2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 presented a robust and commanding presence with its boxy design, chiseled details, and flared fenders. It offered a variety of configurations, including three cab styles, three bed lengths, and eight trim levels, each with a unique appearance. Our test model, an LTZ trim with a crew cab and short bed, featured a 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax turbodiesel engine, 4WD, and several premium packages, bringing its MSRP to $61,165. While the exterior boasted a striking Northsky Blue paint and chrome accents, the interior felt outdated, with glossy plastics and small infotainment screens detracting from the overall sense of quality.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz stood out with its unibody construction and unconventional styling, reminiscent of a smaller Honda Ridgeline or Subaru Baja. Measuring 195.7 inches in length, it was notably shorter than a Toyota Tacoma but offered a similar width. The Santa Cruz's design leaned more towards an SUV with a bed, featuring a distinctive grille and integrated headlights. Inside, the cabin was straightforward yet functional, with materials appropriate for its price range. The Santa Cruz aimed to be a rugged adventure vehicle, offering a practical and honest design without the pretense of faux ruggedness.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of engine options, with the Duramax turbodiesel being a standout for its fuel efficiency and torque. Priced at $995, it delivered 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, achieving a fuel economy of 22.6 mpg in combined driving. Despite its lower horsepower compared to the 6.2-liter V8, the Duramax provided smooth acceleration and a towing capacity of 9,500 pounds. However, for maximum towing and payload capabilities, the 6.2-liter V8 was the better choice. The Silverado's 10-speed automatic transmission and Autotrac 4WD system contributed to its performance, though the standard suspension struggled with body movement on rough terrain.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions. The base engine produced 191 horsepower, while the turbocharged variant offered 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The Santa Cruz's multi-link suspension provided a fun driving experience, with impressive ride quality and low cabin noise. While it offered 8.6 inches of ground clearance and AWD, it wasn't designed for serious off-roading. The Santa Cruz's towing capacity ranged from 3,500 pounds with the base engine to 5,000 pounds with the turbo engine, aligning more with midsize SUVs than traditional pickups.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's crew cab provided ample interior space, with wide, supportive front seats offering power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat comfortably accommodated three adults, with generous headroom and legroom. Storage options included dual dashboard glove compartments and built-in storage within the rear seatbacks, though some areas lacked innovation. The Silverado's bed was among the deepest and roomiest in its class, featuring a remote power tailgate and optional Multi-Flex tailgate design.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, with its shorter 52.1-inch bed, offered limited utility for larger cargo. However, Hyundai included features like a lockable tonneau cover, adjustable tailgate, and in-bed storage compartments to maximize space. The Santa Cruz's crew-cab configuration provided seating for five, though rear-seat legroom was tight. Front-seat space was more generous, and the cabin offered decent storage, including a center console and under-seat compartments. The use of touch pads for controls was less user-friendly than physical buttons.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured the Chevrolet Infotainment System 3, with 7-inch and 8-inch screens offering quick response times and modern graphics. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with higher trims adding wireless connectivity, navigation, and a Bose premium sound system. The Silverado also offered a head-up display and multiple camera views for towing and visibility, though some trailering technologies fell short compared to competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, and wireless phone charging. The digital cluster displayed blind-spot images from the surround-view camera system, and Hyundai's Blue Link telematics service provided additional connectivity options. The Santa Cruz's infotainment system was quick to respond, with appealing graphics and features like a digital key for Android phones.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 received a "Marginal" rating from the IIHS for front passenger protection in small-overlap collisions and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring, with options for adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. However, the Silverado lacked some advanced features like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It offered standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane centering. While Hyundai's system performed adequately, it struggled with highway curves, a common issue among similar systems.