2023 Chevrolet Colorado 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-day 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 larger than the 2022 Hyundai Tucson, giving it a distinct presence on the road. The SUV-like appearance, with a toothy grille and integrated headlights, set it apart from traditional pickups, while features like the "Santa Cruz" stamped tailgate and chrome accents added a touch of truck styling. The interior, though conventional, was honest in design, with well-integrated air vents and appropriate materials for its price range, emphasizing its role as a rugged adventure vehicle.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss, with its factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders, and sculpted hood, presented a rugged off-road persona. The styling was well-balanced, with a stance and detailing that didn't overdo it. Inside, the Colorado drew inspiration from the Camaro, evident in the dashboard toggle switches and air vents. However, the base Work Truck (WT) and Trail Boss trims had a grey front fascia and a less appealing interior. The Trail Boss did feature a front skid plate, but the interior's plastic feel and lack of colour contrast were noticeable. The Colorado offered various trims, with the Trail Boss and Z71 featuring more powerful engine options. Our Trail Boss test model, with its red paint and several packages, had an MSRP of $50,844, showcasing its off-road capabilities and robust design.

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. All-wheel drive was standard, enhancing its driving dynamics. The multi-link suspension provided a fun driving experience, with a self-levelling feature for a loaded bed. Despite its 20-inch wheels, the ride quality was impressive, and cabin noise was minimal. The turbo engine offered ample power, though towing capabilities were not tested. With 21.8 cm of ground clearance, the Santa Cruz was not ideal for serious off-roading, lacking low range and locking differentials. Its towing capacity was 2,268 kg, and payload capacity was 864 kg, aligning more with midsize SUVs than traditional pickups.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado featured a turbocharged 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine across all trims. The WT and LT trims offered 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the Trail Boss and Z71 provided 310 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. The ZR2 trim had a high-output version with 430 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with the Trail Boss and Z71 featuring a two-speed transfer case for enhanced off-road performance. The Trail Boss had a 5-cm suspension lift and all-terrain tires, while the ZR2 boasted a 7.6-cm lift and mud-terrain tires. The Colorado offered five driving modes, including an exclusive Baja mode for the ZR2. The Trail Boss excelled off-road, with its 24.1 cm ground clearance and robust suspension. On pavement, it was quiet and handled well, though the fuel economy was disappointing at 13.8 L/100 km. The powertrain provided swift acceleration, but the engine note was less engaging compared to competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz had a maximum payload capacity of 864 kg, but its 1,323 mm long bed limited utility. Typical cargo like bicycles or plywood required creative solutions for transport. However, Hyundai included features like a lockable tonneau cover, adjustable tailgate, tie-down points, and in-bed lighting to maximize space. The Santa Cruz was available only in a four-door crew-cab configuration, with tight rear-seat legroom but decent front-seat space. Storage was ample, with a centre console and under-seat compartments. The controls for heated and ventilated seats were well-placed, though touch pads for audio and climate functions were less user-friendly.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss offered comfortable seating for four, with the option to squeeze a fifth passenger. The standard cloth upholstery attracted pet hair, but the eight-way power driver's seat provided a proper driving position. The back seat had adequate headroom and legroom, with rear air conditioning vents standard on most trims. The air conditioning system was effective, and the Trail Boss featured manual climate controls. Soft-touch surfaces were limited, and storage space was lacking, with small door trays and a narrow centre armrest compartment. The cargo bed measured 1,567 mm in length, with an EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate and StowFlex storage panel. The Mid-Position tailgate feature allowed for carrying long items, supporting up to 225 kg.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz came with a standard 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. 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 10.25-inch touchscreen and digital cluster in our test vehicle were impressive, with quick response times and clear graphics.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado was equipped with digital instrumentation and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology. Even the base WT trim had these features, with an 8-inch screen for instrumentation. The Google-based tech offered natural voice recognition, updated navigation, and app access. The infotainment system supported Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, OnStar, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Wireless charging was available, and the standard six-speaker stereo was decent. The Colorado also featured trailer-towing technology and high-definition cameras for easier hitching and off-roading.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. A surround-view camera system and Highway Driving Assist were available on higher trims. The system performed well but struggled with highway curves, a common issue among similar systems.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including OnStar emergency calling and a Teen Driver system. Chevy Safety Assist was standard, with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. However, the forward-collision warning system was prone to false alerts, requiring adjustment to the gap setting for better performance.