Hyundai Santa Cruz Vs Toyota Hilux: The Ultimate Comparison Of Compact Pickup Trucks

What To Know

  • The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a good choice for buyers who want a compact pickup truck that’s fuel-efficient, comfortable, and has a lot of features.
  • The Toyota Hilux, on the other hand, is a good choice for buyers who want a compact pickup truck that’s capable off-road and has a lot of towing and hauling capacity.
  • The Hilux, on the other hand, is a good choice for buyers who want a capable off-road truck with a lot of towing and hauling capacity.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Toyota Hilux are two of the most popular compact pickup trucks on the market. Both offer a unique blend of utility and style, but there are some key differences between the two models. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the Hyundai Santa Cruz vs Toyota Hilux and help you decide which one is right for you.

Performance and Capability

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is powered by a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The Toyota Hilux, on the other hand, is powered by a 2.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 204 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of performance, the Toyota Hilux has a clear advantage. It’s more powerful and has more torque, which makes it better suited for towing and hauling. However, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is more fuel-efficient, getting an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city/27 mpg highway compared to the Hilux’s 19 mpg city/23 mpg highway.

Off-Road Performance

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is not as capable off-road as the Toyota Hilux. It has a lower ground clearance and less suspension travel. However, the Santa Cruz does have some off-road features, such as hill descent control and a locking rear differential.

The Toyota Hilux, on the other hand, is a true off-roader. It has a high ground clearance, long-travel suspension, and a variety of off-road features, such as a locking front and rear differential, crawl control, and multi-terrain select.

Interior and Features

The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a more modern and upscale interior than the Toyota Hilux. It features a large touchscreen infotainment system, a comfortable front seat, and plenty of storage space. The Hilux, on the other hand, has a more utilitarian interior with a smaller infotainment screen and less comfortable seats.

In terms of features, the Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a wider range of options than the Toyota Hilux. It’s available with features such as a sunroof, a heated steering wheel, and a wireless charging pad. The Hilux, on the other hand, is only available with a few basic features, such as air conditioning and a CD player.

Safety

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Toyota Hilux both offer a variety of safety features, such as airbags, a backup camera, and lane departure warning. However, the Santa Cruz has a few more advanced safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Price

The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a starting price of $24,980, while the Toyota Hilux has a starting price of $30,825.

Which One Should You Buy?

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a good choice for buyers who want a compact pickup truck that’s fuel-efficient, comfortable, and has a lot of features. The Toyota Hilux, on the other hand, is a good choice for buyers who want a compact pickup truck that’s capable off-road and has a lot of towing and hauling capacity.

The Verdict: Hyundai Santa Cruz vs Toyota Hilux

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Toyota Hilux are both great compact pickup trucks, but they offer different things to different buyers. The Santa Cruz is a good choice for buyers who want a fuel-efficient, comfortable, and feature-rich truck. The Hilux, on the other hand, is a good choice for buyers who want a capable off-road truck with a lot of towing and hauling capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which truck has a higher towing capacity?

A: The Toyota Hilux has a higher towing capacity of 7,700 lbs compared to the Hyundai Santa Cruz‘s 5,000 lbs towing capacity.

Q: Which truck has a better fuel economy?

A: The Hyundai Santa Cruz has better fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city/27 mpg highway compared to the Toyota Hilux‘s 19 mpg city/23 mpg highway.

Q: Which truck has a more comfortable interior?

A: The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a more comfortable interior with features like a large touchscreen infotainment system and heated front seats.