2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2024 GMC Canyon

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz was a unique blend of crossover and pickup, featuring a unibody design with a small bed. Available in trims like SE, SEL, Night, and the new XRT, the Limited trim stood out in our test. It was longer than the Hyundai Tucson, sharing a similar front end with a distinctive grille. The design was intentional, with features like protruding fenders and a sharply raked C-pillar, making it a standout vehicle. Inside, the Santa Cruz offered high-quality materials and a cohesive design, though the steering wheel's four-spoke design was unconventional.

In contrast, the 2024 GMC Canyon was a robust midsize truck, measuring 213.2 inches in length and standing tall at 79.8 inches. It shared parts with the Chevrolet Colorado but offered more ground clearance. Available in trims like Elevation, AT4, Denali, and AT4X, the Canyon was designed for both work and off-road adventures. Our AT4X test model, equipped with the AEV package, featured off-road enhancements like 35-inch tires and steel skid plates. The interior was comfortable and well-finished, with the Obsidian Rush upholstery adding a touch of luxury.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine with 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version producing 282 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, provided a peppy performance, making it easy to navigate city traffic and tight spaces. The Santa Cruz excelled in maneuverability, though its off-road capabilities were limited by its ground clearance and geometry.

The 2024 GMC Canyon, on the other hand, featured a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. This powerful engine allowed the Canyon to tow up to 7,700 pounds, outperforming many competitors. The eight-speed automatic transmission complemented the engine well, and the Canyon handled rough terrain with ease, thanks to its Multimatic spool-valve dampers. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with the AT4X AEV model achieving only 16 mpg.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz offered practical utility with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds in AWD form. Its bed, measuring 52 inches long and 54 inches wide, provided ample space for camping gear. The interior featured fold-up rear seats for additional cargo space, though rear legroom was limited to 36.5 inches. Heated front seats were standard on most trims, with ventilated seats available on the Limited trim.

The GMC Canyon excelled in towing capacity but struggled with interior space. The rear-seat legroom was tight, making long journeys uncomfortable for adults. The 5.2-foot bed was smaller than some competitors, and the spare tire in the AEV package reduced usable space. The Canyon's size made urban driving challenging, though it featured a high-resolution backup camera for assistance.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch display with wired connectivity. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the lack of a physical volume knob was a drawback. Charging options were limited, with USB-A ports available across trims.

The GMC Canyon boasted an 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in, offering seamless access to Google Maps and Assistant. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, and higher trims included a head-up display. However, the infotainment system's integration of headlight controls required attention away from the road.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control on higher trims. The NHTSA awarded it five stars in front crash tests, though the IIHS had not yet rated the 2024 model.

The GMC Canyon received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact tests. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, but additional features required optional packages on lower trims. The AT4X model included advanced features like a surround-view camera.