2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2023 GMC Canyon

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was a unique entry in the pickup market, blending the compact dimensions reminiscent of mini trucks from the past with modern unibody construction and distinctive styling. At 4,970 millimetres long, it was significantly shorter than the Toyota Tacoma, yet nearly as wide, offering a compact yet robust presence. Its design was more akin to an SUV with a bed, featuring a toothy grille and integrated headlights, setting it apart from traditional pickups. The interior was straightforward, with a focus on practicality over rugged aesthetics, offering a design that was honest and appropriate for its price range.

In contrast, the 2023 GMC Canyon exuded a more aggressive and muscular appearance, with a broad grille and pronounced body creases. Sharing dimensions with the Chevy Colorado, it featured a longer wheelbase and a standard factory lift kit, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Canyon's design was further accentuated by the AT4X Edition 1 model, which included additional off-road features. Inside, the Denali trim offered a luxurious experience with leather upholstery and wood trim, while the AT4X provided a dramatic interior with bold colour schemes, making it a standout in the midsize truck segment.

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. It featured standard all-wheel drive and a multi-link suspension that provided a fun driving experience, even with a loaded bed. With a ground clearance of 21.8 cm, it offered some off-road capability, though it lacked features like low range and locking differentials. The Santa Cruz had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and a payload capacity of 864 kg, aligning more with midsize SUVs than traditional pickups.

The 2023 GMC Canyon, on the other hand, came with a 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered in a four-wheel-drive configuration in Canada. The Canyon's off-road prowess was highlighted by the AT4X model, which included features like electronic lockers and skid plates. It had a towing capacity of up to 3,492 kilograms on most trims, with the AT4X offering slightly less. The Canyon balanced on-road comfort with off-road capability, making it versatile for various driving conditions.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz featured a small truck bed measuring 1,323 mm, limiting its utility for larger cargo. However, it included practical features like a lockable tonneau cover, adjustable tailgate, and in-bed storage solutions. The crew-cab configuration provided seating for five, though rear-seat legroom was tight. The interior offered decent storage space, with a focus on practicality and user-friendly controls, though some functions relied on touch pads rather than physical buttons.

The 2023 GMC Canyon was available only in a crew cab with a 5.2-foot bed, offering competitive bed size for its class. It provided ample interior space, particularly in the first row, and included innovative features like the MultiStow tailgate with a waterproof storage compartment. However, it lacked a telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable front seats. The Canyon's towing and payload capacities were impressive, though slightly lower than some rivals, offering a balance of utility and comfort.

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 and digital instrument cluster, with additional features like wireless phone charging and Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics service. The system was user-friendly, with quick response times and clear graphics, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 GMC Canyon boasted an 11.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Google Built-In functionality. Higher trims included a head-up display and a Bose premium audio system. The infotainment system offered stunning graphics and intuitive menus, with features like an Off-Road Performance Display for adventurous drivers. The surround-view camera system provided additional safety and convenience, particularly for off-road navigation.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was recognized as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though it fell short of the top rating due to its standard halogen headlights. It offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The available Highway Driving Assist provided adaptive cruise control and lane centring, though it struggled with highway curves.

The 2023 GMC Canyon's safety ratings were not available at the time of publication, but it offered a range of driver-assist features. The standard Canyon Pro Safety Package included automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist, while higher trims added features like rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control. The Denali and AT4X trims included a Safety Alert Seat, enhancing driver awareness and safety.