2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2023 RAM 1500

The 2023 RAM 1500 presented a robust and versatile appearance, available in both quad cab and larger crew cab configurations. The crew cab offered a choice between a 6-foot, 4-inch bed or a 5-foot, 7-inch bed, as seen in the review model. The RAM 1500 Limited trim, nearly at the top of its eight available trims, featured a $3,895 Night Edition package that replaced the usual chrome with a stealthier look, including 22-inch black aluminum wheels. Inside, the Limited trim was adorned with leather, contrasting stitching, and open-pore wood on the dash, complemented by metallic trim. The 12-inch portrait-oriented screen added a unique touch to the interior, alongside practical features like chunky volume controls and a Ram logo on the dash.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, although not a traditional pickup truck, was a unibody crossover with a small bed attached to the rear. It was available in two trims in Canada: Preferred and Ultimate. The Santa Cruz was about 35 centimetres longer than the Hyundai Tucson, sharing a similar front end with a distinctive Tron-like grille. The design was intentional, with protruding fenders and a sharply raked C-pillar. Inside, the Santa Cruz was neither overly luxurious nor sparse, featuring a funky four-spoked steering wheel and high-quality materials. The interior design included a thin horizontal bar of trim that delineated driver and passenger spaces, continuing onto the upper door panels for a cohesive look.

The 2023 RAM 1500 offered a choice between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) drivetrains, with a variety of engine options. The standard engine on lower trims was a 3.6-litre V6 with Ram’s eTorque 48-volt mild hybrid system, while a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 was optional on lower trims and standard on upper trims. A 3.0-litre EcoDiesel engine was available on all but the top TRX trim, which featured a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine. The V8 engine produced 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, with the eTorque system providing up to 130 lb-ft of supplemental torque at takeoff. The 8-speed automatic transmission was smooth and well-matched to the engine. The RAM 1500 had a maximum towing capacity of 5,783 kilograms and could haul up to 1,043 kilograms of payload. The TRX trim, with its 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, was designed for off-road performance.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Canada was sold exclusively with all-wheel drive (AWD) and featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 282 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, offering smooth shifts and paddle shifters for more control. The Santa Cruz excelled in ride quality and maneuverability, making it ideal for city driving. It had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms with a braked trailer and a payload capacity of 640 kilograms. The AWD system included a centre locking differential for better off-road performance, although the Santa Cruz was best suited for gravel roads due to its limited ground clearance and geometry.

The 2023 RAM 1500 featured numerous storage options, including a two-tiered centre console and a large centre console capable of holding a laptop, purse, and snacks. The front seats were heated and cooled, with eight-way adjustability, and the rear seats reclined up to eight degrees. The crew cab provided ample rear legroom at 1,148 millimetres, and the multifunction tailgate could open in multiple ways. The RamBox storage system offered lockable storage integrated into the rear quarter panel.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, while not a traditional pickup, offered practical utility with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and a bed measuring 1,230 millimetres long and nearly 1,368 mm wide. The bed included lockable underfloor storage and side cubbies, with multiple tie-down points and sliding rail anchors. The rear seats folded up for additional cargo space, although rear legroom was limited to 926 mm. The Santa Cruz featured heated front seats with three levels of adjustability, and the Ultimate trim offered ventilated seats.

The 2023 RAM 1500 received a tech upgrade with an available 12-inch gauge cluster, although the test model did not include it. The upper trims featured a 12-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, allowing for dual-function display. The Uconnect system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though there was some lag with Apple CarPlay. The optional Equipment Group 1 added features like a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system. The RAM 1500 Limited included multiple USB outlets, a wireless charging pad, and 115-volt and 12-volt outlets.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Canada came with a 10.25-inch display infotainment system, offering only wired smartphone compatibility. The system was intuitive and responsive, but lacked a physical volume knob, relying on touch-sensitive buttons. The Ultimate trim included a Bose premium audio system and dual-zone automatic climate controls. Charging options were limited, with dual USB-A ports up front and two additional USB-A ports for rear passengers in the Ultimate trim. Wireless charging was available only on the Ultimate trim.

The 2023 RAM 1500 lacked standard advanced driver-assist systems, with features like forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring being optional or part of a package. The NHTSA gave the RAM 1500 crew cab a five-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it Good in most categories, with some Marginal ratings for seat belt reminders and LATCH ease of use.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a comprehensive set of advanced driver-assistance systems, including forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision avoidance, and lane-keep assist. The Ultimate trim featured Hyundai’s Highway Drive Assist and a blind-spot view monitor. The NHTSA gave the Santa Cruz a five-star front crash rating and a four-star rollover rating. The IIHS rated the 2023 model highly, with improvements in the 2024 model’s headlamps.