2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Vs. Toyota Tacoma

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz in the snow

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Vs. 

2026 Toyota Tacoma

Unibody 

Construction

Body-on-frame

118.3 inches

Wheelbase

131.9 inches

281 hp

Maximum Gas Engine Horsepower

278 hp

Up to 30 mpg

Maximum Highway Fuel Economy

Up to 26 mpg

12.3 inches

Standard Touchscreen Size

8 inches

When comparing the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the 2026 Toyota Tacoma, it’s clear that they cater to different lifestyles. While the Tacoma is a traditional midsize truck, the Santa Cruz is a Sport Adventure Vehicle (SAV) designed for drivers who want the utility of a truck without compromising everyday comfort and convenience. Drivers considering the Toyota Tacoma should compare the 2026 Tacoma vs. Santa Cruz specs and features with Don Franklin Somerset Hyundai below before finalizing their choice.

 

 

2026 Santa Cruz Vs. Tacoma: Construction & Ride Quality

As a midsize pickup truck, the Toyota Tacoma uses a traditional body-on-frame construction, which tends to feel a little rougher and more “truck-like” when driving in Berea. Since the Hyundai Santa Cruz has an SUV body with a truck bed, it uses a more comfortable unibody construction, resulting in a much smoother, car-like ride. When cornering, driving on narrow streets, or maneuvering into a parking space, the Santa Cruz has a big advantage thanks to its more agile handling and smaller wheelbase: 118.3 inches compared to 131.9 inches on the Tacoma.

2026 Santa Cruz Vs. Tacoma: Gas Engine Performance

While the base engine in the Santa Cruz has less standard horsepower than the base engine in the Tacoma, you’ll get better fuel economy on the roads and highways around Danville. If maximum power is a top priority, the Santa Cruz also offers a turbocharged upgrade that helps it keep pace with the gas-powered Tacoma engine. Read below to learn more about their gas engines’ fuel economy and compare the available 2026 Santa Cruz turbocharged engine vs. the Tacoma i-FORCE engine:

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Specs

Base Engine

  • 2.5L GDI-MPI 4-cylinder engine
  • 191 hp
  • FWD: 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway
  • AWD: 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway

Turbo Engine

  • 2.5L turbocharged GDI-MPI 4-cylinder engine
  • 281 hp
  • AWD: 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway

2026 Toyota Tacoma Specs

  • 2.4L i-FORCE turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
  • 228 hp – 278 hp, depending on configuration
  • 4×2: Up to 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway
  • 4×4: Up to 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway

2026 Santa Cruz Vs. Tacoma: Features

Adding to its comfortable balance between everyday drivability in Campbellsville and adventure-readiness for the weekend, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz interior has more impressive standard features than what you’ll find inside the base-level Tacoma. Compare the 2026 Santa Cruz 12.3-inch touchscreen vs. the Toyota Tacoma infotainment and other cabin highlights below:

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Features

  • Standard 12.3-inch touchscreen
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™
  • Rear View Monitor (RVM) with parking guidance
  • Proximity Key with push-button start

2026 Toyota Tacoma Features

  • Standard 8-inch touchscreen
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™
  • Backup Guide Monitor
  • Smart Key System on driver door with Push-Button Start

Test-Drive The Hyundai Santa Cruz At Don Franklin Somerset Hyundai

What’s the final verdict? If your off-roading is more about reaching a trailhead than rock crawling, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a refined, tech-forward, and smooth ride. Schedule a test drive at our dealership in Somerset to experience this remarkable vehicle for yourself!

 

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