Toyota Tacoma Vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz: Which Compact Pickup Truck Reigns Supreme?
What To Know
- In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the Toyota Tacoma vs Hyundai Santa Cruz to help you determine which one is the right choice for you.
- However, the Tacoma offers more standard features than the Santa Cruz, so you may end up paying more for a Tacoma with the same features as a Santa Cruz.
- The Santa Cruz, on the other hand, offers a more comfortable and well-equipped interior, more standard features, and a lower starting price.
When it comes to midsize pickup trucks, the Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz stand out as two of the most popular choices. Both offer a rugged exterior, spacious interior, and impressive performance capabilities. However, there are some key differences between these two trucks that may sway your decision one way or the other. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the Toyota Tacoma vs Hyundai Santa Cruz to help you determine which one is the right choice for you.
Performance and Capability
The Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz offer different engine options, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. The Tacoma comes standard with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. For more power, you can opt for the 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz, on the other hand, comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. You can also opt for the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
In terms of towing and payload capacity, the Toyota Tacoma has a slight edge over the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1,685 pounds. The Santa Cruz, on the other hand, can tow up to 5,000 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1,753 pounds.
Interior and Features
The Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz offer comfortable and well-equipped interiors. The Tacoma comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and a six-speaker audio system. You can also opt for features like a larger 8-inch touchscreen, a premium JBL audio system, and heated front seats.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz also comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and a six-speaker audio system. However, it offers more standard features than the Tacoma, including a wireless charging pad, a rearview camera, and a blind-spot monitoring system. You can also opt for features like a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, a premium Bose audio system, and a panoramic sunroof.
Safety and Reliability
The Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz both offer a variety of safety features. The Tacoma comes standard with features like lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. You can also opt for features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz also comes standard with a variety of safety features, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. You can also opt for features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system.
In terms of reliability, the Toyota Tacoma has a slight edge over the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Tacoma has been ranked as one of the most reliable midsize trucks by J.D. Power and Associates. The Santa Cruz, on the other hand, is a newer model, so it does not have as much reliability data available.
Price and Value
The Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz are both priced competitively. The Tacoma has a starting price of $27,150, while the Santa Cruz has a starting price of $24,980. However, the Tacoma offers more standard features than the Santa Cruz, so you may end up paying more for a Tacoma with the same features as a Santa Cruz.
Overall, the Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz are both excellent choices for midsize truck buyers. The Tacoma offers a more powerful engine, better towing and payload capacity, and a more reliable track record. The Santa Cruz, on the other hand, offers a more comfortable and well-equipped interior, more standard features, and a lower starting price. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
The Verdict: Toyota Tacoma vs Hyundai Santa Cruz
So, which truck is the better choice? The Toyota Tacoma or the Hyundai Santa Cruz? The answer to that question depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a truck with more power, better towing and payload capacity, and a more reliable track record, then the Toyota Tacoma is the better choice. If you’re looking for a truck with a more comfortable and well-equipped interior, more standard features, and a lower starting price, then the Hyundai Santa Cruz is the better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which truck has a more powerful engine?
A: The Toyota Tacoma has a more powerful engine than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Tacoma comes standard with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. For more power, you can opt for the 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Cruz, on the other hand, comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. You can also opt for the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.
Q: Which truck has a better towing and payload capacity?
A: The Toyota Tacoma has a better towing and payload capacity than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1,685 pounds. The Santa Cruz, on the other hand, can tow up to 5,000 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1,753 pounds.
Q: Which truck has a more comfortable and well-equipped interior?
A: The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a more comfortable and well-equipped interior than the Toyota Tacoma. The Santa Cruz comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and a six-speaker audio system. You can also opt for features like a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, a premium Bose audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. The Tacoma, on the other hand, comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and a six-speaker audio system. You can also opt for features like a larger 8-inch touchscreen, a premium JBL audio system, and heated front seats.