Nissan Frontier vs. Hyundai SANTA CRUZ
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Nissan Frontier and Hyundai SANTA CRUZ contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Nissan Frontier and the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ.
When comparing the Nissan Frontier's and the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Frontier has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Hyundai SANTA CRUZ has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Nissan Frontier's and the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ is a better car than the Nissan Frontier.
Pricing: A used 2024 Nissan Frontier ranges from $33,998 to $47,374 while a used 2024 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ is priced between $27,998 to $41,877. For a new model, the Nissan Frontier's price is between $32,528 and $48,271, with the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ priced between $29,097 and $43,293.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Nissan Frontier loses 32.7 percent of its value and the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ loses 32.7 percent of its value. This means the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ retains 0.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Nissan Frontier.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Nissan Frontier’s base engine makes 310 horsepower, and the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ base engine makes 191 horsepower.
Available Cab Types and Bed Lengths: The Nissan Frontier is available in a Crew Cab or an Extended Cab configuration, and the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ is available in a Crew Cab configuration. The Nissan Frontier offers bed lengths of 58.9, 59.5, 72.7, and 73.3 inches, and the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ offers a bed length of 52.1 inches.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ has higher safety ratings than the Nissan Frontier, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$32,528 - $48,271
Starting MSRP:
$30,510
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$33,975
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$29,500 - $39,750
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$29,097 - $43,293
Starting MSRP:
$26,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Pickup Trucks)
$25,358
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Pickup Trucks)
$23,815 - $26,900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$40,974
Price Range:
$33,998 - $47,374
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$47,535
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$40,919 - $57,389
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2,318
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
1,576
# Good or Great Deals:
113
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$34,717
Price Range:
$27,998 - $41,877
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Pickup Trucks)
$34,179
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Pickup Trucks)
$33,640 - $34,717
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2,608
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
2,887
# Good or Great Deals:
317
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$10,322
Depreciation %:
33.8%
Resale Value $:
$20,188
Residual Value %:
66.2%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
29.8%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
22.9% - 39.1%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$9,125
Depreciation %:
33.9%
Resale Value $:
$17,775
Residual Value %:
66.1%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Pickup Trucks)
32.8%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Pickup Trucks)
31.8% - 33.9%
Nissan Frontier Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Hyundai SANTA CRUZ Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Frontier
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.2
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
13.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
12.2 - 14.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
36.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai SANTA CRUZ
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
1.5 - 15.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Pickup Trucks)
8.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Pickup Trucks)
2.4 - 15.2
Nissan Frontier Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 7Hyundai SANTA CRUZ Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 2Available Body Styles
Pickup Truck
Available Body Styles
Pickup Truck
Available Cab Types
Crew Cab, Extended Cab
Available Cab Types
Crew Cab
Available Bed Length(s)
58.9 inches, 59.5 inches, 72.7 inches, 73.3 inches
Available Bed Length(s)
52.1 inches
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Nissan Frontier Trim Levels
PRO-4X, PRO-X, S, SL, SV
Hyundai SANTA CRUZ Trim Levels
Limited, Night, SE, SEL, XRT
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
310 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
281 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Max Payload:
1590 lbs
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque:
181 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Max Payload:
1701 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 26 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
389 / 460 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bench Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
26.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.4 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
85.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4367 lbs
Width:
84.1 inches
Height:
71.5 inches
Length:
210.2 inches
Wheelbase:
126 inches
Ground Clearance:
9.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3755 lbs
Width:
75 inches
Height:
66.7 inches
Length:
195.7 inches
Wheelbase:
118.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
265/70R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/60R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Gray
Gun Metallic
Red
Red Alert
White
Glacier White
Beige
Not available
Blue
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Phantom Black Pearl
Gray
Hampton Gray Metallic / Sage Gray Pearl
Red
Not available
White
Atlas White
Beige
California Sand Metallic
Blue
Blue Stone Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
