2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2025 Nissan Frontier

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, despite not being a traditional pickup, offered a unique blend of crossover and truck features. It was available in several trims, with the Limited trim being the most equipped. The Santa Cruz was longer than the Tucson, sharing a similar front design with a distinctive grille. Its design was intentional, with features like protruding fenders and a sharply raked C-pillar, making it stand out. Inside, the Santa Cruz balanced quality materials with a funky four-spoked steering wheel, providing a high-quality feel without being overly luxurious.

In contrast, the 2025 Nissan Frontier introduced a bold Afterburn Orange color, reminiscent of a quirky past. The Frontier PRO-4X, designed for off-road adventures, was available in multiple trims and configurations. The PRO-4X featured black exterior trim and machined-finish wheels, with interior updates like a larger infotainment screen and new color accents. The cabin was practical, with switchgear allowing easy operation of features even with gloves. Despite some hard plastic surfaces, the Frontier's construction felt solid and durable, offering a traditional yet appealing pickup experience.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered versatility with its engine options. Lower trims featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the turbocharged engine in the Limited trim delivered 282 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, providing a peppy performance with smooth shifts. The Santa Cruz excelled in maneuverability, making it ideal for city driving and tight spaces. Its AWD system, with a center locking differential and hill-descent control, allowed for some off-road capability, though its geometry limited more challenging terrains.

The 2025 Nissan Frontier housed a 3.8-liter V6 engine generating 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The PRO-4X model featured a 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case, enhancing its off-road prowess. Despite not being fuel-efficient, the Frontier exceeded EPA estimates during testing. It offered a towing capacity of up to 7,150 pounds, depending on the configuration. The Frontier's suspension, while stiff on rough terrains, provided a robust and durable feel, with the V6 engine delivering satisfying performance.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, though not a traditional pickup, provided ample utility. It offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds with AWD and featured a compact bed with lockable storage and multiple tie-down points. The interior allowed for flexible cargo space with fold-up rear seats, though rear legroom was limited. Heated front seats were standard on most trims, with ventilated seats available on the Limited trim.

The 2025 Nissan Frontier featured Nissan's Zero Gravity seat design for comfort, with leather seats and heated options in the PRO-4X trim. The rear seats were less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard plastic door panels. The cargo bed included Nissan’s Utili-Track system and a spray-in bedliner, though it lacked easy access features. Interior storage was practical, with various compartments for small items.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch display with wired compatibility. The infotainment system was intuitive, though it lacked a physical volume knob. Charging options were limited, with USB-A ports available across trims and wireless charging on higher trims.

The 2025 Nissan Frontier introduced a 12.3-inch touchscreen for most trims, with wireless smartphone integration and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The infotainment system, though improved, had a clunky interface. Voice recognition was subpar, making smartphone integration preferable. The Frontier offered a wireless charger and a robust Fender audio system, enhancing the tech experience.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered comprehensive safety features, including forward collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control on higher trims. The NHTSA rated it five stars in front crash tests, though the IIHS had not yet rated the 2024 model.

The 2025 Nissan Frontier included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with concerns in driver protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS rated its headlights poorly, though crash test ratings were generally positive.