, offering appropriate materials for its price range.

In contrast, the 2022 RAM 1500 maintained a clean and contemporary design, with vestiges of the "big rig" styling that saved the Dodge Ram in the 1990s. The Limited trim, in particular, exuded luxury with its busy interior design featuring exposed stitching, mixed materials, and various patterns. The Indigo and Sea Salt two-tone colour scheme, along with the high-quality materials and construction, contributed to a sense of quality. The RAM 1500's design was understated, avoiding the flashy styling common in the segment, and the chrome elements complemented the overall look rather than appearing excessive.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It came standard with all-wheel drive, offering a fun driving experience with its multi-link suspension and self-leveling feature. The Santa Cruz had a ground clearance of 21.8 cm and a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kg, with a payload capacity of 864 kg. While it provided decent off-road capability, it lacked low range and locking differentials, making it less suitable for serious off-roading.

The 2022 RAM 1500 offered several engine options, including a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 with eTorque, a 5.7-litre Hemi V8, and a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in the TRX model. Our test truck featured the EcoDiesel engine, a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel V6 with 260 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The EcoDiesel's towing capacity reached up to 5,697 kg, with a payload capacity of 807 kg. The RAM 1500's coil-spring rear suspension and optional air suspension provided a smooth ride, and the interior was quiet, with low levels of wind, road, and engine noise. However, the brake pedal could be challenging to modulate in heavy traffic.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz had a small truck bed measuring 1,323 mm in length, limiting its utility for carrying larger items like bicycles or plywood. However, it included features like a lockable tonneau cover, adjustable tailgate, tie-down points, in-bed LED lighting, and a 115-volt power outlet. The Santa Cruz was available in a four-door crew-cab configuration with seating for five, though rear-seat legroom was tight. The front seats offered more space, and the centre console provided decent storage. The controls for heated and ventilated seats were conveniently placed, but the touch pads for audio and climate control were harder to use while driving.

The 2022 RAM 1500 featured power-deploying running boards, which could be turned on or off through the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The Limited trim offered heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and ample space, with a reclining back seat for added comfort. The cabin had practical storage options, including a centre console with trays and bins, rear centre armrest with a covered tray, and Ram Bins under the rear floor. The multi-function tailgate could support 900 kg and had a centre bed step for easier access. The RAM 1500 could also be equipped with RamBox storage bins, though our test vehicle did not have them.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, and a digital instrument cluster. The digital cluster displayed blind spot images from the surround-view camera system, and Hyundai's Blue Link telematics service included smartwatch and Google Assistant connectivity. The 10.25-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster in our test vehicle performed well, with quick boot-up and responsive inputs.

The 2022 RAM 1500 introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, optional on lower trims and standard from the Sport grade. It offered faster loading, quicker response, and a wider range of features. The 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 12-inch display available in higher trims. Our test vehicle had the 12-inch display, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and connected services. The system included a navigation system, 19-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound, and a Ramcharger wireless charging dock. However, the voice recognition system required specific language, and the system's complexity could pose challenges. Uconnect 5 represented an improvement over the previous system, despite some issues.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though it fell short of the top rating due to standard halogen headlights. It offered standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Ultimate grade added a surround-view camera system and Highway Driving Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring.

The 2022 RAM 1500 offered driver-assist features starting from the Big Horn trim, including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added features like automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Advanced Safety Group included these features, plus a head-up display and surround-view camera. Our test truck had rear parking sensors and a rear automatic braking system, though the latter proved incompatible with some driveways. The LaneSense lane-keep assist system was turned off for most of the test due to its insistent corrections. The RAM 1500 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.