2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2023 Toyota Tacoma

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma was a midsize truck that offered a more compact alternative to full-size pickups like the Ford F-150 or Toyota Tundra. Despite being shorter, the Tacoma maintained an assertive stance with its upright grille and tall bed, giving it a substantial appearance without the bulk. Toyota provided a wide range of trim levels, from the base model to the off-road-oriented TRD Pro, which featured unique styling elements and off-road enhancements. Inside, the Tacoma varied from basic to well-appointed, with options for leather upholstery and heated seats, making it a versatile choice for different preferences.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, although not a traditional pickup, was a unibody crossover with a small bed, offering a unique blend of utility and style. It was longer than the Hyundai Tucson, sharing a similar front-end design with a distinctive grille. The Santa Cruz's interior was neither overly luxurious nor sparse, featuring high-quality materials and a cohesive design. The four-spoked steering wheel added a touch of funkiness, and the fit and finish were commendable for its price point. The Santa Cruz stood out with its intentional design elements, making it a vehicle that didn't blend in easily.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma in Canada came standard with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 offered more power than the base four-cylinder engine available in other markets, the Tacoma wasn't particularly quick, requiring a heavy foot to reach highway speeds. The truck's off-road-oriented suspension handled rough city streets well, but its steering felt vague, and it tended to wander on paved roads. Fuel economy was a concern, with the TRD Pro model delivering 14.4 L/100 km in winter conditions.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Canada was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 282 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. This powertrain provided a peppy performance, with smooth shifts and paddle shifters for added control. The Santa Cruz excelled in ride quality and maneuverability, making it a great city car. Its AWD system, with a centre locking differential and hill-descent control, allowed for some off-road capability, although its ground clearance and geometry limited its off-road prowess.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma offered various configurations, including the access cab with clamshell doors and a six-foot-one-inch bed, and the double cab with a choice of bed lengths. The access cab's rear seats were tight and uncomfortable, while the double cab provided easier access and improved seat quality. The front seats offered ample cubby space and legroom, but the steering wheel's limited extension posed a challenge for taller drivers. The Tacoma's bed, even in the shorter version, was spacious enough for gear and equipment.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, despite not being a traditional pickup, provided ample utility with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms with a braked trailer. Its bed, measuring 1,230 millimetres long and nearly 1,368 mm wide, accommodated various camping gear with ease. The Santa Cruz featured lockable underfloor storage, multiple tie-down points, and a sliding tonneau cover. Inside, the rear seats folded up for taller items, but legroom was limited compared to the Tucson. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated seats available on the top trim.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, offering Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. While the interface was simple, it felt outdated compared to competitors. Higher trims offered wireless charging and a premium JBL audio system, but the Tacoma lacked some of the advanced tech found in rival trucks.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Canada came with a 10.25-inch infotainment display, offering wired smartphone compatibility. The system was intuitive, with quick response times and clear graphics, but lacked a physical volume knob. Touch-sensitive buttons controlled various functions, although their small size required precise finger placement. Charging options included dual USB-A ports, with wireless charging available only on the Ultimate trim.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The TRD Pro model added blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera. However, the Tacoma lacked some advanced safety features found in other Toyotas and did not receive a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. It scored four out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance systems, including forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision avoidance, and lane-keep assist. The Ultimate trim featured Highway Drive Assist, adaptive cruise control with navigation-based curve slowing, and a blind-spot view monitor. While the NHTSA had not given an overall safety rating, the Santa Cruz received high marks in specific tests, and the 2023 model had favourable IIHS ratings.