2022 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

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 akin to the Subaru Baja or a smaller Honda Ridgeline. Measuring 4,970 mm in length, 1,905 mm in width, and 1,695 mm in height, the Santa Cruz was notably shorter than the Toyota Tacoma, yet nearly as wide. Its wheelbase of 3,005 mm was also shorter, but it was larger than the Hyundai Tucson compact crossover SUV. The Santa Cruz's design leaned more towards an SUV with a bed, featuring a distinctive grille and integrated headlights, setting it apart from traditional small pickups. The interior, while conventional, was honest in its design, with materials that matched its price range and purpose as a rugged adventure vehicle.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced new Denali Ultimate and AT4X variants, expanding its premium and purpose-built lineup. Despite unchanged dimensions, the Sierra appeared larger and more aggressive, thanks to an updated grille, front fascia, and headlight design. The Denali's grille transitioned to a "tri-linear" theme, while the Denali Ultimate featured dark-coloured "Vader bars." The Sierra's exterior design remained largely unchanged, offering various cab and bed configurations, including a CarbonPro cargo bed and MultiPro tailgate. Inside, the Sierra's cabin felt more spacious due to a redesign, with premium materials elevating the AT4X and Denali Ultimate trims. The AT4X, designed for off-road driving, boasted luxury features like premium leather and genuine wood trim, while the Denali Ultimate showcased full-grain leather and open-pore wood, with topographical maps of Mount Denali embossed within.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Canada came equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Its multi-link suspension provided a fun driving experience, with a self-levelling feature for a loaded bed. The ride quality was impressive, even on 20-inch wheels, with low cabin noise. The Santa Cruz offered a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kg and a payload capacity of 864 kg, aligning more with midsize SUVs than traditional pickups. However, its off-road capabilities were limited, lacking low range and locking differentials.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered four engine options, including a 2.7L turbo four-cylinder with 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.8-litre Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine's towing capacity reached up to 5,987 kg with the Max Trailering Package. Other engine options included a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 hp and a 6.2L Ecotec3 V8 with 420 hp. The Sierra's ride was smooth and comfortable, with the Denali Ultimate offering a quiet and compliant experience. The AT4X, designed for off-road adventures, featured Multimatic DSSV dampers, e-locking differentials, and a chassis calibrated for off-road readiness. Its off-road test showcased its capabilities, although the test conditions were not overly challenging.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a maximum payload capacity of 864 kg, but its 1,323 mm long truck bed limited utility. Hyundai included features like a lockable tonneau cover, adjustable tailgate, tie-down points, and in-bed lighting to maximize space. The Santa Cruz was available only in a four-door crew-cab configuration, with tight rear-seat legroom but decent front-seat space. Storage was ample, with a centre console and under-seat compartments, although touch pads for controls were less user-friendly while driving.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 excelled in roominess and utility, with best-in-class cargo capacity even in its short bed. Front headroom was 1,093 mm, with rear-seat headroom averaging over 1 metre. Front legroom was 1,131 mm, while rear legroom varied by cab type. The Sierra's cabin offered numerous storage options, though gloveboxes were small. Ergonomics were a bit perplexing, with low-positioned screens and an abundance of knobs and buttons. The AT4X's off-road controls were split between the steering wheel and centre console.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster available on higher trims. The digital cluster displayed blind spot images from the surround-view camera system, and Hyundai's Blue Link telematics offered smartwatch and Google Assistant connectivity. The touchscreen was responsive, with clear graphics and quick boot-up times.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered larger display screens, with a 12.3-inch digital cluster and 13.4-inch touchscreen on most trims. The infotainment system included Google built-in, Bluetooth, OnStar, and wireless smartphone connectivity. The Denali models featured an interactive start-up screen, while the infotainment screen allowed for personalization and dual modes. Wireless charging, a head-up display, and a Bose audio system were available options.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. A surround-view camera system and Highway Driving Assist were available on higher trims. The NHTSA ratings were not yet available.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced GM's Super Cruise, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system, as a standard feature on the Denali Ultimate. The Sierra offered up to 14 camera views, a GCW Alert feature, and Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert. GMC Pro Safety included features like forward collision alert and lane-keep assist. The Sierra received mostly "Good" crash safety ratings from the IIHS but had a "Marginal" grade in the front-passenger small overlap test and a "Poor" grade for headlights. NHTSA ratings for 4WD variants were not yet available.