2021 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was a popular choice for those who valued styling and the upscale Denali trim level. The Denali was often compared to a Mercedes in truck circles, offering a sense of luxury and prestige. Even without opting for the Denali, other variants of the Sierra could be configured to reach similar high price points. The Sierra AT4, for instance, was an off-road-ready version priced at $66,695 MSRP, featuring a factory-installed 2-inch suspension lift, off-road suspension, and unique design details like red front recovery hooks and body-color trim. The AT4 CarbonPro Edition Package added a carbon fiber composite cargo bed and a MultiPro Audio System for the tailgate, making it a standout choice for off-road enthusiasts.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was a modern take on the mini trucks of the past, with unibody construction and unorthodox styling. At 195.7 inches long, it was over a foot shorter than a Toyota Tacoma but nearly as wide, making it a compact yet spacious option. The Santa Cruz looked more like an SUV with a bed, featuring a toothy grille and blended headlights similar to the Hyundai Tucson. Available with 20-inch wheels or 18-inch wheels for off-roading, the Santa Cruz offered a unique blend of style and functionality. Inside, the design was more conventional, with materials appropriate for its price range and a focus on practicality rather than faux ruggedness.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder engine as a bargain option at $995. This engine produced 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque starting at just 1,500 rpm. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Duramax engine provided impressive torque and smooth gear shifts. The Sierra's automatic four-wheel-drive system was easy to use, and the truck maintained impressive traction in various weather conditions, averaging 21.1 mpg during testing. The AT4's suspension handled tough terrain with ease, making it a versatile option for both off-roading and city driving. The Sierra could tow up to 9,300 pounds and had a payload capacity of 2,150 pounds, making it a strong contender for those needing a workhorse.

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 the optional turbocharged engine offered 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The naturally aspirated version came with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive, while the turbocharged engine was AWD only. The Santa Cruz's multi-link suspension made it fun to drive in corners, and the ride quality was impressive even on 20-inch wheels. With a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,906 pounds, the Santa Cruz was designed more for recreation than heavy-duty work.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with large, supportive front seats and ample rear-seat space. The test truck featured stiff leather seats with power adjustments, heated and cooled cushions, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats were also heated, and the truck included rear air conditioning vents and a power sliding rear window. The CarbonPro Edition option package added a carbon fiber composite cargo bed, increasing the payload rating by 59 pounds. The Sierra's bed could hold between 62.9 and 89.1 cubic feet of cargo, making it one of the most accommodating in its class. However, the interior storage space was less impressive compared to other full-size pickups.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz had a smaller truck bed at 52.1 inches long, limiting its utility for carrying larger items like bicycles or plywood. However, Hyundai included features like a lockable tonneau cover, height-adjustable tailgate, tie-down points, in-bed LED lighting, and a 115-volt power outlet to maximize the available space. 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 Santa Cruz also offered decent storage space in the center console and under the rear seats, though the touch pads for functions like audio volume and climate control were harder to use while driving.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 came equipped with numerous camera-based technologies, including a surround-view camera, trailer- and bed-view cameras, and a rear camera mirror. These features made maneuvering the large truck easier. The optional Technology Package included a 15-inch head-up display and an 8-inch driver information display. The infotainment system offered a choice between a 7-inch and an 8-inch touchscreen display, both of which were fast and responsive. The test truck had the 8-inch display with physical knobs and buttons for easier use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system were standard. The Bose premium sound system was adequate but not as impressive as competitors' offerings.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trim levels offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The digital cluster could display images of blind spots from the optional surround-view camera system. Hyundai's Blue Link telematics service included smartwatch and Google Assistant connectivity. The 10.25-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster in the Limited test vehicle were quick to boot up and responded well to inputs. Wireless device charging and Hyundai's digital-key feature, which allowed the use of a smartphone instead of a key fob, were also available.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered optional forward collision warning, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking, even on the base model. However, these features were not standard on higher trims like the Denali. The Denali did include blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, which were optional on other trims. Lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a Safety Alert Seat were also available. Adaptive cruise control was an option for the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. The Sierra's crash-test ratings were less than stellar, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Marginal" ratings from the IIHS for front passenger protection and headlight performance.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it came with standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-follow assist, rear-seat reminder, and a driver-attention monitor. Higher trim levels offered blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist, a surround-view camera system, and Highway Driving Assist. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, performing well for safe highway driving but struggling with gentle curves, a common issue with similar systems from other manufacturers.