Hyundai Santa Cruz vs Nissan Frontier
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Nissan Frontier
Overview
| Spec | Hyundai Santa CruzSE | Nissan FrontierS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | SE | S |
| Body style | Unknown | Truck (King Cab) |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 9-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Hyundai Santa CruzSE | Nissan FrontierS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $29,500 (best) | $32,150 |
| For sale now | 0 | 0 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Hyundai Santa CruzSE | Nissan FrontierS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 25 MPG (best) | 21 MPG |
| City MPG | 22 MPG (best) | 19 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 30 MPG (best) | 24 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 17.7 gal | 21 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Hyundai Santa CruzSE | Nissan FrontierS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 191 hp | 310 hp (best) |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft | 281 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2.5 L | 3.8 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | V6 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Hyundai Santa CruzSE | Nissan FrontierS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats (best) | 4 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Towing capacity | 3,500 lbs | 7,150 lbs (best) |
| Payload | — | 1,590 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,779 lbs (best) | 4,385 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 8.6 in (best) | — |
| Wheelbase | 118.3 in | 126 in (best) |
| Length | 195.7 in | 210.2 in (best) |
| Width | 75 in (best) | 73 in |
| Height | 66.7 in | 71.5 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Hyundai Santa CruzSE | Nissan FrontierS |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 3 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | 3 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Hyundai Santa Cruz | Nissan Frontier |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SE $29,500 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $32,150 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | SE $31,000 MSRP | S $33,550 MSRP |
| 3 | SEL $31,150 MSRP | S $35,150 MSRP |
| 4 | SEL $32,650 MSRP | S $36,550 MSRP |
| 5 | SEL Activity $34,200 MSRP | SV $36,190 MSRP |
| 6 | SEL Activity $35,700 MSRP | SV $36,690 MSRP |
| 7 | XRT $41,100 MSRP | SV $39,490 MSRP |
| 8 | Limited $43,450 MSRP | SV $39,990 MSRP |
| 9 | — | PRO-X $38,570 MSRP |
| 10 | — | PRO-4X $41,870 MSRP |
| 11 | — | PRO-4X $42,370 MSRP |