Should we have gotten a loaded Santa Cruz Limited instead?
We simply wanted to evaluate a trim level popular with many buyers. However, there are times when we wish our SEL Premium was equipped with some of the features and options that only come on the top-of-the-line 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited.Detroit office for a few days, it was the perfect opportunity to do a little comparison and experience what we'd been missing.
We knew the ride and handling would be similar. Both have the 281-hp, 311-lb-ft 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine and eight-speed automatic transmission—but the Limited adds paddle shifters. It is a feature we can live without: It's manual or nothing for us in this kind of vehicle.A key difference: Our Santa Cruz SEL with the Premium package rides on 18-inch wheels whereas the Limited has larger 20-inch wheels.
The two trucks look largely the same. Our long-termer is a fetching Sage Gray; the loaner came in Hampton Gray. Both have body-colored exterior door handles, and both attract attention on the road.There are more differences inside. It starts with the seats. Our Santa Cruz has cloth seats, heated in front, while the Limited ups its game with leather and chrome trim; they're cooled and heated, too. Both have a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
Our conclusion: Our Santa Cruz SEL Premium is well equipped at $38,000, and although many of the upgrades are nice, we prefer the smaller wheels and smaller infotainment screen with physical switches for volume and tuning. Only the addition of adaptive cruise control and a heated steering wheel would drive us to the higher trim.
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