2022 Toyota Tundra 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, but it was larger than the 2022 Hyundai Tucson, making it a distinctive presence on the road. The Santa Cruz's SUV-like appearance, with a bed, a toothy grille, and integrated headlights, set it apart from traditional small pickups. The interior, though conventional, was honest in design, with well-integrated air vents and materials that matched its rugged adventure vehicle persona.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra marked the beginning of its third generation, with every component redesigned, including the turn signal stalks. The exterior boasted a dynamic and expressive look, featuring a large hexagonal grille with various trim-matched patterns and branding. The TRD Pro trim stood out with "TOYOTA" badging in retro letters above an LED strip light. The Tundra's body had a chiseled and muscular appearance, with pronounced wheel arches and a neatly tucked rear. Inside, the Tundra embraced premium materials and amenities, with a 14-inch touchscreen display standard on Limited and Platinum grades. The interior design echoed the exterior's shapes, creating a cohesive vehicle design. The Tundra aimed to be a versatile adventure vehicle for families, with thoughtful design elements and a focus on premium features.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Canada came 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 and standard all-wheel drive. The Santa Cruz's driving experience was more akin to a sporty SUV than a traditional truck, thanks to its multi-link suspension with a self-leveling feature. It offered a smooth ride and low cabin noise, even on 20-inch wheels. With a ground clearance of 21.8 cm, the Santa Cruz was capable of light off-roading, but its lack of low range and locking differentials limited its off-road prowess. The Santa Cruz had a towing capacity of 2,268 kg and a payload capacity of 864 kg, aligning more with midsize SUVs than traditional pickups.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra introduced two new engines, moving away from the previous 5.7-litre V8. The base i-Force engine, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6, produced 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, while the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain delivered 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Tundra's fuel consumption varied, with the RWD model rated at 11.8 L/100 km combined, and the 4WD and hybrid models at 12.2 L/100 km combined. The new chassis and suspension improved handling, with a front independent double-wishbone setup and a rear multi-link suspension. The Tundra excelled in off-road conditions, especially with the TRD Off-Road package, and offered a smooth and enjoyable driving experience on winding roads.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a maximum payload capacity of 864 kg, but its 1,323 mm long truck bed limited its utility for larger cargo. Hyundai included features like a lockable tonneau cover, adjustable tailgate, tie-down points, in-bed LED lighting, and a 115-volt power outlet to maximize the available space. The Santa Cruz was available only in a four-door crew-cab configuration, with seating for five. Rear-seat legroom was tight, but front-seat space was more generous. The interior featured a decent amount of storage space, with a centre console and under-seat storage bins. However, the use of touch pads for controls made them harder to use while driving.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra came in Double Cab or CrewMax configurations, both offering five-passenger seating. The Double Cab had 846 mm of rear seat legroom, while the CrewMax offered 1,057 mm. The Tundra featured an aluminum-reinforced composite bed, available in various lengths, with a maximum payload capacity of 880 kg. The Tundra's towing capacity reached 5,443 kg, with standard trailer sway control and TOW/HAUL mode. Inside, the Tundra prioritized smart storage solutions, like a sliding tray in the front centre armrest and a conveniently placed 12-volt power tap. The cabin design focused on buyer convenience and practicality.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 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 optional surround-view camera system. Hyundai's Blue Link telematics service included smartwatch and Google Assistant connectivity. The touchscreen and digital cluster were responsive and visually appealing, with unique graphics like a radio-station display with old-fashioned vacuum tubes.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra introduced a new infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on SR and SR5 trims, and a 14-inch touchscreen on Limited and above. A 12-speaker JBL premium audio system was standard on upper grades. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all models. Toyota Connected services, Safety Connect, Service Connect, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM were included, with a Qi-compatible charge pad available on upper trims. The Tundra offered a combination analog/digital instrument panel on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch digital panel on upper trims. Off-roaders benefited from the multi-terrain select system, crawl control, and downhill assist control, enhancing the Tundra's off-road capabilities.

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 on the Preferred grades. NHTSA ratings were not available. Hyundai offered standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Ultimate grade included a surround-view camera system and Highway Driving Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra had not yet received crash-test safety ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. The Star Safety System was standard, featuring enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on most SR and SR5 models and standard on higher trims.