2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2024 Toyota Tundra

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz was a unique blend of a unibody crossover and a compact pickup truck, offering a distinctive design that set it apart from traditional pickups. Available in SE, SEL, Night, and the new XRT trims, the Limited trim was the top-tier option. The Santa Cruz was about 14 inches longer than the Hyundai Tucson, sharing a similar front end with a futuristic grille. Its design was intentional, with protruding fenders and a sharply raked C-pillar, making it a standout vehicle. Inside, the Santa Cruz was neither overly luxurious nor sparse, featuring high-quality materials and a cohesive design with a horizontal trim bar. The four-spoked steering wheel was a unique touch, and the fit and finish were commendable.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Tundra had a bold and industrial design, characterized by its large grille aimed at improving powertrain cooling. While the grille's appearance was polarizing, the rest of the Tundra's design conveyed durability and strength, despite some plastic elements in the cabin. The Tundra was available in various trims, including the TRD Pro, which featured a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine. The TRD Pro trim also included camo-pattern detailing and a new Terra color option. However, the interior was marred by creaking and clattering sounds, impacting the perceived build quality. The Tundra offered a range of cab styles and bed lengths, with a focus on off-road capability and a robust powertrain.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) across its trims. Lower trims came with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the Limited trim featured a turbocharged engine delivering 282 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, coupled with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. This powertrain provided a peppy performance, smooth shifts, and excellent maneuverability, making it ideal for city driving. The Santa Cruz also demonstrated off-road capabilities, with a center locking differential and hill-descent control, although its ground clearance and approach angles limited its off-road prowess.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro excelled both on and off-road, equipped with a hybrid version of the twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 engine. This i-Force Max powertrain produced 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, offering a towing capacity of 11,175 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,600 pounds. The TRD Pro featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, part-time 4WD, and various off-road enhancements, including a locking rear differential and Multi-Terrain Select modes. The Tundra's off-road performance was impressive, with a 1.1-inch front suspension lift and skid plates. However, its fuel efficiency was lower than expected, averaging 17.1 mpg. Despite some visibility challenges, the Tundra provided an enjoyable driving experience, especially in desert environments.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered practical utility despite its compact size. With a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds in AWD form, it was suitable for most needs. The bed, measuring 52 inches long and nearly 54 inches wide, provided ample cargo space, complemented by lockable underfloor storage and multiple tie-down points. The sliding and locking tonneau cover added security, although the latch was finicky. Inside, the rear seats folded up for taller items, but 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 2024 Toyota Tundra offered a spacious interior, but the i-Force Max's battery compromised rear underseat storage and a flat rear cab floor. This limitation affected storage options, prompting a switch to a midsize crossover for a family outing. The Tundra's cargo bed lacked some features found in competitors, such as bumper corner steps and a trick tailgate. However, it provided decent storage space and wide seats. The TRD Pro's heated and ventilated front seats were appreciated, although the driver's seat caused some discomfort during long drives.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Hyundai's BlueLink infotainment system on SE and SEL trims, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upper trims had a larger 10.25-inch display, but only offered wired smartphone compatibility. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked a physical volume knob. Touch-sensitive buttons controlled various functions, but their small size required precise input. Charging options included dual USB-A ports, with wireless charging available on higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Toyota offered complimentary trial subscriptions to connected services, including Safety Connect, which provided emergency assistance and a stolen vehicle locator. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the TRD Pro featured a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system. Additional tech included wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera, and trailering assistance.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz came equipped with a comprehensive set of advanced driver-assistance systems, including forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision avoidance, and lane-keep assist. The Limited trim featured Hyundai's Highway Drive Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering. The Santa Cruz received a five-star front crash rating from the NHTSA, but the 2024 model had not yet been rated by the IIHS.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors were available on higher trims. The Tundra received high marks from the NHTSA, with five-star ratings for Crew Cab 4WD models. The IIHS awarded the Tundra a Top Safety Pick rating, although it received a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test for rear-seat passengers.