What To Know
- The Santa Cruz comes standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, a rearview camera, and a suite of safety features, including lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
- The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a starting price of $25,080, while the Toyota Tacoma has a starting price of $27,150.
- The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a better fuel economy of 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway compared to….
The Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Toyota Tacoma are two of the most popular compact pickup trucks on the market. Both offer a unique blend of practicality, style, and off-road capability. But which one is right for you? In this blog post, we’ll compare the Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Toyota Tacoma in terms of their performance, features, design, and price to help you make an informed decision.
Performance
The Hyundai Santa Cruz comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The Toyota Tacoma, on the other hand, offers a choice of two engines: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, or a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque.
When it comes to towing and payload capacity, the Toyota Tacoma has a clear advantage. It can tow up to 6,800 pounds and carry a payload of up to 1,685 pounds. The Hyundai Santa Cruz, on the other hand, can tow up to 5,000 pounds and carry a payload of up to 1,750 pounds.
Features
The Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Toyota Tacoma both offer a wide range of features, but there are some key differences between the two. The Santa Cruz comes standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, a rearview camera, and a suite of safety features, including lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Tacoma also comes standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, a rearview camera, and a suite of safety features, but it does not offer lane departure warning or adaptive cruise control.
Design
The Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Toyota Tacoma have very different designs. The Santa Cruz is more compact and car-like, while the Tacoma is larger and more truck-like. The Santa Cruz has a unibody construction, while the Tacoma has a body-on-frame construction. This gives the Tacoma a more rugged and durable feel, but it also makes it heavier and less fuel-efficient.
Price
The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a starting price of $25,080, while the Toyota Tacoma has a starting price of $27,150. The Santa Cruz is available in four different trim levels, while the Tacoma is available in six different trim levels. The top-of-the-line Santa Cruz Limited trim has a starting price of $40,080, while the top-of-the-line Tacoma TRD Pro trim has a starting price of $45,450.
Which One is Right for You?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Toyota Tacoma are both great compact pickup trucks, but they offer different things to different people. The Santa Cruz is more compact, fuel-efficient, and affordable, while the Tacoma is more powerful, capable, and durable. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Fuel Efficiency
The Hyundai Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The Toyota Tacoma gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
Off-Road Capability
The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a ground clearance of 8.6 inches and a departure angle of 21.3 degrees. The Toyota Tacoma has a ground clearance of 9.4 inches and a departure angle of 26.6 degrees. This gives the Tacoma a slight edge in terms of off-road capability.
Safety
The Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Toyota Tacoma both received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the Santa Cruz received a slightly higher score in the side crash test.
“Verdict: The Final Decision”
The Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Toyota Tacoma are both excellent compact pickup trucks, but they offer different things to different people. The Santa Cruz is more compact, fuel-efficient, and affordable, while the Tacoma is more powerful, capable, and durable. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Answers to Your Questions
1. Which truck has a higher towing capacity?
The Toyota Tacoma has a higher towing capacity of 6,800 pounds compared to the Hyundai Santa Cruz‘s 5,000 pounds.
2. Which truck has a better fuel economy?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a better fuel economy of 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway compared to the Toyota Tacoma’s 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
3. Which truck has a higher ground clearance?
The Toyota Tacoma has a higher ground clearance of 9.4 inches compared to the Hyundai Santa Cruz‘s 8.6 inches.