Toyota tacoma vs hyundai santa cruz: the battle of the compact off-roaders
What To Know
- However, the Tacoma offers better fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway compared to the Santa Cruz’s 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.
- The Hyundai Santa Cruz, on the other hand, has a more stylish and urban exterior design that combines elements of a truck and an SUV.
- The Tacoma offers a proven track record of reliability and off-road performance, while the Santa Cruz offers a more stylish and modern alternative with impressive technology and value.
The midsize truck segment is heating up with the arrival of the new Hyundai Santa Cruz. This stylish and versatile pickup truck is a direct competitor to the Toyota Tacoma, which has long been a favorite among truck enthusiasts. In this blog post, we’ll compare the Toyota Tacoma vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz in various aspects to help you determine which one is the right choice for your needs.
Powertrain and Performance
The Toyota Tacoma offers a choice of two engines: a 2.7-liter inline-four with 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque and a 3.5-liter V6 with 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. The Hyundai Santa Cruz, on the other hand, comes with a single engine option: a 2.5-liter inline-four turbocharged engine that produces 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.
In terms of performance, the Hyundai Santa Cruz has the edge with its more powerful engine. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, while the Tacoma with the V6 engine takes 6.8 seconds. However, the Tacoma offers better fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway compared to the Santa Cruz’s 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.
Capability
Both the Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz are capable off-road vehicles. The Tacoma has been known for its ruggedness and reliability, while the Santa Cruz offers a more car-like ride with impressive off-road capabilities.
The Tacoma comes standard with rear-wheel drive and offers a choice of a part-time or full-time four-wheel drive system. It also has a locking rear differential and a crawl control system for added traction in challenging conditions. The Santa Cruz, on the other hand, comes standard with front-wheel drive and offers an optional all-wheel drive system. It also has a multi-terrain control system that allows you to select different driving modes for various surfaces.
In terms of towing and payload capacity, the Tacoma has a higher rating. It can tow up to 6,800 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1,685 pounds. The Santa Cruz has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,753 pounds.
Interior and Features
The Toyota Tacoma offers a spacious and comfortable interior with a focus on durability. The cabin is well-equipped with features such as a touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a variety of safety features.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a more modern and refined interior with a focus on technology. The cabin is equipped with a larger touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, and a variety of advanced safety features.
Exterior Design
The Toyota Tacoma has a rugged and masculine exterior design that exudes toughness. It features a bold grille, muscular fenders, and a high ride height. The Hyundai Santa Cruz, on the other hand, has a more stylish and urban exterior design that combines elements of a truck and an SUV. It features a sleek grille, sloping roofline, and a lower ride height.
Price and Value
The Toyota Tacoma has a starting price of $27,150, while the Hyundai Santa Cruz has a starting price of $24,480. The Tacoma offers a wider range of trim levels and options, which can increase the price. However, the Santa Cruz offers a more competitive value proposition with its standard features and advanced technology.
Which One Is Right for You?
The Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz are both excellent midsize trucks with their own strengths and weaknesses. The Tacoma is the better choice if you prioritize ruggedness, off-road capability, and towing capacity. The Santa Cruz is the better choice if you prioritize style, technology, and fuel economy.
Takeaways: The Verdict
The Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz are both excellent choices in the midsize truck segment. The Tacoma offers a proven track record of reliability and off-road performance, while the Santa Cruz offers a more stylish and modern alternative with impressive technology and value. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which truck has better fuel economy?
A: The Toyota Tacoma offers better fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway compared to the Santa Cruz’s 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.
Q: Which truck has a higher towing capacity?
A: The Toyota Tacoma has a higher towing capacity of 6,800 pounds compared to the Santa Cruz‘s 5,000 pounds.
Q: Which truck has a more spacious interior?
A: The Toyota Tacoma offers a more spacious interior with more legroom and headroom than the Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Q: Which truck has more advanced safety features?
A: The Hyundai Santa Cruz offers more advanced safety features as standard, including blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking.
Q: Which truck is more reliable?
A: The Toyota Tacoma has a reputation for being more reliable than the Hyundai Santa Cruz, based on J.D. Power and Consumer Reports reliability surveys.