2021 GMC Canyon vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2021 GMC Canyon, a second-generation model, had been on the market since 2015, following a two-year break after its first generation. This hiatus seemed beneficial, given the lackluster performance of its predecessor. The Canyon, along with its sibling, the Chevrolet Colorado, received its first refresh after six years, which was longer than the typical mid-cycle update. The refresh included an enlarged grille and a revised front bumper, aligning it more closely with the GMC Sierra. Despite these updates, the Canyon largely retained its original design, which was less of an issue in the midsize pickup market where competitors like the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma were also aging. The interior of the Canyon prioritized functionality over luxury, featuring a sensible control layout but with hard plastics and average fit-and-finish. The trims ranged from the base Elevation Standard to the premium Denali, each offering varying levels of features and aesthetics.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, with its compact footprint, evoked memories of mini trucks from the past but stood out with its unibody construction and unique styling. Measuring 195.7 inches in length, it was significantly shorter than a Toyota Tacoma but nearly as wide. The Santa Cruz resembled an SUV with a bed, featuring a distinctive grille and integrated headlights. It offered 20-inch wheels for a bold look, with 18-inch options for off-roading. Inside, the Santa Cruz had a straightforward design, avoiding the faux ruggedness of some truck interiors. The materials were appropriate for its price range, and the air vents were seamlessly integrated into the dashboard. The Santa Cruz aimed to be a rugged adventure vehicle, with features that supported its mission without overemphasizing traditional truck aesthetics.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. An optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on the AT4 and Denali trims, delivered 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, a 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel engine was available, offering 181 horsepower and a robust 369 pound-feet of torque. The Canyon's base engine struggled with performance, making the V6 a more viable option, though it required aggressive acceleration to feel lively. The Duramax engine had potential but was limited by its six-speed transmission. The AT4 trim, equipped with the V6 and 4WD, excelled in off-road conditions without compromising on-road comfort. The Canyon boasted a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,700 pounds with the turbodiesel engine and a payload capacity of 1,605 pounds.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz featured a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. An optional turbocharged engine offered 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, with AWD as standard. The Santa Cruz's driving experience was more akin to a car than a truck, with a multi-link suspension providing agility in corners and a self-leveling feature for a loaded bed. The turbo engine delivered ample power, though the naturally aspirated engine was not tested. The Santa Cruz had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds with the base engine and 5,000 pounds with the turbo engine, along with a payload capacity of 1,906 pounds. While not designed for serious off-roading, it offered 8.6 inches of ground clearance and AWD, though it lacked low range and locking differentials.

The 2021 GMC Canyon was available in Extended Cab and Crew Cab configurations. The Extended Cab featured rear-hinged half-doors and small jump seats, suitable for children or small cargo. The Crew Cab offered more usable rear-seat space with four full doors. The Canyon's driving position was commanding, though seat adjustments were awkward. Storage was available in the center console and stack, with small door trays and cupholders. The Canyon offered two bed sizes: a short 5-foot-2 box and a long 6-foot-2 box, with the Extended Cab only available with the long box. The CornerStep rear bumper provided easy bed access, and the EZ lift-and-lower tailgate prevented slamming.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz had a small truck bed measuring 52.1 inches, limiting its utility for larger cargo. Hyundai included features like a lockable tonneau cover, adjustable tailgate, tie-down points, in-bed lighting, and a power outlet to maximize space. The Santa Cruz was only available in a four-door crew-cab configuration, with tight rear-seat legroom but decent front-seat space and good visibility. Storage was available in the center console and under the rear seats. The controls for heated and ventilated seats were conveniently placed, though touch pads for audio and climate control were less user-friendly while driving.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system had crisp graphics and an intuitive menu layout, with hard buttons and dials for ease of use. An 8-inch screen was optional on the Elevation and AT4 trims and standard on the Denali, which also included navigation, HD radio, and a wireless charging pad. The Denali featured a 4.2-inch color driver display, operated via a steering wheel pad, for easy access to presets and vehicle information.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a standard 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless 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 10.25-inch touchscreen and digital cluster in the Limited trim were glare-resistant and responsive, with attractive graphics. Wireless device charging and a digital-key feature, compatible with Android phones, were also available.

The 2021 GMC Canyon included standard safety features like a rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring, airbags, traction control, and the Teen Driver system, which allowed speed and volume limits for secondary drivers. The optional Driver Alert package, standard on the Denali, offered forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear parking alert. The Denali also featured an upgraded HD backup camera and Hitch Guidance for easier towing alignment.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, lacking safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, 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, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist, a surround-view camera system, 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.