2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2023 RAM 1500

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 118.3-inch wheelbase was also shorter than the Tacoma's, yet it was slightly larger than the 2022 Hyundai Tucson compact crossover SUV. The Santa Cruz's design leaned more towards an SUV with a bed rather than a traditional small pickup, featuring a distinctive grille and integrated headlights reminiscent of the Tucson. The truck's exterior was further accentuated by 20-inch wheels, with an option for 18-inch wheels for off-roading.

Inside, the Santa Cruz's interior was more conventional compared to its exterior. The design was straightforward, avoiding the faux ruggedness seen in some truck interiors. The dashboard featured a ring of trim integrating the air vents, and the materials, while not luxurious, were appropriate for its price range and intended use as a rugged adventure vehicle. The Limited test vehicle showcased a practical and honest design, aligning with the Santa Cruz's mission.

The 2023 RAM 1500, a full-size pickup, offered a choice between a quad cab or a larger crew cab, with bed lengths of 6-foot, 4-inch or 5-foot, 7-inch. The Limited trim, near the top of the eight available trims, featured a $4,145 Night Edition option for a stealthy look, replacing chrome with blacked-out elements and 22-inch black aluminum wheels. The interior of the Limited trim was luxurious, with leather seats, contrasting stitching, and open-pore wood on the dash. The 12-inch portrait-oriented screen provided a unique look, complemented by chunky volume controls and a Ram logo on the dash. The Limited trim's upscale interior was further enhanced by a fancy wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was 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 produced 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The naturally aspirated engine came with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive, whereas the turbocharged engine was all-wheel drive only. The Santa Cruz's driving experience was more akin to a car than a truck, with a standard multi-link suspension that made it enjoyable in corners. The ride quality was impressive, even on 20-inch wheels, and cabin noise was minimal. The turbo engine provided ample power, although towing capabilities were not tested. The Santa Cruz offered a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds with the base engine and 5,000 pounds with the turbo engine, along with a maximum payload capacity of 1,906 pounds.

The 2023 RAM 1500 offered a range of engine options, including a 3.6-liter V6 with Ram's eTorque mild hybrid system, a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with eTorque, and a 3.0-liter diesel engine. The top TRX trim featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The eTorque system provided improved fuel economy and additional torque at takeoff. The V8 engine produced 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, offering strong performance. The RAM 1500's ride quality was exceptional, thanks to a coilover rear suspension and available air suspension. The truck's towing capacity reached up to 12,750 pounds, with a maximum payload of 2,300 pounds, depending on the configuration. The TRX trim, with its 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, was a standout for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz's small truck bed, measuring 52.1 inches in length, limited its utility for carrying larger items like bicycles or plywood. However, Hyundai included features to maximize the available space, such as a lockable tonneau cover, height-adjustable tailgate, tie-down points, in-bed LED lighting, and a 115-volt power outlet. The Santa Cruz was available only in a four-door crew-cab configuration, with seating for five. Rear-seat legroom was tight, but front-seat space was more generous. The interior offered decent storage space, including a center console and under-seat storage bins.

The 2023 RAM 1500 excelled in interior space and storage options. The cabin featured numerous storage cubbies, including a two-tiered center console with sliding cupholders and a large storage bin. The front seats were heated and cooled, with eight-way adjustability, and power-adjustable pedals were standard on the Limited trim. The crew cab provided ample rear legroom at 45.2 inches, and the rear seats could recline and flip up for additional cargo space. The multifunction tailgate and optional RamBox storage added to the truck's versatility.

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 Limited test vehicle's touchscreen and digital instrument cluster were praised for their clarity and responsiveness.

The 2023 RAM 1500 received a tech upgrade with an available 12-inch reconfigurable gauge cluster. The upper trims featured a 12-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen, allowing for dual-function display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though there was some lag with Apple CarPlay. The optional Equipment Group 1 added a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system. The RAM 1500 Limited offered multiple USB outlets, a wireless charging pad, and additional power outlets for device charging.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, being a new model, did not have safety ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it offered standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-attention monitor. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist.

The 2023 RAM 1500 lacked standard advanced driver-assist systems, with features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring being optional. Despite this, the NHTSA awarded the RAM 1500 crew cab a five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks, except for Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and LATCH ease of use.