2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. 2022 Nissan Frontier

The 2022 Nissan Frontier has undergone a full redesign for the latest model year, but does it have what it takes to go head-to-head with the already-iconic 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz? Although drivers who prioritize towing capacity, bed space, or off-road capability have reason to consider the Frontier, we think that most Loma Linda drivers will find far more to love in the Hyundai. After all, the Santa Cruz has a better starting price, a better warranty, more standard features, and superior fuel economy—among many other advantages! Our 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Nissan Frontier comparison covers all the details.

Santa Cruz vs. Frontier: Price & Value

As standard, the Santa Cruz is priced at a very reasonable $24,140 MSRP. The Nissan Frontier starts at $28,340 MSRP, giving the Santa Cruz a clear edge right from the start.

A lower monthly payment is certainly nice, but it’s not the only reason that value-conscious drivers prefer the Santa Cruz. Here’s what you should know:

• With up to ten years or 100,000 miles of powertrain warranty coverage, the Santa Cruz will keep you moving forward. Nissan’s five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty is fairly standard for the industry.
• Both models include an 8-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker stereo, and two USB ports, but only the Santa Cruz comes with Wireless Apple CarPlay™ and Wireless Android Auto™ as standard. The Frontier requires you to use a cable.
• As you’ll see below, the Santa Cruz also offers a wide range of standard safety and driver assistance features that would cost extra on the Nissan.

Santa Cruz vs. Frontier: Everyday Utility

The Nissan Frontier has plenty of power and a large truck bed, but for most Redlands and San Bernardino drivers, these won’t be deciding factors. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is highly capable in its own right, and it’s also much better suited to daily life. Here’s why:

• As standard, the Santa Cruz gets up to 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The Frontier gets up to 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, making it much less efficient.
• The Santa Cruz weighs significantly less than the Frontier, and it can also manage tighter turns. The difference between a 40-foot turning radius and a 43.5-foot turning radius might not seem too extreme, but more maneuverability will come in handy in the city and at the campsite.
• At 195.7 inches, the Santa Cruz is compact enough for easy parking no matter where your adventures take you. The Frontier measures 210.2 inches as standard, so it requires a lot more space to get around.
• The Santa Cruz cabin has a standard five-passenger seating capacity. To seat the same number of passengers in a Frontier, you’ll need to spend even more.

Santa Cruz vs. Frontier: Safety Features

The Santa Cruz is also a better fit for safety conscious drivers and Highland-area families. A quick comparison of their standard safety features should be all the proof you need:

• Hyundai Santa Cruz: Comes standard with a rearview camera, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian/cyclist detection, lane keep assistance, automatic high beams, and driver drowsiness detection.
• Nissan Frontier: Comes standard with a rearview camera, forward automatic emergency braking, and driver drowsiness detection.

See the Hyundai Santa Cruz in Loma Linda, CA!

It’s easy to learn more about the Santa Cruz when you check out our in-depth Hyundai guides, but it’s no less difficult to continue your Santa Cruz vs. Frontier comparison in person! Start browsing our new Santa Cruz inventory to find the perfect model today at Hyundai Inland Empire.