2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty 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 reinterpretation 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 slightly larger than the Hyundai Tucson compact crossover SUV. The Santa Cruz's design leaned more towards an SUV with a bed, featuring a distinctive grille and integrated headlights, making it stand out on the road. The interior, while conventional, was honest in its design, with materials that matched its price range and purpose as a rugged adventure vehicle.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty underwent a visual evolution rather than a complete redesign. Available in multiple trims, from the basic XL to the luxurious Limited, the F-250 offered a range of features. The King Ranch trim, which we tested, showcased 20-inch alloy wheels, a two-tone paint job, and less chrome than previous versions. The interior of the King Ranch was luxurious, with two-tone brown leather, perforated seats, and the signature Flying W logo. The F-250 also featured a spray-in bed liner, LED in-bed lighting, and fifth-wheel towing prep. The Platinum and Limited trims offered even more features, with the Limited trim boasting nearly every package and option available.

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. All-wheel drive was standard, and the Santa Cruz offered a fun driving experience with its multi-link suspension and self-leveling feature. Despite its impressive ride quality and low cabin noise, the Santa Cruz's off-road capabilities were limited, with 21.8 cm of ground clearance and no low range or locking differentials. Its towing capacity was 2,268 kg, and the payload capacity was 864 kg, aligning more with midsize SUVs than traditional pickup trucks.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered four engine options, starting with a 6.8-litre gas V8 producing 400 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. The 7.3-litre V8 provided 430 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.7-litre PowerStroke turbodiesel V8 delivered 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. The high-output PowerStroke turbodiesel engine, featured in our test model, boasted 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. The F-250's 10-speed automatic transmission ensured optimal power delivery, and the truck's towing capacity reached up to 18,140 kg with the right configuration. The F-250 also offered features like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, enhancing its towing capabilities.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz's small truck bed, measuring 1,323 mm, limited its utility, as it couldn't fully accommodate items like bicycles or 4x8 sheets of plywood. However, Hyundai included features like a lockable tonneau cover, height-adjustable tailgate, tie-down points, and in-bed LED lighting to maximize the available space. The Santa Cruz was available only in a four-door crew-cab configuration, with seating for five. While 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 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in regular cab, SuperCab, and Super Crew configurations, with either a 6.75-foot or 8-foot bed. The SuperCab's rear-hinged clamshell doors provided a wide opening, though they required the front doors to be open. Our test model featured a Warn winch and a soft-opening tailgate, with bed steps for easier access. Inside, the F-250 offered ample storage, with numerous cupholders, a massive centre storage bin, dual glove boxes, and space in the doors. The Super Crew model's rear seats folded up to create a large cargo area.

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 optional surround-view camera system, and Hyundai's Blue Link telematics service provided smartwatch and Google Assistant connectivity. The touchscreen and digital cluster in our test vehicle were responsive and visually appealing, with quick boot-up times and intuitive graphics.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our test model featured a larger 12-inch screen with wireless connectivity options and a logical control layout. The F-250 also offered multiple USB ports, a wall-style power outlet, and wireless device charging. Ford's Trailer Navigation system allowed drivers to input trailer weight and dimensions, optimizing routes to avoid potential hazards.

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

Starting at the XLT trim, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty included the Ford CoPilot 360 suite of driver assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Our test model featured dual-tier power-adjustable trailer mirrors and a trailer blind-spot monitoring system. Ford also offered a backup camera for when the tailgate was lowered, enhancing safety during towing.