2023 RAM 2500 vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, with its smaller footprint compared to current midsize pickups, evoked memories of the mini trucks from the 1970s to 1990s. However, its unibody construction and unique styling made it more akin to 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 over a foot shorter than a Toyota Tacoma but nearly as wide. Its 118.3-inch wheelbase was 9.1 inches shorter than the Tacoma’s. Despite being larger than the 2022 Hyundai Tucson compact crossover SUV, the Santa Cruz was not exactly tiny.

The Santa Cruz resembled an SUV with a bed rather than a traditional small pickup. Its toothy grille and blended headlights, similar to the Tucson, ensured it stood out on the road. The only nods to traditional truck styling were the “Santa Cruz” name stamped into the tailgate, some plastic body cladding, and a bit of chrome. Available with 20-inch wheels that filled the arches nicely, Hyundai also offered 18-inch wheels for off-roading. Inside, the design was more conventional, with materials appropriate for its price range and mission as a rugged “adventure vehicle.”

The 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel, meanwhile, shared a familiar look with the Power Wagon but without the graphics, 17-inch wheels, and 12,000-pound Warn winch. Instead, it featured an aluminum sport hood, 20-inch wheels, and cleaner flanks, resulting in an aggressive appearance with a trendy blacked-out look. All Ram 2500 Rebels came with a Rebel-specific grille, a crew-cab configuration, and a 6-foot, 4-inch cargo bed. The standard 6.4-liter V8 engine was complemented by an optional 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel inline-six, which was not available in the Power Wagon due to cooling requirements.

Priced at $67,045 plus a $1,895 destination charge, the 2023 Ram 2500 Rebel could reach an MSRP of $91,630 with options like the Cummins turbodiesel, Safety Group, Towing Tech Group, and a 17-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system. The 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel benefited from changes across the Ram lineup for 2023, including a new 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and side-view cameras. Towing enhancements included power telescopic towing mirrors, trailer and side-view capabilities for the digital rearview mirror, and a Trailer Tow Pages app. The interior, with quality materials and fancy finishes, offered a luxurious appearance, though the gloss black plastic surrounding the infotainment system was prone to showing dust and fingerprints.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The base, naturally aspirated engine produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while an optional turbocharged engine delivered 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The naturally aspirated version offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD), while the turbocharged 2.5-liter was AWD only. The Santa Cruz’s multi-link suspension made it fun to drive in corners, and the self-leveling feature accounted for a loaded bed. The turbo engine provided ample thrust, though towing and off-roading capabilities were limited.

The Santa Cruz had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds with the naturally aspirated engine and 5,000 pounds with the turbo engine, along with a maximum payload capacity of 1,906 pounds. With 8.6 inches of ground clearance and four driven wheels, it offered respectable off-road capability but lacked low range, locking differentials, and underbody protection.

The 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel featured a standard 6.4-liter V8 engine producing 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive (4WD). The part-time transfer case offered 4-Hi and 4-Lo settings, and a front-axle disconnect system improved gas mileage by allowing rear-wheel drive (RWD). The optional Cummins 6.7-liter turbodiesel inline-six produced 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The diesel engine, though pricier, offered better fuel efficiency, with observed figures of 19.1 mpg on highways and 14.7 mpg off-road.

The 2500 Rebel’s maximum towing capacity was 16,870 pounds with the V8 engine, and its payload capacity was 3,140 pounds. The truck’s frame, made of 98.5 percent high-strength steel, provided a robust foundation. The Rebel added 20-inch wheels with 33-inch off-road tires, a locking rear differential, a limited-slip rear differential, and skid plates for the fuel tank and transfer case. The truck proved capable on various terrains, offering a smooth and refined ride.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz’s small truck bed, at 52.1 inches long, limited its utility. Typical cargo like bicycles or a 4x8 sheet of plywood wouldn’t fit completely in the bed. However, Hyundai included features like a standard lockable tonneau cover, a 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, and outward visibility was good.

The 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel required physical effort to enter and exit, with large handles on the roof pillars aiding the process. The Cummins turbodiesel’s six-speed automatic used a column shift, which felt cheap and lacked clear gear engagement. Depending on the configuration, the truck offered cloth or leather upholstery and a front bench or bucket seats. The back seat was roomy and comfortable, with air conditioning vents, heated outboard cushions, USB charging ports, and a 115-volt/400-watt AC power outlet. The truck provided ample storage space, with options like a spray-in bedliner, LED lighting, and a step for bed access. The available Ram Box locking bedside storage bins were a notable feature.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including 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 show 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 looked great and worked well, with quick boot-up and response times.

The 2023 RAM 2500 featured a new 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, offering gauge and menu tile display configurations. The truck also had numerous improvements to its exterior camera systems and trailering technologies, including blind-spot cameras and a digital rearview mirror. The Trailer Reverse Steering Control option allowed the driver to steer the trailer using a dashboard knob. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with a 12-inch touchscreen, included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a navigation system. The optional 17-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system provided excellent audio quality. The infotainment screen remained bright and visible on sunny days, and the voice-recognition system handled common queries well.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, being a new model, did not have safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, it offered standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-follow assist, rear-seat reminder, and a driver-attention monitor. Higher trim levels included blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist, a surround-view camera system, and Highway Driving Assist.

The 2023 RAM 2500 offered several advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking (including for trailer brakes), lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist systems proved useful on wide two-lane highways. Crash-test ratings were not available, but the truck’s size and weight provided a sense of security.