Head-to-head
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2025 Toyota Tacoma
The Hyundai Santa Cruz wins clearly, 96.4 to 67.2, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Toyota Tacoma is ahead on performance.
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2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact pickup truck with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Santa Cruz FWD, i…
vs
C2025 Toyota Tacoma
The 2025 Toyota Tacoma is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact pickup truck with 10 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Tacoma Hyb…
More Hyundai Santa Cruz head-to-heads More Toyota Tacoma head-to-heads Every Santa Cruz vs Tacoma model year
Verdict · default weights
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Clear winThe Hyundai Santa Cruz wins clearly, 96.4 to 67.2, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Toyota Tacoma is ahead on performance.
Tech & comfort 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz leads by 85.3
Safety 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz leads by 31.1
Space & cargo 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz leads by 60
| Category · weight | 2025 Toyota Tacomaoverall 67.2 | 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruzoverall 96.4 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 91 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 92.7 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 61 | 92.1 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 40 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 83.5 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 14.7 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 67.2 | 96.4 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Toyota Tacoma: base trim SR 4X2 · Hyundai Santa Cruz: base trim SE FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz wins
- It lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 2.
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (22 against 116 filed with NHTSA).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (47.5 points against 7 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
Where the 2025 Toyota Tacoma answers
- It turns out 243 lb-ft of torque against 181.
- It makes 228 hp against 191.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
48 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Toyota TacomaSR 4X2 | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $31,590 | $28,750 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,393 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Turbocharged DOHC 16-Valve D-4S | 2.5L GDI + MPI DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 228 hp | 191 hp |
| Torque | 243 lb-ft | 181 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 20 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 23 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 26 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.583 | 4.081 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 11 in | 8.6 in |
| Overall height | 74 in | 66.7 in |
| Overall length | 213 in | 196 in |
| Overall width | 76.9 in | 75 in |
| Wheelbase | 132 in | 118 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Total interior volume | — | 102 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 2 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 39.7 in | 40.2 in |
| Second-row headroom | — | 39.6 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.8 in | 41.4 in |
| Second-row legroom | — | 36.5 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,200 lbs | 3,778 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,145 lbs | 3,778 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 5,605 lbs | 5,522 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 1,460 lbs | 1,411 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent double-wishbone with stabilizer bar and twin-tube shocks | MacPherson strut with coil springs |
| Rear suspension type | Leaf spring with outboard-mounted twin-tube shocks | Multi-link |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electronic Power Steering (EPS); power-assisted rack-and-pinion | Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) rack and pinion, column-mounted |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 22.9 ft | 19.8 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 320 mm | 325 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | Electronic | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | 310 mm | 325 mm |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | steel | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 7.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 245/70R17 | 245/60R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 18.2 gal | 17.7 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | Bluelink+ |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 58.3 in | 57.7 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | — | 56.1 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
127 features · differences first, then sharedSafety32 differ · 32 listed
| Feature | Toyota TacomaSR 4X2 | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian Detection | — | std |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) | — | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | — | std |
| Airbags (Front - Advanced): Driver (1), Front passenger (1) | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger side-impact FR (Thorax) (2) | — | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | — | std |
| Rearview camera | — | std |
| Side air curtains (front and rear passengers) with rollover sensors (2) | — | std |
