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.
In 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, resale value and interior volume. 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: For a new model, the Nissan Frontier's price is between $34,340 and $50,453, with the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ priced between $32,163 and $46,268.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Nissan Frontier loses 39.6 percent of its value and the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ loses 38.6 percent of its value. This means the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ retains 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.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Hyundai SANTA CRUZ, a compact truck, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Nissan Frontier, a midsize truck, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room and front leg room.
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 59.5 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:
34340 - 50453
Starting MSRP:
32150
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
34483
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
32150 - 38900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
32163 - 46268
Starting MSRP:
29500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
41803
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
41803 - 41803
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Nissan Frontier Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
7.0 / 10
Hyundai SANTA CRUZ Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Frontier
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
12.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
13.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
12.7 - 14.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.251
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:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Nissan Frontier Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
6 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
1 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)
59.5 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, SV
Hyundai SANTA CRUZ Trim Levels
Limited, SE, SEL, SEL Activity, 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:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
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:
1743 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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bench Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
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
Internet Radio:
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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
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
Internet Radio:
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
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
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:
57.7 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:
101.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4385 lbs
Width:
84.1 inches
Height:
71.5 inches
Length:
210.2 inches
Wheelbase:
126 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3779 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 with painted accents
Tire Size:
245/60R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Gray
Gun Metallic
White
Glacier White
Blue
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Phantom Black
Gray
Hampton Gray / Sage Gray
White
Atlas White
Blue
Blue Stone
Interior Colors
Gray
Charcoal
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Gray
Light Gray
Black
Black
