2022 GMC Canyon vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, with its compact dimensions, evoked memories of the mini trucks from the 1970s to 1990s. However, its unibody construction and unique styling positioned it more as a modern reinterpretation of the Subaru Baja or a smaller Honda Ridgeline. Measuring 195.7 inches in length, 75.0 inches in width, and 66.7 inches in height, the Santa Cruz was notably shorter than a Toyota Tacoma but nearly as wide. Its wheelbase of 118.3 inches was also shorter than the Tacoma's. Despite its compact size, the Santa Cruz was slightly larger than the 2022 Hyundai Tucson, making it a standout on the road with its SUV-like appearance, distinctive grille, and integrated headlights. The interior, while conventional, was honest in design, with materials that matched its price range and purpose as a rugged adventure vehicle.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Canyon, introduced in 2015, offered a premium look and feel, especially in the luxury-oriented Denali trim. This version featured a unique chrome grille, 20-inch diamond-cut machined alloy wheels, and a host of luxury interior features, including heated and ventilated leather seats and a Bose audio system. The rugged AT4 off-road version also boasted premium features like a black chrome grille and premium leather seats. While the lower trims like Elevation and Elevation Standard had more typical GM materials, the overall material quality of the Canyon was above expectations for its class.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz came equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The base engine delivered 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while an optional turbocharged version offered 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The naturally aspirated engine was available with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive, whereas the turbocharged engine was all-wheel drive only. The Santa Cruz's multi-link suspension provided a fun driving experience, and its ride quality was impressive even with 20-inch wheels. However, its off-road capabilities were limited, with 8.6 inches of ground clearance and no underbody protection. The Santa Cruz had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds with the base engine and 5,000 pounds with the turbo engine, aligning more with midsize SUVs than traditional trucks.

The 2022 GMC Canyon offered three powertrains: a 200-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 308-hp 3.6-liter V6, and a 181-hp 2.8-liter turbodiesel with 369 pound-feet of torque. The latter two engines had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds with the Trailering package. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available on all trims. The V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided abundant power, while the turbodiesel was robust in towing and fuel economy. The AT4's off-road tires were slightly noisy but didn't compromise grip, and the Canyon felt stable both on and off-road. The AT4 version, with its off-road equipment, was a capable rival to the Jeep Gladiator.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz had a maximum payload capacity of 1,906 pounds, but its 52.1-inch-long bed limited utility. While Hyundai included features like a lockable tonneau cover and tie-down points, the bed's size meant typical cargo like bicycles or plywood wouldn't fit completely. The Santa Cruz was available only in a four-door crew-cab configuration, with tight rear-seat legroom but decent front-seat space. Storage was ample, with a center console and under-seat compartments, though the touchpad controls were less user-friendly.

The 2022 GMC Canyon offered an extended cab with a 6'2" bed or a crew cab with a 5'2" or 6'2" bed. The crew cab provided ample space for rear-seat passengers, while the extended cab was less spacious. The Canyon's seat height made entry and exit easy, and the seats were comfortable and supportive. Visibility was excellent, aided by a rearview camera and park assist. The cargo bed featured two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points, with an integrated corner step bumper for easy access.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster available on higher trims. The digital cluster displayed blind-spot images from the surround-view camera system. The infotainment system was quick and responsive, with wireless charging and a digital-key feature for Android phones.

The 2022 GMC Canyon, while not tech-heavy, offered a 7-inch touchscreen on the Elevation Standard trim, with an 8-inch version on higher trims. The AT4 added wireless charging, and the Denali included navigation and a high-definition rearview camera. Available tech included Amazon Alexa Built-In and a WiFi hotspot. The infotainment system was user-friendly, and the Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, being a new model, lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. However, it offered standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist performed adequately but struggled with highway curves.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's safety features varied by trim. The base Elevation Standard lacked advanced driver aids but included tire-fill alert and the Teen Driver system. The Driver Alert package, available on higher trims, added forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning. The Canyon received four stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and mixed ratings from the IIHS, with some areas needing improvement.