2023 Jeep Gladiator 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 over 40 cm shorter than the shortest Toyota Tacoma, yet nearly as wide. Its wheelbase of 3,005 mm was also significantly shorter. Despite its compact size, it was larger than the 2022 Hyundai Tucson, making it a standout on the road with its SUV-like appearance, toothy grille, and integrated headlights. The interior, though conventional, was honest in design, with materials appropriate for its price range, and featured well-integrated air vents and practical controls.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator retained its rugged charm with minimal changes, introducing a new High Velocity Yellow paint and added features for specific models. The Gladiator Mojave, our test model, was equipped for high-speed desert driving with Fox shocks, a suspension lift, and all-terrain tires. Its design, based on the Wrangler, featured a longer wheelbase and fortified frame, giving it a unique look akin to a mullet. Inside, the Gladiator mirrored the Wrangler's utilitarian style, with easy-to-clean materials and practical features like drain holes in the floorboards. The Mojave's interior was enhanced with orange accents and fabric seats, offering a sense of quality despite its basic nature.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was powered by 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 came standard with all-wheel drive, providing a fun driving experience with its multi-link suspension and self-leveling feature. The Santa Cruz offered a ground clearance of 21.8 cm and a towing capacity of 2,268 kg, aligning more with midsize SUVs than traditional pickups. However, its off-road capabilities were limited due to the lack of low range and locking differentials.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator offered two engine choices: a standard 3.6-litre V6 with 285 horsepower and an optional 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 with 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Gladiator Mojave, equipped with the gas V6, featured Command-Trac 4WD and a locking rear differential. It excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its Fox shocks and high-clearance fender flares. However, the Gladiator was noisy inside, with engine and wind noise being constant companions. Its powertrain provided good low-speed throttle response, but passing power was only adequate. The Mojave's suspension offered a smooth ride on rough terrain, but its steering precision was lacking on highways and narrow roads.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz featured a small truck bed measuring 1,323 mm in length, limiting its utility for larger cargo. However, it included practical features like a lockable tonneau cover, tie-down points, and in-bed lighting. The crew-cab configuration offered seating for five, with tight rear legroom but decent front-seat space. Storage was ample, with a centre console, under-seat bins, and well-placed controls.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator's crew cab provided roomy rear seats with good legroom, though taller passengers might find the plastic seatback panels uncomfortable. Storage options included door panel netting, cupholders, and a deep centre armrest bin. The Gladiator's steel cargo box measured 1,531 mm in length and offered features like a spray-in bedliner and adjustable tie-downs. A portable Bluetooth speaker and best-in-class payload capacity of 775 kg added to its utility.

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 system was responsive and visually appealing, with features like a surround-view camera and Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics service.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator, despite its rugged appearance, offered modern tech features. A standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was available, while an 8.4-inch system with navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot was optional. The Mojave test vehicle included these features, along with a portable Bluetooth speaker and a nine-speaker Alpine sound system. However, the voice recognition system was less reliable, and the adaptive cruise control and safety features were effective.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with standard features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. A surround-view camera and Highway Driving Assist were available on higher trims. The NHTSA ratings were not available at the time.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator offered basic standard safety features, with optional packages adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Gladiator received a four-star frontal-impact rating from the NHTSA, but its headlights were rated as Marginal by the IIHS.