2023 RAM 2500 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 over 40 cm shorter than the shortest Toyota Tacoma, yet nearly as wide. Its wheelbase of 3,005 mm was notably shorter than the Tacoma's, but it was slightly larger than the 2022 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 reminiscent of the Tucson. The truck's exterior was complemented by 20-inch wheels, with an option for 18-inch wheels for off-roading. Inside, the Santa Cruz offered a straightforward design, with materials that matched its price range and purpose as a rugged adventure vehicle.

The 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel shared a familiar look with the Power Wagon, minus the graphics, badging, and some features like the 12,000-pound Warn winch. Instead, it sported an aluminum sport hood, 20-inch wheels, and a sleek blacked-out appearance. The Rebel came with a Rebel-specific grille and a crew-cab configuration with a 193-cm cargo bed. It featured a standard 6.4-litre V8 engine, similar to the Power Wagon, but also offered a 6.7-litre Cummins turbodiesel inline-six, which was not available in the Power Wagon due to cooling requirements. The base price for the 2023 Ram 2500 Rebel was set at $79,195, excluding destination charges. The Rebel benefited from updates across the Ram lineup, including a new 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and enhanced towing features. The interior boasted quality materials and a luxurious appearance, though the gloss black plastic around the infotainment system was prone to dust and fingerprints.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Canada 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 and standard all-wheel drive. The Santa Cruz's multi-link suspension provided an enjoyable driving experience, with a self-leveling feature for a loaded bed. Despite its 20-inch wheels, the ride quality was commendable, and cabin noise was minimal. The turbo engine offered ample power for everyday driving, 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 maximum towing capacity was 2,268 kg, and the payload capacity was 864 kg, aligning more with midsize SUVs than traditional pickup trucks.

The 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel came standard with a 6.4-litre V8 engine, producing 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. The part-time transfer case offered 4-Hi and 4-Lo settings, with a front-axle disconnect system for improved fuel efficiency. The Rebel also offered a 6.7-litre Cummins turbodiesel engine, generating 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The diesel option was a costly upgrade, and the V8 was necessary for the Rebel's maximum towing capacity of 7,652 kg and payload capacity of 1,455 kg. The Cummins engine provided better fuel economy, with observed figures of 12.3 L/100 km on highways and up to 16.0 L/100 km with off-roading. The Rebel's frame was constructed of 98.5% high-strength steel, and it featured a five-link rear suspension for superior ride and handling. Off-road capabilities were enhanced with 20-inch wheels, 33-inch tires, and skid plates, making it nearly as capable as the Power Wagon.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a maximum payload capacity that was impressive for its size, but its 1,323 mm long truck bed limited utility. Typical cargo like bicycles or plywood sheets 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 seating for five. Rear-seat space was tight, but front-seat space was more generous, and visibility was good. Storage was ample, with a centre console and under-seat compartments, though touch pads for controls were less user-friendly than physical buttons.

The 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel required some physical effort to enter and exit, with large handles for assistance. The interior featured a column shifter for the Cummins engine, which felt less refined than the rotary dial in the V8 model. Depending on the configuration, the Rebel offered cloth or leather upholstery and bench or bucket seats. Our test vehicle had premium leather and bucket seats, which were comfortable for long drives. The Mega Cab back seat was spacious, with amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. Storage was abundant, with hidden compartments and bins throughout the cabin. The cargo box offered options like a spray-in bedliner and LED lighting, with the Ram Box storage bins being a standout feature.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, and a digital instrument cluster. The digital cluster could display 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 responsive and visually appealing, with quick boot-up times and intuitive graphics.

The 2023 RAM 2500 introduced a new 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, offering customizable display configurations. The system was controlled via steering wheel buttons and required familiarization to avoid distraction. Ram enhanced its exterior camera systems and trailering technologies, including blind-spot cameras and a digital rearview mirror. Trailer Reverse Steering Control was a new feature, allowing for easier trailer maneuvering. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a premium sound system. The screen was bright and visible, with configurable home screens and easy-to-navigate menus. The voice-recognition system was effective for common queries, though not as advanced as smartphone assistants.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was designated 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 for highway driving but struggled with curves, a common issue among similar systems.

The 2023 RAM 2500 offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The systems were effective on open highways, though performance in denser traffic was untested. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the truck's size and weight provided a sense of security.