Compare the2023 Toyota Tacoma VS 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Toyota Tacoma has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Tacoma has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Tacoma and the Santa Cruz have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available four-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 49 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Tacoma’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Tacoma’s reliability 29 points higher than the Santa Cruz.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 6th.

The Tacoma’s optional 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 87 more horsepower (278 vs. 191) and 84 lbs.-ft. more torque (265 vs. 181) than the Santa Cruz’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The Tacoma has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Santa Cruz (21.1 vs. 17.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better traction, the Tacoma TRD Sport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Santa Cruz (265/65R17 vs. 245/60R18).

The Toyota Tacoma’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Hyundai Santa Cruz only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Tacoma has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your work or a trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Santa Cruz; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Tacoma has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tacoma Short Bed Double Cab’s wheelbase is 9.1 inches longer than on the Santa Cruz (127.4 inches vs. 118.3 inches). The Tacoma Long Bed Double Cab’s wheelbase is 22.3 inches longer than on the Santa Cruz (140.6 inches vs. 118.3 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Tacoma has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Santa Cruz (9.4 vs. 8.6 inches), allowing the Tacoma to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Tacoma Double Cab shortbed has a much larger cargo box than the Santa Cruz shortbed (34.8 vs. 27 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Tacoma. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Hyundai Santa Cruz is limited to 5000 pounds. The Tacoma Access Cab offers up to a 6800 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the Tacoma is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Santa Cruz. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Tacoma’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Santa Cruz SEL/SEL Premium/Night/Limited.

The Toyota Tacoma comes in extended cab and crew cab bodystyles; the Hyundai Santa Cruz isn’t available as an extended cab.

The TRD Off-Road was selected by Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine as their 2016 4x4 of the Year. The Santa Cruz has never been chosen.

The Toyota Tacoma outsold the Hyundai Santa Cruz by over 92 to one during the 2021 model year.