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Hyundai Santa Cruz Vs Hyundai Tucson: Which Is The Better Compact Suv For You?

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to...

What To Know

  • The Santa Cruz has a boxy shape with a high ride height, while the Tucson has a more rounded shape with a lower ride height.
  • The Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, while the Tucson gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
  • The Tucson gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Hyundai Tucson are two of the most popular compact SUVs on the market. Both vehicles offer a variety of features and benefits, but there are some key differences between the two. In this blog post, we will compare the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Hyundai Tucson in terms of their design, performance, fuel efficiency, safety, and technology. We will also provide our recommendation on which vehicle is the better choice for you.

Design

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Hyundai Tucson have very different designs. The Santa Cruz is a more rugged and adventurous-looking vehicle, while the Tucson is more sleek and stylish. The Santa Cruz has a boxy shape with a high ride height, while the Tucson has a more rounded shape with a lower ride height. Both vehicles have attractive exteriors, but the Santa Cruz is more likely to appeal to buyers who are looking for a vehicle that can handle off-road adventures.

Performance

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Hyundai Tucson offer similar performance. Both vehicles are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. The Santa Cruz has a slightly better towing capacity than the Tucson, but the Tucson has a slightly better fuel efficiency. Both vehicles are available with all-wheel drive, which is a great option for buyers who live in areas with snow or rain.

Fuel Efficiency

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Hyundai Tucson have similar fuel efficiency. The Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, while the Tucson gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Both vehicles offer a turbocharged engine option that provides better fuel efficiency, but the turbocharged engines are only available on the higher trim levels.

Safety

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Hyundai Tucson both have excellent safety ratings. Both vehicles received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Santa Cruz and Tucson also both received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Both vehicles come standard with a variety of safety features, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control.

Technology

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Hyundai Tucson both offer a variety of technology features. Both vehicles come standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rearview camera. The Santa Cruz and Tucson also both offer available features such as a panoramic sunroof, a wireless charging pad, and a premium audio system.

Which One is the Better Choice for You?

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Hyundai Tucson are both excellent compact SUVs. The Santa Cruz is a more rugged and adventurous-looking vehicle, while the Tucson is more sleek and stylish. Both vehicles offer similar performance, fuel efficiency, safety, and technology. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Recommendation

If you are looking for a rugged and adventurous-looking compact SUV, then the Hyundai Santa Cruz is the better choice for you. If you are looking for a more sleek and stylish compact SUV, then the Hyundai Tucson is the better choice for you.

What You Need to Know

Q: Which vehicle has a better towing capacity?

A: The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a better towing capacity than the Hyundai Tucson. The Santa Cruz can tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the Tucson can tow up to 2,000 pounds.

Q: Which vehicle has a better fuel efficiency?

A: The Hyundai Tucson has a better fuel efficiency than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Tucson gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Q: Which vehicle has a better safety rating?

A: The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Hyundai Tucson both have excellent safety ratings. Both vehicles received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

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Mike Sullivan

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to guides and industry news updates. When he's not writing about Ford, you can find Mike cheering on his favorite NFL team at the local pub on game days.
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