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Compare the2025 Hyundai Santa CruzVS 2024 Jeep Gladiator

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
2024 Jeep Gladiator

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/11/03

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Hyundai Santa Cruz have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Jeep Gladiator doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Santa Cruz are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

With its standard front crash prevention, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Jeep Gladiator, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Santa Cruz

Gladiator

Overall Evaluation

ACCEPTABLE

POOR

Crossing Child - DAY

12 MPH

AVOIDED

No Slowing

25 MPH

AVOIDED

No Slowing

Crossing Adult - NIGHT

12 MPH Brights

-11 MPH

No Slowing

12 MPH Low beams

AVOIDED

No Slowing

25 MPH Brights

-21 MPH

No Slowing

25 MPH Low beams

-15 MPH

No Slowing

Parallel Adult - NIGHT

25 MPH Brights

AVOIDED

No Slowing

25 MPH Low beams

AVOIDED

No Slowing

37 MPH Brights

-33 MPH

No Slowing

Warning Issued-Brights

1.7 sec

No Warning

37 MPH Low beams

-35 MPH

No Slowing

Warning Issued-Low beams

1.7 sec

No Warning

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Santa Cruz SEL/SEL Premium/Limited has standard Parking Collision Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Gladiator doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Santa Cruz’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Santa Cruz XRT/Limited has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Gladiator only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Santa Cruz has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Gladiator’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Santa Cruz has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Jeep charges extra for Rear Cross Path Detection on the Gladiator and the Gladiator’s Rear Cross Path Detection does not include automatic braking.

The Santa Cruz’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Santa Cruz uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Gladiator uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Santa Cruz and the Gladiator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Gladiator is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

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The Santa Cruz comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Gladiator’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Santa Cruz 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Jeep covers the Gladiator. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Gladiator ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Santa Cruz’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Gladiator’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Santa Cruz for 1 year longer than Jeep pays for maintenance for the Gladiator (3 years vs. 2 years).

Reliability

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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 Santa Cruz’s reliability 16 points higher than the Gladiator.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Santa Cruz first among midsize pickups in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Gladiator isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 19th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 15 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

Engine

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The Santa Cruz’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 260) than the Gladiator’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Hyundai Santa Cruz turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Jeep Gladiator (automatics tested):

Santa Cruz

Gladiator

Zero to 30 MPH

2.2 sec

2.7 sec

Zero to 60 MPH

6 sec

8.7 sec

Zero to 80 MPH

9.8 sec

15.1 sec

Passing 45 to 65 MPH

3 sec

4.9 sec

Quarter Mile

14.5 sec

16.5 sec

Speed in 1/4 Mile

98.2 MPH

83.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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On the EPA test cycle the Santa Cruz gets better mileage than the Gladiator:

MPG

Santa Cruz

FWD

Auto

2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.

22 city/30 hwy

AWD

Auto

2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.

21 city/29 hwy

Limited 2.5 turbo 4-cyl.

19 city/27 hwy

XRT 2.5 turbo 4-cyl.

18 city/26 hwy

Gladiator

AWD

Manual

3.6 DOHC V6

16 city/21 hwy

AWD

Auto

3.6 DOHC V6

17 city/22 hwy

The Santa Cruz has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Gladiator. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

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The Hyundai Santa Cruz comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Gladiator.

The Santa Cruz offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Gladiator doesn’t offer an SMG.

Brakes and Stopping

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The Santa Cruz stops much shorter than the Gladiator:

Santa Cruz

Gladiator

60 to 0 MPH

119 feet

136 feet

Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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The Santa Cruz’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Gladiator Sport’s standard 75 series tires. The Santa Cruz Limited’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Gladiator Rubicon/Mojave’s 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Santa Cruz has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Gladiator. The Santa Cruz Limited has standard 20-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

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The Hyundai Santa Cruz’s independent front suspension is much lighter than the Jeep Gladiator’s solid front axle, which allows the Santa Cruz’s wheels to react more quickly and accurately to the road’s surface, improving both ride and handling.

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Santa Cruz has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Jeep Gladiator has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Santa Cruz has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For much better steering response and tighter handling the Santa Cruz has rack and pinion steering, like Formula racecars, instead of the recirculating-ball type steering of the Gladiator.

The Santa Cruz SEL 4x4 handles at .83 G’s, while the Gladiator Mojave pulls only .70 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Santa Cruz’s turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the Gladiator 4x4’s (39.6 feet vs. 44.5 feet). The Santa Cruz’s turning circle is 5.1 feet tighter than the Gladiator 4x4 Rubicon/Mojave’s (39.6 feet vs. 44.7 feet).

Chassis

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The Hyundai Santa Cruz may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 850 pounds less than the Jeep Gladiator.

The Santa Cruz is 1 foot, 10.3 inches shorter than the Gladiator, making the Santa Cruz easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Santa Cruz is 6.4 inches shorter in height than the Gladiator, making the Santa Cruz much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the Santa Cruz’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Gladiator doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Santa Cruz has standard flush composite headlights. The Gladiator has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Passenger Space

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The Santa Cruz has .2 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more front hip room, 2 inches more front shoulder room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Gladiator.

The front step up height for the Santa Cruz is 6 inches lower than the Gladiator (19” vs. 25”). The Santa Cruz’s rear step up height is 7 inches lower than the Gladiator’s (19” vs. 26”).

Cargo Capacity

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The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a standard tailgate assist feature, which prevents the heavy tailgate from falling with a crash and causing injury. It allows adults and children to easily open and close the tailgate with one hand to better facilitate loading and unloading. The Jeep Gladiator doesn’t offer a tailgate assist.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a standard rear cargo step, which allows for much easier access to the cargo area. The Jeep Gladiator doesn’t offer a rear cargo step.

Payload

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The Santa Cruz has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Gladiator (1411 vs. 1150 lbs.).

Ergonomics

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The Santa Cruz’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Gladiator has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Santa Cruz’s standard power windows allow the driver or passenger to lower and raise the windows without leaning over or being distracted. Power windows cost extra on the Gladiator.

The Santa Cruz SEL/XRT/Limited’s front power windows both open or close with one touch of the switches. The Gladiator’s power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The Santa Cruz’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Gladiator’s optional power window controls are down in the center of the dashboard, away from the windows and mixed with controls for unrelated features.

On a hot day the Santa Cruz’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Gladiator can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Santa Cruz’s standard power locks allow the driver or passenger to lock or unlock all the doors at a touch without leaning over, or reaching to the back seat. Power locks cost extra on the Gladiator.

The Santa Cruz’s standard Proximity Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the tailgate, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Gladiator only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the truck.

The Santa Cruz Limited’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Gladiator’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Santa Cruz’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Gladiator’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Consumer Reports rated the Santa Cruz’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Gladiator’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Santa Cruz’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Gladiator’s headlights are rated “Marginal” to “Poor.”

The Santa Cruz has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Gladiator only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

The Santa Cruz has standard power remote mirrors. The Gladiator only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Santa Cruz Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Gladiator doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Santa Cruz SEL Activity/XRT/Limited has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Gladiator doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/11/03

The Santa Cruz is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/11/03

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Santa Cruz will be $1348 to $6757 less than for the Jeep Gladiator.

Recommendations

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/11/03

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Santa Cruz, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Gladiator isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Santa Cruz second among midsize pickups in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Gladiator isn’t in the top three.

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