2021 Toyota Tacoma vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma presented itself as the quintessential pickup truck, with its boxy fender flares, tall hood, and shield-like grille. Its design was a stark contrast to the more streamlined Ford Ranger or General Motors midsize twins, offering a rugged aesthetic without the exaggerated features of larger trucks like the Toyota Tundra. Certain models, such as the Trail Edition and Nightshade Edition, boasted unique styling elements, while the TRD Pro model featured exclusive touches like a model-specific grille and Lunar Rock color. The Tacoma's body-on-frame construction favored towing and off-road capability, though it compromised ride and handling. Interior-wise, the Tacoma's rugged styling continued with a dashboard of chunky plastic elements, though material quality was questionable at higher price points.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, with its smaller footprint, evoked memories of mini trucks from the past but was more akin to a modern Subaru Baja or a smaller Honda Ridgeline. Measuring 195.7 inches in length, it was over a foot shorter than the Tacoma but nearly as wide. Its SUV-like appearance, with a toothy grille and blended headlights, set it apart from traditional pickups. The Santa Cruz offered 20-inch wheels for a stylish look, with 18-inch options for off-roading. Inside, the design was straightforward, with a focus on functionality rather than faux ruggedness. The materials were appropriate for its price range, and the dashboard featured a ring of trim integrating the air vents. The Santa Cruz aimed to be a rugged "adventure vehicle," with a design that was honest and practical.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma offered two powertrain options: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine producing 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.5-liter V6 with 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine, available with both automatic and manual transmissions, featured Toyota's D4S fuel-injection system for improved fuel economy. The Tacoma's off-road capabilities were enhanced in the TRD models, with features like a locking rear differential, upgraded suspension, and all-terrain tires. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with slow acceleration and poor ride quality. The Tacoma's maximum towing capacity was 6,800 pounds, but this was only achievable in specific configurations.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The base engine produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while an optional turbocharged version 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. However, its off-road capabilities were limited, lacking features like low range and locking differentials. The Santa Cruz's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds with the turbo engine, more in line with midsize SUVs than traditional pickups.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's interior space was limited, with the Double Cab offering the worst rear headroom and legroom in its segment. The tall hood impaired forward visibility, and the interior felt bunker-like. Storage options included fold-up rear seats with storage cubbies and a wireless charging pad, but overall in-cab storage was limited. The Tacoma's bed featured a standard rail system with tie-down cleats and an optional 120-volt outlet, but lacked clever storage solutions like those found in the Honda Ridgeline.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz's small truck bed, at 52.1 inches long, limited its utility for carrying larger items. However, Hyundai included features like a lockable tonneau cover, tie-down points, and in-bed LED lighting to maximize the available space. The Santa Cruz was available only in a four-door crew-cab configuration, with tight rear-seat legroom but decent front-seat space. Storage options included a center console and under-seat storage bins. The controls for optional heated and ventilated seats were conveniently placed, though touch pads for audio and climate control were less user-friendly.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma featured a 7-inch touchscreen on the base SR trim, with an 8-inch touchscreen on other models. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Bluetooth. The infotainment system was functional but not exceptional, with plain graphics and basic features. The TRD Pro model offered an optional Multi-Terrain Monitor surround-view camera system, useful for off-road and parking maneuvers.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured 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 included smartwatch and Google Assistant connectivity. The touchscreen and digital cluster were responsive and visually appealing, with quick boot-up times and intuitive controls.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the passenger-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

Safety ratings for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz were not available at the time. However, Hyundai offered standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane centering.