2023 Nissan Frontier vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
$24,440MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Nissan Frontier
2023 Nissan Frontier
$29,570MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
$24,440MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Nissan Frontier
$29,570MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

MSRP

$24,440

MSRP

$29,570

Average price

$36,526

Average price

$44,264

Listings

58

Listings

47
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.3 out of 10
Pros
  • Nice range of color options
  • Impressive stereo upgrade
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Sluggish transmission
  • Poor fuel economy

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Reviews Summary

Being a newbie in a given field means having to catch up to established leaders, but it can also bring a different perspective. Hyundai has never sold a pickup truck in the United States, and its first effort is unlike anything else on the market.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the first truly compact pickup to be sold in the U.S. in over a decade, and unlike conventional body-on-frame pickups, it features car-like unibody construction. This packaging sacrifices some capability, but that’s beside the point. Hyundai didn’t design the Santa Cruz to compete directly with conventional trucks. It doesn’t even call the Santa Cruz a pickup; it prefers the term “sport adventure vehicle.”

While it may win over some truck buyers who want a pickup that’s easier to park, the new Santa Cruz will appeal mainly to new-car buyers who want to replace a sedan or crossover SUV with something a bit more rugged.

To figure out where the Santa Cruz fits into the current automotive landscape, we spent a day driving it around on roads in and around its namesake California city. The test units were in U.S. specification. In Canada, Hyundai also offers Preferred, Preferred with the Trend Package, and Ultimate trim levels. We sampled the U.S. equivalent of the range-topping Santa Cruz Ultimate model for this test drive.

2023 Nissan Frontier Reviews Summary

Fortunately, Nissan appears to be happy with it: The automaker’s midsize truck gets just a few minor tweaks, mostly in the form of additional standard features, in the second year of its current iteration. We spent a day putting the 2023 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X through its paces on- and off-road.
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.5L 191 hp I4

Engine

3.8L 310 hp V6

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

4X2

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

4

Horsepower

191 hp @ 6100 rpm

Horsepower

310 hp @ 6400 rpm

MPG City

21

MPG City

18

MPG Highway

26

MPG Highway

24
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
$24,440MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Nissan Frontier
2023 Nissan Frontier
$29,570MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
$24,440MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Nissan Frontier
$29,570MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
MSRP
$24,440
$29,570
Average price
$36,526
$44,264
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.6
4.7
Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Read full review

8.3 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Nice range of color options
  • Impressive stereo upgrade
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Sluggish transmission
  • Poor fuel economy
Summary

Being a newbie in a given field means having to catch up to established leaders, but it can also bring a different perspective. Hyundai has never sold a pickup truck in the United States, and its first effort is unlike anything else on the market.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the first truly compact pickup to be sold in the U.S. in over a decade, and unlike conventional body-on-frame pickups, it features car-like unibody construction. This packaging sacrifices some capability, but that’s beside the point. Hyundai didn’t design the Santa Cruz to compete directly with conventional trucks. It doesn’t even call the Santa Cruz a pickup; it prefers the term “sport adventure vehicle.”

While it may win over some truck buyers who want a pickup that’s easier to park, the new Santa Cruz will appeal mainly to new-car buyers who want to replace a sedan or crossover SUV with something a bit more rugged.

To figure out where the Santa Cruz fits into the current automotive landscape, we spent a day driving it around on roads in and around its namesake California city. The test units were in U.S. specification. In Canada, Hyundai also offers Preferred, Preferred with the Trend Package, and Ultimate trim levels. We sampled the U.S. equivalent of the range-topping Santa Cruz Ultimate model for this test drive.

Fortunately, Nissan appears to be happy with it: The automaker’s midsize truck gets just a few minor tweaks, mostly in the form of additional standard features, in the second year of its current iteration. We spent a day putting the 2023 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X through its paces on- and off-road.
Video
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
2.5L 191 hp I4
3.8L 310 hp V6
Drive Train
FWD
4X2
Seating Capacity
5
4
Horsepower
191 hp @ 6100 rpm
310 hp @ 6400 rpm
MPG City
21
18
MPG Highway
26
24
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