2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2024 Chevrolet Colorado

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz was a unique blend of a unibody crossover and a compact pickup truck, offering a distinctive design that set it apart from traditional pickups. Available in SE, SEL, Night, and the new XRT trims, the Limited trim was the top-tier option. The Santa Cruz was about 14 inches longer than the Hyundai Tucson, sharing a similar front end with a striking grille design. Its design elements, such as the protruding fenders and sharply raked C-pillar, were intentional and eye-catching. Inside, the Santa Cruz was neither overly luxurious nor sparse, with high-quality materials and a cohesive design. The four-spoked steering wheel was a unique touch, and the interior trim created a clear division between driver and passenger spaces.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado embraced a bold, aggressive design inspired by the Camaro, featuring rakish headlights and a sharply angled grille. The interior followed similar design trends, with Camaro-inspired circular climate control vents and a clean, horizontal dashboard layout. The Colorado was available in WT, LT, Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 trims, with the WT offering a surprising level of standard features for a base model. The LT trim added value with additional features, and various convenience packages offered further enhancements. Off-road enthusiasts could choose from the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 trims, each offering unique off-road capabilities. The ZR2 Bison, in particular, was equipped with extensive off-road protection and unique bodywork, making it a formidable off-road vehicle.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) across its trims. Lower trims featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the turbocharged engine in the Limited trim delivered 282 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, providing a peppy performance with smooth shifts from the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Cruz excelled in maneuverability, making it ideal for city driving and tight parking spaces. While it could handle some off-roading, its ground clearance and approach angles were more suited for gravel roads.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado came exclusively with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, both displacing 2.4 liters. The base engine produced 237 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the Turbo Max version delivered 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing solid low-end power and responsive acceleration. The Colorado's maximum towing capacity was 7,700 pounds, with a payload capacity of 1,710 pounds. The ZR2 Bison trim, designed for off-road adventures, featured Multimatic DSSV dampers for exceptional shock absorption. On paved roads, the ZR2 Bison offered a comfortable ride, though its off-road suspension resulted in a firmer feel.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, despite not being a traditional pickup, offered practical utility with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds in AWD form. Its bed measured 52 inches long and nearly 54 inches wide, with lockable underfloor storage and multiple tie-down points. The sliding and locking tonneau cover provided security for cargo, though the latch could be finicky. Inside, the rear seats folded up for additional cargo space, but rear legroom was limited to 36.5 inches. Heated front seats were available on all but the base model, with ventilated seats offered in the Limited trim.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado featured a four-door quad cab with a 5-foot, 2-inch bed, providing decent space for gear. The car-like seating position offered comfort for long trips, with ample front-row legroom and a user-friendly layout for controls. However, second-row legroom was tight, especially for taller passengers. The high bed wall and floor made loading items challenging, but the larger bed steps in the rear bumper were a practical addition. The ZR2 Bison's spare tire mounted in the bed reduced usable space, which could be a consideration for frequent bed users.

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, though it only offered wired smartphone compatibility. The infotainment system was intuitive, but the lack of a physical volume knob was a notable omission. Charging options were limited, with dual USB-A ports up front and two additional ports for rear passengers in the Limited trim. Wireless charging was standard on higher trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado came standard with an 11.3-inch touchscreen, featuring a logical layout and a digital dock for easy navigation. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a digital home button and a physical volume dial for user-friendly operation. The Colorado also included an 11-inch fully digital instrument panel, Bluetooth connectivity, and satellite radio. The LT trim added wireless device charging and additional USB ports, with further enhancements available through convenience packages.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a comprehensive suite 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 Santa Cruz received a five-star front crash rating from the NHTSA, though it had not been rated by the IIHS for 2024.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado also came with a robust set of standard driver assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. The LT Convenience Package III added reverse automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. The Colorado earned four stars for frontal crash testing and five stars for side crash testing from the NHTSA.