Hyundai Santa Cruz vs the field
Every head-to-head WhichTrim has scored for the Santa Cruz: 4 comparisons against 2 rivals across the 2025–2026 model years, each on price, fuel, safety, space, performance, tech and warranty from EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer data — the weights yours to change on any of them.
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By rival
2 rivals · verdicts at default weightsToyota TacomaSanta Cruz leads 2–0
Clear win 6+ points · Edge 2–6 · Toss-up under 2. Open any pair for the scorecard, the biggest gaps in words and the sliders.
Where the Santa Cruz wins and loses
4 scored head-to-headsThe Santa Cruz leads on safety in 4 of 4. Category scores are 0–100 from the data on each pair page; a lead here means the Santa Cruz scored higher in that category, whatever the weights.
| Category | Santa Cruz leads | Trails | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 1 of 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel & range | 2 of 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Safety | 4 of 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Space & cargo | 0 of 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Performance | 0 of 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tech & comfort | 1 of 1 | 0 | 0 |
Common questions about the Hyundai Santa Cruz head-to-heads
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the Hyundai Santa Cruz or the Toyota Tacoma?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz wins clearly, 96.2 to 79.5, on tech & comfort, safety, price. The Toyota Tacoma is ahead on performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2026 Toyota Tacoma). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Hyundai Santa Cruz or the Ford Maverick?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz wins clearly, 75.1 to 50.7, on safety. The Ford Maverick is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Where does the Hyundai Santa Cruz win and lose against its rivals?
The Santa Cruz leads on safety in 4 of 4. Every count comes from the category scores on the pair pages linked above, which use EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press-kit data.
How does WhichTrim decide which vehicle wins?
Each of seven categories — price, fuel and range, safety, space and cargo, performance, tech and comfort, warranty — is scored 0–100 from the data on the page. Relative measures give 100 to the better vehicle and a proportional share to the other; NHTSA stars and the Safety Signal use their own scales. The overall score is the weighted mean at the default weights (price 4, safety 4, fuel 3, tech 3, space 2, performance 2, warranty 2). A margin of 6 points or more is a clear win, 2 to 6 an edge, under 2 a toss-up. Every pair page has sliders to set your own weights.