When you’re looking for a sporty pickup truck with powerful performance and luxury amenities, you may consider either the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz or the 2023 Nissan Frontier. Though both vehicles offer plenty of desirable features, one has a clear advantage in terms of efficiency, design, and technology. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive guide comparing the Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Nissan Frontier to help with your decision.
Price and Trim Levels
While the Santa Cruz and the Frontier are both affordable options for pickup trucks, you’ll save a bit of money when you choose the Hyundai. The entry-level Santa Cruz, the SE, has a starting MSRP of $25,700, compared with $29,370 for the Frontier’s base trim. Besides the SE, the Santa Cruz comes in SEL, Night, SEL Premium, and Limited trims. Each trim builds on others to add more features and amenities, with price increases between each model.
The Nissan Frontier also comes in a range of trim levels, including the S, SV, Midnight Edition, and PRO-4X. Both the S and SV come in king and crew cab versions, and you can also get the SV with a longer 6-foot bed. The two upper trims only come in crew-cab versions with four doors. Like the Hyundai Santa Cruz, the Nissan Frontier increases in price while gaining features as you advance in the trim levels.
Engine Specs
A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine powers the 2023 Santa Cruz, generating 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. In the SEL Premium and Limited trims, you’ll get an upgraded 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbo engine that produces 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Those trims come standard with all-wheel drive, enabling the vehicle to achieve superior traction on uneven terrain or slippery roads.
With the standard engine and front-wheel drive, the Hyundai Santa Cruz achieves EPA-estimated fuel ratings of 26 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city. In models with the turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive, the Santa Cruz gets 27 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city. Whether you’re commuting in the East Bay or heading up the coast on your next adventure, you’ll get farther on a tank of gas in the Santa Cruz.
In comparison, every 2023 Nissan Frontier comes with the same powertrain. A 3.8-liter V-6 engine produces 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. The engine mates with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel drive. Every trim also comes with optional four-wheel drive for an additional cost. Rear-wheel-drive Frontiers get 24 mpg on the highway and 18 mpg in the city. If you opt for a version with four-wheel drive, those numbers drop further to 22 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg in the city.
Exterior Design and Cargo Space
This category highlights one of the biggest differences between the Santa Cruz and the Nissan Frontier. The Santa Cruz combines elements of a compact SUV and a pickup truck, creating a distinctive style that offers ultimate comfort and functionality. It has an open truck bed with innovative storage solutions, including an under-bed storage compartment that doubles as a cooler. A multifunction tailgate comes standard, and you can adjust the height to make it taller for additional support. With 27 cubic feet of volume in the cargo area, there’s plenty of room for your tools, bikes, camping equipment, and other gear.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz rides on standard 18-inch alloy wheels or available 20-inch wheels. LED daytime running lights and taillights come standard, and some trims also have LED bed lights. Every Santa Cruz has automatic headlights with high-beam assist.
Compared with the Santa Cruz, the Nissan Frontier has a more traditional truck design, with a full-length boxed frame. The pickup truck comes with a locking, dampened assist tailgate in the back. Though it lacks the same storage features as the Santa Cruz, the Frontier does offer slightly more space in the bed, with 40.1 cubic feet of volume.
The 2023 Frontier comes standard with 16-inch styled steel wheels, and various 17-inch wheel styles are available. The Frontier also has automatic high-beam headlights and LED taillights, but LED daytime running lights don’t come standard like they do in the Santa Cruz.
Interior Space
Inside the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz, you and your passengers will enjoy dozens of premium features. Stain-resistant cloth upholstery covers the seats, or you can choose the Limited trim for leather-trimmed seats. Besides the base trim, every Santa Cruz has heated front seats with three settings and an eight-way power driver’s seat. A power tilt-and-slide sunroof, available on the SEL and standard on the Night trim and above, allows you to breathe in the fresh air while you’re driving around Dublin, California.
The 2023 Nissan Frontier comes with cloth interior, and while leather-appointed seats are available for some trims, this upholstery isn’t standard in any model. Similarly, heated front seats are optional, but you’ll have to pay an additional cost to get them as part of a package. A power sliding glass moonroof is also available in an add-on package.
Entertainment and Technology Features
Every Hyundai Santa Cruz comes loaded with features to keep you connected and entertained on your drive. An 8-inch touch screen provides wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. In the Santa Cruz Limited, you’ll get an even larger 10.25-inch screen with navigation. This trim also comes with a Bose premium audio system and HD radio with traffic information, including incident data. Front dual USB ports come standard in the Santa Cruz, and some models offer wireless device charging.
The Nissan Frontier also comes with a standard 8-inch touch screen, with a larger 9-inch screen in the Frontier PRO-4X. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration come standard, but you’ll need to connect with a cord unless you choose the top-level trim. A four-speaker audio system comes standard, and a 10-speaker Fender audio system is available. Wireless charging is optional as part of a package.
Test-Drive a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Dublin, California
With its affordable price, maximum efficiency, and superior interior amenities, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is the clear winner in a head-to-head matchup with the Nissan Frontier. If you agree, we encourage you to visit us at Dublin Hyundai and test-drive a Santa Cruz for yourself. We carry a vast selection of all-new models, including the Santa Cruz and other Hyundai SUVs, cars, and electric vehicles. Our friendly sales team can help you find a vehicle with exactly what you’re looking for, whether it’s all-wheel drive or wireless smartphone integration. Contact us for more information.
Image by Jakob Owens is licensed with unsplash license
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