What To Know
- However, the Santa Cruz has a slight edge in fuel efficiency, with an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway compared to the Canyon’s 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
- The Santa Cruz is more modern and tech-forward, with features like a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and a suite of advanced safety features.
- It offers a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 1,591 pounds, compared to the Santa Cruz’s maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 1,750 pounds.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz and GMC Canyon are two of the most popular compact trucks on the market today. Both offer a unique blend of utility and style, but which one is the right choice for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll put the Hyundai Santa Cruz and GMC Canyon head-to-head to help you make an informed decision. We’ll cover everything from performance and fuel efficiency to features and pricing to help you determine which truck is the better fit for your needs and budget.
Performance and Fuel Efficiency: A Close Match
When it comes to performance, the Hyundai Santa Cruz and GMC Canyon are evenly matched. Both trucks offer similar horsepower and torque ratings, and both are available with either a front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive system. However, the Santa Cruz has a slight edge in fuel efficiency, with an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway compared to the Canyon’s 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
Features and Technology: A Battle of Modernity vs Tradition
The Hyundai Santa Cruz and GMC Canyon offer a wide range of features and technology, but each truck has its own unique strengths. The Santa Cruz is more modern and tech-forward, with features like a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and a suite of advanced safety features. The Canyon, on the other hand, has a more traditional approach to features, with a focus on ruggedness and durability. It offers features like a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a Bose audio system, and a variety of off-road-oriented features.
Interior and Comfort: A Matter of Personal Preference
The Hyundai Santa Cruz and GMC Canyon both offer spacious and comfortable interiors, but each truck has its own unique style. The Santa Cruz has a more modern and upscale interior, with features like leather-trimmed seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a heated steering wheel. The Canyon has a more rugged and utilitarian interior, with features like cloth seats, a vinyl floor, and a rubberized dashboard. Ultimately, the choice between the two interiors is a matter of personal preference.
Towing and Payload Capacity: The Canyon Takes the Lead
If you’re looking for a truck that can handle heavy loads, the GMC Canyon is the clear winner. It offers a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 1,591 pounds, compared to the Santa Cruz’s maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 1,750 pounds.
Pricing and Value: A Question of Budget
The Hyundai Santa Cruz and GMC Canyon are both priced competitively, but the Santa Cruz has a slight edge in terms of overall value. The Santa Cruz starts at $25,190, while the Canyon starts at $26,800. However, the Santa Cruz offers more standard features for the money, including a larger touchscreen infotainment system, a wireless charging pad, and a suite of advanced safety features.
Which Truck is Right for You?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz and GMC Canyon are both excellent compact trucks, but they offer different strengths and weaknesses. The Santa Cruz is more modern and tech-forward, with a more upscale interior and a better fuel economy. The Canyon is more rugged and utilitarian, with a higher towing and payload capacity and a more traditional interior. Ultimately, the best truck for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Beyond the Comparison: Exploring Other Options
The Hyundai Santa Cruz and GMC Canyon are just two of many great compact trucks on the market today. If you’re looking for other options, you may want to consider the Honda Ridgeline, the Toyota Tacoma, or the Ford Ranger. These trucks all offer a unique blend of utility and style, and they’re all worth considering if you’re in the market for a compact truck.
The Verdict: A Close Call with Different Strengths
The Hyundai Santa Cruz and GMC Canyon are both excellent compact trucks, but they offer different strengths and weaknesses. The Santa Cruz is more modern and tech-forward, with a more upscale interior and a better fuel economy. The Canyon is more rugged and utilitarian, with a higher towing and payload capacity and a more traditional interior. Ultimately, the best truck for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Questions You May Have
1. What is the difference between the Hyundai Santa Cruz and GMC Canyon?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a more modern and tech-forward compact truck, with a focus on style and fuel efficiency. The GMC Canyon is a more rugged and utilitarian compact truck, with a focus on towing and payload capacity.
2. Which truck has a better fuel economy?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a better fuel economy than the GMC Canyon, with an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway compared to the Canyon’s 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
3. Which truck has a higher towing capacity?
The GMC Canyon has a higher towing capacity than the Hyundai Santa Cruz, with a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds compared to the Santa Cruz’s maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.