2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2024 Ford F-150

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, from the protruding fenders to the 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 fit and finish were commendable, with even the plastics feeling pleasant to the touch.

In contrast, the 2024 Ford F-150 offered a more traditional truck experience with a vast array of configurations and trim levels. Buyers could choose from eight different trims, various cab styles, bed lengths, and engine options. The base XL model was basic, while the King Ranch trim offered luxury with features like heated and ventilated leather seats and wood trim. Mid-level trims, however, had some cheap-looking surfaces. The F-150 retained its chunky buttons and knobs, making it user-friendly even with gloves on. The exterior saw subtle updates, with new wheel options and distinctive changes in the Tremor model. Inside, Ford introduced new earth-tone interior options, enhancing the truck's appeal.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered versatility with its engine options. Lower trims came with 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 ride quality and maneuverability, making it ideal for city driving. It also had off-road capabilities, with an AWD system featuring a center locking differential and hill-descent control, although its ground clearance and geometry limited its off-road prowess.

The 2024 Ford F-150 offered a range of powerful engine options, with the PowerBoost Hybrid standing out. This 3.5-liter turbo V6 hybrid produced 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque, providing impressive performance. The 10-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth gear changes. The Tremor and Raptor R variants offered even more power, with the Raptor R boasting a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 720 horsepower. The F-150 excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like Trail Turn Assist and Trail Control. The Raptor R's suspension enhancements allowed for high-speed desert running, making it a formidable off-road performer.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered practicality with its towing and cargo capabilities. In AWD form, it could tow up to 5,000 pounds with a braked trailer, while FWD models could tow 3,500 pounds. The bed, measuring 52 inches long and nearly 54 inches wide, provided ample space for camping gear and other items. Lockable underfloor storage and multiple tie-down points added to its utility. Inside, the rear seats folded up for taller items, but rear legroom was limited to 36.5 inches. Heated front seats were standard on most trims, with ventilated seats available on the Limited trim.

The 2024 Ford F-150 continued to excel in towing and hauling capabilities. The new Pro Access tailgate offered versatile access to the bed, and the Pro Power Assist feature allowed for powering accessories and tools. The F-150's towing capacity reached a maximum of 13,500 pounds with the right configuration, while payload capacity peaked at 2,445 pounds. The hybrid engine offered a towing rating of 11,200 pounds. The Raptor R, with its off-road focus, had a lower towing capacity of 8,700 pounds. The F-150's interior featured practical storage solutions and innovative features like the Pro Trailer Backup Assist.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Hyundai's BlueLink infotainment system on SE and SEL trims, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upper trims had a larger 10.25-inch display, but only offered wired smartphone compatibility. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked a physical volume knob. 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 2024 Ford F-150 came equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen running SYNC 4, offering a seamless user experience with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included a 5G LTE wireless hotspot and wireless charging. A new head-up display provided valuable information for towing, off-roading, and driving assistance. Ford Stolen Vehicle Services added security, while features like Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Smart Hitch technology enhanced towing convenience. The F-150's technology package was comprehensive and user-friendly.

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 added features like adaptive cruise control and a blind-spot view monitor. The NHTSA awarded the Santa Cruz five stars in front crash tests and four stars in rollover ratings. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2024 model, but the 2023 model received high marks in most categories.

The 2024 Ford F-150 came with the Ford CoPilot 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered the Blue Cruise hands-free driving-assist system. The NHTSA gave the F-150 an overall safety rating of five stars, with high marks in crash tests. The IIHS rated the F-150 SuperCrew highly in crashworthiness, though it received lower ratings for seatbelt reminders and child seat anchors.