| Downhill Brake Control (DBC), Driver Selectable | — | std |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | — | std |
| Rear side airbags with rollover sensors (2) | — | std |
| Trailer pre-wiring, 4-pin for 2.5L, 4/7-pin for 2.5T | — | std |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with 4-wheel disc brakes | — | std |
| Anti-theft System integrated with remote keyless entry and panic alarm | — | std |
| Backup Guide Monitor | std | — |
| Blind-Spot Collision and Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance-Assist Indicators (on mirrors) | — | std |
| Bodyside reinforcements | — | std |
| Electronic Parking Brake w/ Automatic Vehicle Hold | — | std |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control (TCS) and Brake Assist | — | std |
| Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking | opt | — |
| High Beam Assist | — | std |
| Hillstart Assist Control (HAC) | — | std |
| Leading Vehicle Departure Alert | — | std |
| Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) | — | std |
| Safe Exit Warning (SEW) | — | std |
| Side air curtains with rollover sensors | — | std |
| Steering wheel haptic feedback (for LKA and BCW) | — | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0 (TSS 3.0) – Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) | std | — |
| Traction Control System (TCS) | — | std |
| Vehicle Stability Management | — | std |
| Immobilizer | — | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) w/Individual Tire Indicator | — | std |
Infotainment13 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | Toyota TacomaSR 4X2 | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth controls (Voice recognition, Accept call, Hang up) | — | std |
| 12.3" Touchscreen Display (ccNc Lite) with 6-speakers | — | std |
| 8-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen with 4-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay® * & Android Auto™ * compatible, SiriusXM® * with 3-month Platinum Plan trial subscription. | opt | — |
| 8-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen with 6-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay® * & Android Auto™ * compatible, SiriusXM® * with 3-month Platinum Plan trial subscription. | opt | — |
| AM/FM/HD Radio/SiriusXM®, Bluelink+ | — | std |
| Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ (Wireless) | — | std |
| Audio controls (Volume up/down, Mute, Seek up/down, Mode) | — | std |
| Bluelink+ Connected Car System | — | std |
| Front dual USB ports (Type-C) | — | std |
| HD Radio Technology | — | std |
| OTA update capability (ECU & multimedia – all; Map update only on XRT and Limited) | — | std |
| Second row dual USB ports (Type-C) | — | std |
| SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (3-month trial subscription) | — | std |
Convenience9 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Toyota TacomaSR 4X2 | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Remote keyless entry system with alarm and panic | — | std |
| 12-volt outlet, Front (1) | — | std |
| Cruise controls (on steering wheel) | — | std |
| Digital Key * capability — Digital Key * enables smartphone to be used instead of a physical key (Remote Connect * subscription required.) | opt | — |
| Keys - Proximity w/ detachable valet key (2) | — | std |
| Keys - Standard w/ key fob (2) | — | std |
| Power door locks | — | std |
| Power Window Switches, Driver auto down | — | std |
| Smart Key System on driver door with Push Button Start | std | — |
| Proximity key entry with push button start, remote engine start | std | std |
Climate3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Toyota TacomaSR 4X2 | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin air filter | — | std |
| Manual air conditioning | — | std |
| Rear seat heater ducts | — | std |
Seating6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Toyota TacomaSR 4X2 | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 6-way adjustable driver's seat | — | std |
| 60/40 split tip-up lower seat cushions (Rear Seats) | — | std |
| 60/40 split, folding rear seat with Under-Seat Storage | opt | — |
| Cloth-trimmed seats (stain- and odor-resistant) | — | std |
| Fabric-trimmed seats; 6-way manually adjustable driver and front passenger seats with 2-way power adjustable lumbar support on drivers seat only | opt | — |
| Fold-flat passenger seat, lockable rear storage panel with integrated pegboard, and lockable deep storage compartment | opt | — |
Interior25 differ · 25 listed
| Feature | Toyota TacomaSR 4X2 | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2" Multi-Information Display | — | std |
| 3-Spoke steering wheel | — | std |
| Assist grips (4) | — | std |
| Central dome light (with delay) and auto cut-off | — | std |
| Cruise control indicator | — | std |
| Cupholders, Dual, Front center console-mounted | — | std |
| Door armrest, Integrated | — | std |
| Door handles, Metal paint (interior) | — | std |
| Front center console fixed armrest storage box | — | std |
| Front maplights | — | std |
| Glove compartment with Damper | — | std |
| I/P switch illumination (hazard) | — | std |
| Illuminated power window switches | — | std |
| Illuminated push button start | — | std |
| Manual day/night rearview mirror | std | — |
| Polyurethane manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel with phone, audio, display/infotainment, and Driver Assist controls | std | — |
| Rear cupholders (on door panel) | — | std |
| Roof trim Black | — | std |
| Seatback map pockets, Front Passenger | — | std |
| Storage tray (below 12-volt outlet) | — | std |
| Tilt & Telescoping steering column | — | std |
