2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss presented a rugged and adventurous appearance with its factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders, and deeply sculpted hood. Its blacked-out look, especially in Radiant Red, emphasized its off-road readiness. The Colorado's design was well-balanced, with a stance that conveyed strength without being overly aggressive. Inside, the truck drew inspiration from the Camaro, featuring dashboard toggle switches and round air vents, creating a sporty yet functional cabin. However, the base Work Truck (WT) and Trail Boss trims had a gray front fascia and a less appealing interior, with the Trail Boss offering a front skid plate for added protection. The interior's plastic materials lacked color contrast, and the Trail Boss's cabin was notably less refined compared to higher trims like the LT, Z71, and ZR2, which boasted more vibrant interiors.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, though not a traditional pickup, offered a unique unibody crossover design with a small bed. Available in SE, SEL, Night, and the new XRT trims, the Limited trim stood out with its distinctive styling. The Santa Cruz was longer than the Hyundai Tucson, sharing a similar front end with a Tron-like grille. Its design was intentional, with protruding fenders and a sharply raked C-pillar, making it a head-turner. Inside, the Santa Cruz balanced quality materials with a funky four-spoked steering wheel. The interior was well-finished, with high-quality plastics and a cohesive design. A horizontal trim bar spanned the cabin, delineating driver and passenger spaces, while the rear offered fold-up seats for added versatility. The Santa Cruz's interior was practical and stylish, appealing to those seeking a modern and functional vehicle.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado was equipped with a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. In the WT and LT trims, it produced 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the Trail Boss and Z71 trims offered 310 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. The ZR2 model matched the 310-hp rating but delivered 430 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 featuring a two-speed transfer case for enhanced off-road capability. The Trail Boss had a 2-inch suspension lift, while the ZR2 boasted a 3-inch lift and exclusive Multimatic DSSV dampers. The Colorado offered five driving modes, including a Baja mode exclusive to the ZR2. The Trail Boss excelled off-road, with its all-terrain tires and Off-Road mode contributing to its performance. On pavement, the Colorado was quiet and handled well, though its fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 17 mpg.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine with 191 horsepower and a turbocharged engine with 282 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, provided peppy performance and smooth shifts. The Santa Cruz excelled in maneuverability, making it ideal for city driving and tight spaces. It also had off-road capabilities, with an AWD system featuring a center locking differential and hill-descent control. However, its ground clearance and geometry limited its off-road prowess. The Santa Cruz's ride quality was excellent, and it handled rough pavement with ease. Its compact size made it a versatile choice for urban environments, while its turbocharged engine offered spirited performance.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss offered comfortable seating for four, with the option to squeeze in a fifth passenger. The cloth upholstery attracted pet hair, but the eight-way power driver's seat provided a comfortable driving position. The back seat offered adequate room for six-footers, with rear air conditioning vents in all trims except the WT. The Colorado's air conditioning system was effective, cooling the cabin quickly. Storage space was limited, with small door trays and a narrow center armrest compartment. The cargo bed measured 41.9 cubic feet, with an EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate and a StowFlex storage panel. The Mid-Position tailgate feature allowed for carrying long items.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, though not a traditional pickup, offered practical utility. In AWD form, it had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with a braked trailer. The bed measured 52 inches long and nearly 54 inches wide, with lockable underfloor storage and side cubbies. The Santa Cruz's payload capacity was 1,411 pounds. A sliding and locking tonneau cover protected the bed, though the latch was finicky. Inside, the rear seats folded up for taller items, but legroom was limited to 36.5 inches. Heated front seats were available on all but the base model, with ventilated seats on the Limited trim. The Santa Cruz's interior was practical and comfortable, with features catering to everyday needs.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado featured digital instrumentation and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology. Even the base WT trim included these features. The infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Google Assistant provided natural voice recognition, while Google Maps offered updated navigation. The system also included a Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless charging. The Colorado's infotainment system was sophisticated, though Google Assistant required some acclimation. The truck also featured advanced trailer-towing technology, including high-definition cameras for easier hitching.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered an 8-inch touchscreen with Hyundai's BlueLink infotainment system on SE and SEL trims, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upper trims featured a larger 10.25-inch display with wired smartphone compatibility. The infotainment system was intuitive, though it lacked a physical volume knob. Touch-sensitive buttons controlled various functions, but their small size required precise input. Charging options were limited, with dual USB-A ports up front and two additional ports for rear passengers on the Limited trim. Wireless charging was available on higher trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado came with a comprehensive list of safety features, including OnStar for emergency calling and automatic crash notification. The Chevy Safety Assist package included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. However, the forward-collision warning system was prone to false alerts, causing frustration during testing.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a robust set of advanced driver-assistance systems, including forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision avoidance, and lane-keep assist. The Limited trim featured Hyundai's Highway Drive Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering. The blind-spot view monitor displayed side-view video in the gauge cluster. The NHTSA awarded the Santa Cruz five stars in front crash tests and four stars for rollover. The IIHS rated the 2023 model highly, with improvements in the 2024 model's headlamps.