2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, especially in its Limited trim, exuded a sense of luxury and capability. Gleaming in Iconic Silver with chrome accents, it was a sight to behold. The interior was equally impressive, featuring plush leather seats, a high-end audio system, and a spacious, well-organized cabin. The power-deploying running boards made entry and exit easy, which was essential given the truck's height. The F-350 came in various trims, from the work-oriented XL to the luxurious Limited, and offered multiple cab styles and bed lengths to suit different needs.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz presented a unique blend of SUV and pickup truck characteristics. Its unibody construction and unconventional styling set it apart from traditional pickups. At 195.7 inches long, it was significantly shorter than a Toyota Tacoma but nearly as wide. The Santa Cruz's design featured a toothy grille and blended headlights, making it stand out on the road. The interior was more conventional, with a focus on functionality rather than ruggedness. The materials used were appropriate for its price range, and the layout was user-friendly.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty was a powerhouse, thanks to its 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 engine that produced 475 horsepower and a staggering 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Despite its size and power, it managed an average of 15.4 mpg on a testing loop and 16.5 mpg during a week of heavy highway use. The truck's 10-speed automatic transmission and adaptive steering made it easier to handle, although it still required significant effort in urban environments. The Tremor off-road package added impressive off-road capabilities, including 10.4 inches of ground clearance and a water fording capability of 33 inches.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The naturally aspirated engine came with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive, while the turbocharged engine was AWD only. The Santa Cruz's multi-link suspension and self-leveling feature made it fun to drive, even with a loaded bed. However, its off-road capabilities were limited compared to traditional trucks, and it lacked features like low range and locking differentials.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's interior was spacious and luxurious, especially in the Limited trim. The front seats were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, providing a commanding driving position. The crew cab offered ample legroom for rear-seat passengers, although the seat cushion was slightly lower than expected. The cargo bed was accessible with the integrated tailgate step, and the BoxLink system made securing cargo easy. The optional spray-in bedliner added protection and grip, while LED box lighting improved visibility.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz's small truck bed, measuring 52.1 inches long, limited its utility for carrying larger items like bicycles or plywood. However, Hyundai included several features to maximize the available space, such as a lockable tonneau cover, height-adjustable tailgate, tie-down points, and in-bed LED lighting. The Santa Cruz also had storage compartments under the bed and rear seats. The crew-cab configuration provided seating for five, but rear-seat legroom was tight. Front-seat space was more generous, and the center console offered decent storage.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty featured an 8-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which included smartphone integration, wireless charging, navigation, and a B&O premium sound system. However, the screen size was a drawback, especially when using the reversing camera and trailer-assist features. The truck also offered a Live Drive Power Take-off system and upfitter switches for additional equipment. The voice-recognition technology was user-friendly but sometimes required specific prompts.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, and a digital instrument cluster. The digital cluster displayed blind-spot images from the optional surround-view camera system. Hyundai's Blue Link telematics service provided smartwatch and Google Assistant connectivity. The touchscreen was quick to respond and had visually appealing graphics, while the digital-key feature allowed smartphone use instead of a key fob.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, weighing around 7,300 pounds, likely offered good protection in collisions with smaller vehicles. It came with several driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control performed unevenly in traffic, and the lane-keep assist was subtle. The blind-spot monitoring system required proper mirror adjustment to be effective.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it offered standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-follow assist, rear-seat reminder, and a driver-attention monitor. Higher trims included blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist, a surround-view camera system, and Highway Driving Assist. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist performed well but struggled with highway curves, a common issue with similar systems.