| Inside rearview mirror, Manual day/night | — | std |
| Carpeted floor mats | — | opt |
| Sunvisors with sliding function and dual vanity mirror with cover | — | std |
| Trip odometer | — | std |
Exterior20 differ · 22 listed
| Feature | Toyota TacomaSR 4X2 | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| "TACOMA" stamped easy lower and lift tailgate | std | — |
| 17-in. styled alloy wheels with 245/70R17 tires | opt | — |
| 17-in. styled steel wheels with 245/70R17 tires | opt | — |
| 18 x 7.5J Alloy wheels | — | std |
| 245/60R18 tires | — | std |
| Acoustic Laminated Windshield | — | std |
| Bi-LED headlights (high/low beam, projector-type) | — | std |
| Body color side mirror housing | — | std |
| Heated outside mirrors | std | — |
| Integrated rear bumper side steps | — | std |
| LED Bed Lighting | opt | — |
| LED cargo light (roof-mounted) | — | std |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| Roof-mounted Center High-Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL) | — | std |
| Shark-fin roof antenna (gloss black) | — | std |
| Automatic headlights | — | std |
| Privacy Glass, Rear/back glass | — | std |
| Rear window defroster | — | std |
| Solar glass, Front Door, Windshield | — | std |
| Temporary Spare Tire | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | std | std |
| Mudguards Front/Rear | opt | opt |
Powertrain5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Toyota TacomaSR 4X2 | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| HTRAC AWD, Active On-Demand | — | opt |
| FWD | — | std |
| 8-speed automatic torque converter transmission | — | std |
| AWD Lock | — | opt |
| Drive Mode, Center-console mounted | — | std |
Chassis3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Toyota TacomaSR 4X2 | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf spring rear suspension | std | — |
| Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Rack and pinion steering, column-mounted | — | std |
| Rear gas-pressurized shock absorbers, self leveling | — | std |
Cargo8 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Toyota TacomaSR 4X2 | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 5-ft. Bed | opt | — |
| 6-ft. Bed | opt | — |
| Deck rail system with four adjustable tie-down cleats and four fixed cargo bed tie-down points | opt | — |
| Heavy duty cargo D-rings | — | std |
| Lockable under bed storage compartment | — | std |
| Multi-functional tailgate (assisted open/close) | — | std |
| Sheet Molded Composite bed | — | std |
| Sidewall bed storage compartments | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPToyota Tacoma
Safety Signal 74 C
NHTSA overall ★★★★☆
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★☆☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 5 · 1 filed unfixed
Owner complaints 116 · 4 crashes · 2 fires
Most complained about Structure (45), Power Train (22), Unspecified (18)
Top recalls
- high Suspension 26V514000 · 48,280 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Power Train 25V656000 · 5,960 vehicles
- high Service Brakes, Hydraulic 25V058000 · 221,846 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 25V595000 · 591,377 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V179000 · 8,230 vehicles
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Safety Signal 79 C
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 3
Owner complaints 22 · 1 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Forward Collision Avoidance (14), Electrical System (4), Exterior Lighting (4)
Top recalls
- high Forward Collision Avoidance 26V316000 · 423,062 vehicles
- high Air Bags 25V809000 · 258 vehicles
- high Electrical System 24V877000 · 42,465 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Toyota TacomaSR 4X2 | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $31,590 (base trim) | $28,750 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $31,590 – $63,735 18 trims | $28,750 – $42,750 8 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Tacoma Hybrid 4WD | Santa Cruz FWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 23 | 25 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,900 | $2,700 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | — |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | — |
| Roadside assistance | 2 yr | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Toyota Tacoma or the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz wins clearly, 96.4 to 67.2, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Toyota Tacoma is ahead on performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz scores 96.4 and the 2025 Toyota Tacoma 67.2. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2025 Toyota Tacoma or the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz starts lower — $28,750 against $31,590, a gap of $2,840 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Toyota Tacoma or the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
2025 Toyota Tacoma: 4 NHTSA stars, grade C, 5 recalls (1 filed with no repair available). 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 3 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2025 Toyota Tacoma and the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Where the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz wins: it lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 2, has drawn fewer owner complaints (22 against 116 filed with NHTSA), and lists more comfort and tech equipment (47.5 points against 7 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). Where the 2025 Toyota Tacoma answers: it turns out 243 lb-ft of torque against 181 and makes 228 hp against 191.