2023 Nissan Frontier vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2023 Nissan Frontier was available in four trim levels: S, SV, Pro-X, and Pro-4X. It retained its well-received exterior redesign inspired by the 1986 Nissan Hardbody and the new interior introduced in 2022. Updates for 2023 included a Midnight Edition for the SV trim, featuring blacked-out elements, and Lava Red interior accents for the Pro-X and Pro-4X trims. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were available on both Pro grades, which also offered adjustable seating options. The Frontier came in nine exterior colors, including unique shades like “Baja Storm” tan and Tactical Green.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, though not a traditional pickup, was a unibody crossover with a small bed. It was available in SE, SEL, Night, and the new XRT trims, with the Limited trim being the top option. The Santa Cruz was about 14 inches longer than the Hyundai Tucson, sharing a similar front end with a distinctive grille. Its design was intentional, with features like protruding fenders and a sharply raked C-pillar. Inside, the materials felt high-quality, and the design was cohesive, though the four-spoked steering wheel was a unique choice.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with an optional shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive system. The Frontier offered hill-start assist and hill-descent control, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Nissan focused on balancing off-road capability with on-road comfort, improving suspension and reducing noise. The Frontier had a towing capacity of up to 6,720 pounds and a maximum payload of 1,610 pounds, with fuel economy rated at up to 20 mpg combined.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque on lower trims, while the turbocharged engine on higher trims delivered 282 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, providing smooth shifts and peppy performance. The Santa Cruz excelled in maneuverability, making it ideal for city driving. It also featured an AWD system with a center locking differential for off-road performance, though its ground clearance and geometry limited its off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier was available in two cab configurations: the larger Crew Cab and the smaller King Cab. The Crew Cab offered more interior space and a 5-foot bed, with an optional 6-foot bed on the SV trim. The King Cab came with a 6-foot bed standard. The Frontier featured LED under-rail bed lighting, a spray-in bedliner, and increased cargo bed volume. The tailgate was hydraulically assisted, and the Pro-4X trim included skid plates for off-road protection. Inside, Zero Gravity seats and ample storage options enhanced comfort and utility.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, despite its compact size, offered robust cargo hauling capabilities. The bed measured 52 inches long and nearly 54 inches wide, with lockable underfloor storage and multiple tie-down points. The Santa Cruz had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds with AWD. Inside, rear seats folded up for additional cargo space, though rear legroom was limited. Heated front seats were standard on most trims, with ventilated seats available on the Limited trim. The sliding and locking tonneau cover provided added security for cargo.

For 2023, the Nissan Frontier included wireless Apple CarPlay on Pro-X and Pro-4X trims, with wired connections for other trims and Android Auto users. The Pro trims featured a 9-inch touchscreen, while lower trims had an 8-inch display. A 10-speaker Fender premium sound system was available on Pro trims. The Frontier also offered a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and an off-road gauge cluster with real-time angle monitoring.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on lower trims, while upper trims had a 10.25-inch display with wired compatibility. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked a physical volume knob. Charging options included dual USB-A ports, with wireless charging available on higher trims. The Limited trim offered additional USB ports for rear passengers.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier came with standard safety features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating, with a five-star side crash test score.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance and blind-spot monitoring. The Limited trim added advanced features like Highway Drive Assist. The NHTSA rated it five stars in front crash tests, though the overall rating was pending.