2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2023 RAM 1500

The 2023 RAM 1500, available in both quad cab and larger crew cab configurations, offered a versatile and stylish option for truck enthusiasts. The crew cab variant, which could be paired with either a 5-foot, 7-inch or a 6-foot, 4-inch bed, provided ample space and functionality. The Limited trim, nearly at the top of the eight available trims, featured a $4,145 Night Edition option that replaced the usual chrome accents with a stealthy blacked-out grille, badging, headlamp bezels, mirror caps, and 22-inch black aluminum wheels. Inside, the Limited trim boasted luxurious leather with contrasting stitching, open-pore wood on the dash, and a 12-inch portrait-oriented screen that added a unique touch to the interior.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, a compact unibody crossover with a small bed, was available in SE, SEL, Night, and the new XRT trims, with the Limited trim being the top-tier option. The Santa Cruz, about 14 inches longer than the Hyundai Tucson, shared a similar front-end design with a distinctive Tron-looking grille. The design elements, including protruding fenders and a sharply raked C-pillar, made it stand out. Inside, the Santa Cruz offered high-quality materials and a cohesive design, with a thin horizontal bar of trim spanning the driver and passenger space. The four-spoked steering wheel was a unique design choice, and the fit and finish were impressive for its price point.

The 2023 RAM 1500 provided drivers with a choice between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). The standard engine on lower trims was a 3.6-liter V6 with Ram’s eTorque 48-volt mild hybrid system, while a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with eTorque was optional on lower trims and standard on upper trims. Additionally, a 3.0-liter diesel engine was available on all but the top TRX trim, which featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. The V8 engine produced 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, with the eTorque system providing up to 130 pound-feet of supplemental torque at takeoff. The eight-speed automatic transmission offered smooth shifts, and the EPA rated the V8 4WD eTorque models at 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. The RAM 1500 also excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 12,750 pounds and a payload capacity of up to 2,300 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, available with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), offered a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine on lower trims, producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. However, the Limited trim featured a turbocharged engine with 282 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. This powertrain provided peppy performance and smooth shifts, making passing and uphill driving easy. The Santa Cruz excelled in maneuverability, making it a great city car, and offered a comfortable ride quality. For off-roading, the AWD system included a center locking differential and hill-descent control, although the ground clearance and geometry were not ideal for serious off-road adventures.

The 2023 RAM 1500 featured numerous storage options, including a two-tiered center console with sliding cupholders and a storage bin, as well as a large center console that could accommodate a laptop, purse, and a big box of Cheez-Its. The front seats were heated and cooled, with eight-way adjustability for both the driver and front passenger. The crew cab variant provided ample rear legroom at 45.2 inches, and the rear seats could recline up to eight degrees. The multifunction tailgate could open like a 60/40 split door or a traditional tailgate, and the optional air suspension lowered the open tailgate to just 32.8 inches from the ground. The RamBox storage integrated into the rear quarter panel offered secure, lockable storage for tools and other items.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, while not a traditional pickup truck, offered impressive utility with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds in AWD form and 3,500 pounds in FWD form with a braked trailer. The bed, measuring 52 inches long and nearly 54 inches wide, provided ample space for camping gear and other cargo. Lockable underfloor storage and side cubbies added to the bed's functionality, and the sliding and locking tonneau cover kept items secure. Inside, the rear seats could fold up for taller items, although rear legroom was limited to 36.5 inches. The heated front seats, available on all but the base model, offered three levels of adjustability, while ventilated seats were exclusive to the Limited trim.

The 2023 RAM 1500 received a tech upgrade with a new reconfigurable 12-inch gauge cluster, although it was not available on our tester. The standard infotainment screen on lower trims was 5 inches, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen on mid trims and a 12-inch portrait-oriented screen on upper trims. The Uconnect infotainment system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although there was some lag with the former. The optional Equipment Group 1 added features like a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system. The RAM 1500 Limited also offered multiple USB-A and -C outlets, a wireless charging pad, two 115-volt outlets, and a 12-volt outlet.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Hyundai’s BlueLink infotainment system on SE and SEL trims, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upper trims had a larger 10.25-inch display, but only offered wired smartphone compatibility. The infotainment system was user-friendly with quick response times and clear graphics, although the lack of a physical volume knob was a drawback. Touch-sensitive buttons controlled various functions, but their small size made them difficult to use accurately. Charging options included dual USB-A ports up front on all trims, with additional USB-A ports for rear passengers on the Limited trim. Wireless charging was standard on the top three trims and available on the SEL trim.

The 2023 RAM 1500 lacked standard advanced driver-assist systems, with features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning being optional or part of a package. However, the blind-spot monitoring system could cover the length of a trailer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2023 RAM 1500 crew cab an overall safety rating of five stars, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it Good in most categories, with Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and LATCH ease of use.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a comprehensive set of advanced driver-assistance systems, including forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert on all trims. The XRT trim and above added adaptive cruise control and enhanced forward-collision avoidance. The Limited trim featured Highway Drive Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, as well as a blind-spot view monitor. The NHTSA gave the 2024 Santa Cruz five stars in a front crash and four stars in a rollover rating. The 2023 model received Good or Superior ratings from the IIHS, with the 2024 model expected to perform similarly due to upgraded headlamps.