Compare the2026 Hyundai Santa CruzVS 2025 Toyota Tacoma

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. ZF2XK-0JCOH 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2025/08/29

The Santa Cruz has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Tacoma’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Santa Cruz has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Toyota charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Tacoma.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Santa Cruz uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Tacoma uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Santa Cruz and the Tacoma have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Santa Cruz is safer than the Toyota Tacoma:

	Santa Cruz	Tacoma
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	217	248
Neck Injury Risk	22.8%	42.8%
Neck Stress	196 lbs.	456 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	36/164 lbs.	290/453 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	230	252
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	42.3%	64%
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	339 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	61/48 lbs.	461/454 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Santa Cruz is safer than the Toyota Tacoma:

	Santa Cruz	Tacoma
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	275	334

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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The Santa Cruz comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Tacoma’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Santa Cruz 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Tacoma. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Tacoma ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Santa Cruz’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Tacoma’s (7 vs. 5 years).

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J.D. Power and Associates rated the Santa Cruz first among midsize pickups in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Tacoma isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

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As tested in Motor Trend the Santa Cruz XRT/Limited 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Toyota Tacoma turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

	Santa Cruz	Tacoma
Zero to 60 MPH	6 sec	7.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	15.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98.2 MPH	90.2 MPH

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. ZF2XK-0JCOH 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2025/08/29

On the EPA test cycle the Santa Cruz gets better mileage than the Tacoma:

			MPG
Santa Cruz
FWD	Auto	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	18 city/25 hwy
Tacoma
RWD	Auto	SR5 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy
		SR 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
		PreRunner/TRD Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
AWD	Manual	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	18 city/23 hwy
AWD	Auto	Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/24 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid (326 HP)	22 city/24 hwy
		SR 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/24 hwy
		Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/23 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/23 hwy

The Santa Cruz has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Tacoma. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. ZF2XK-0JCOH 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2025/08/29

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Santa Cruz higher (6 out of 10) than the Toyota Tacoma (4 to 6). This means the Santa Cruz produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Tacoma every 15,000 miles.

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For better stopping power the Santa Cruz’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Tacoma:

	Santa Cruz	Tacoma
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.8 inches	12.2 inches

The Santa Cruz stops much shorter than the Tacoma:

	Santa Cruz	Tacoma
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	137 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	149 feet	154 feet	Consumer Reports

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The Santa Cruz’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tacoma’s standard 70 series tires. The Santa Cruz Limited’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Tacoma Double Cab TRD Sport/Limited’s 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Santa Cruz has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Tacoma. The Santa Cruz Limited’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Tacoma 5-ft. bed Double Cab Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

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For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Santa Cruz has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Tacoma SR/XtraCab has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Santa Cruz has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Santa Cruz flat and controlled during cornering. The Tacoma SR/XtraCab suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The front and rear suspension of the Santa Cruz uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the Tacoma SR/XtraCab, which uses leaf springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Santa Cruz has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Santa Cruz SEL 4x4 handles at .83 G’s, while the Tacoma 5-ft. bed TRD Pro Double Cab pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Santa Cruz XRT executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the Tacoma 5-ft. bed Trailhunter Double Cab (27.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Santa Cruz’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Tacoma XtraCab’s (39.6 feet vs. 42.2 feet). The Santa Cruz’s turning circle is 11 feet tighter than the Tacoma 6-ft. bed Trailhunter Double Cab’s (39.6 feet vs. 50.6 feet).

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The Hyundai Santa Cruz may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 1150 pounds less than the Toyota Tacoma.

The Santa Cruz is 1 foot, 5.3 inches shorter than the Tacoma 5-ft. bed Double Cab, making the Santa Cruz easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Santa Cruz is 7.2 inches shorter in height than the Tacoma, making the Santa Cruz much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the Santa Cruz’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Tacoma doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

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The Santa Cruz has 4.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Tacoma (101.8 vs. 97).

The front step up height for the Santa Cruz is 4.7 inches lower than the Tacoma Double Cab (19” vs. 23.7”). The Santa Cruz’s rear step up height is 5.5 inches lower than the Tacoma Double Cab’s (19” vs. 24.5”).

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A low lift-over bed design makes loading and unloading the Santa Cruz easier. The Santa Cruz’s bed lift-over height is 31.6 inches, while the Tacoma’s liftover is 34 inches.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a standard rear cargo step, which allows for much easier access to the cargo area. The Toyota Tacoma doesn’t offer a rear cargo step.

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The Santa Cruz has a higher standard payload capacity than the Tacoma (1411 vs. 1230 lbs.).

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The Santa Cruz’s standard Proximity Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the tailgate, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the Tacoma doesn’t offer a sensor on the tailgate or any door except the driver’s, so you’ll have to walk to the driver's door to touch the handle. Smart Key is not available on the Tacoma SR5/PreRunner/TRD/Limited/Trailhunter.

The Santa Cruz Limited’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Tacoma’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Santa Cruz’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Tacoma’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

Both the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Toyota Tacoma offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Santa Cruz offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Tacoma’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the Santa Cruz and the Tacoma offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Santa Cruz SEL/XRT/Limited has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Tacoma doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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J.D. Power and Associates rated the Santa Cruz first among midsize pickups in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Tacoma isn’t in the top three.