Hyundai Santa Cruz Model Research

 

Hyundai's Santa Cruz is an exciting combination of crossover SUV and truck that marks the first four-door pickup truck sold by Hyundai in North America. Originally released in 2021 as a Sport Adventure Vehicle, it was inspired by Hyunadia's popular Tucson. With a front-wheel-drive configuration, a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine and an impressive suspension system that includes both strut and milt-link, the Santa Cruz can take you from the mountains to the sea.

For a mid-size truck, the 0-60 speeds are surprisingly quick, with an average of 6.5 seconds and a fuel economy of 22/26 MPG (city/highway.) Handling in Santa Cruz feels comfortable and responsive. One may forget they're driving a truck rather than a crossover SUV, which is what Hyundai was going for when they brought out the model.

Building on the triumph of the 2022 model, Hyundai swiftly rolled out upgraded versions of the Santa Cruz, bolstering its driver assistance features such as the blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert for enhanced safety. They also diversified the lineup with new trims, catering to a wider range of preferences and lifestyles. Moreover, Hyundai continued to innovate by introducing a host of new features, including advanced infotainment systems and heightened interior comforts, further solidifying the Santa Cruz's reputation as a pioneering and future-forward vehicle in the automotive industry.

Explore the Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz model is more than just a pickup truck made for dusty off-roads. It's more of a crossover with a truck bed, and this is thanks to its elegant and modern design.

Safety

Built to handle the tough outdoors or just city driving, the Santa Cruz comes fitted with Hyundai's SmartSense technology to ensure driver safety at all times. Some of the safety features include the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped). This feature detects other vehicles and pedestrians in your path. It will also come with automatic braking.

Other safety features include the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go, Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Curve Control, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) and Surround View Monitor (SVM). These safety features are available on specific models.

The Santa Cruz also has Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS) and Brake Assist (BA) as well as a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) that comes standard with all models to ensure better handling.

 

Tech

Stay connected to the online world at all times while driving the Santa Cruz, thanks to wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay support. Depending on what trim you choose, you can connect wirelessly or by plugging your phone into the display screen.

The Santa Cruz base model comes with a standard 8-inch screen, while the more expensive trims come with a larger 10.25-inch screen. Hyundai is all about wireless connectivity, and the newer Santa Cruz models now come with a digital key. Pair the key with your smartphone to control functions like the engine, doors, safety systems and even the trunk. Hyundai has created a feature that many will find quite useful, and that is the ability to share your digital key with friends so they can use your Santa Cruz with your permission.

Other cool wireless tech includes the Bluelink connected car service that is complimentary for the first three years, voice recognition, Sirius Satellite Radio and wireless device charging that are only available with certain trims.

Design

Compared to the mean and rugged trucks available on the market, Hyundai's Santa Cruz stands out with its sleek edges and curves while still managing to be an open-bed utility vehicle. In 2022, the Santa Cruz won the 2022 Best Pickup Truck Award in the Northwest Automotive Press Association awards.

For a smaller pickup truck, the Santa Cruz does have ample space for the driver and passengers to remain comfortable, with 36.5 inches of rear legroom for passengers. The cloth bucket seats are comfortable, and some models come with heated front seats. While the actual length of the truck bed is much shorter than its competitors, the Santa Cruz makes up for this with its built-in in-bed trunk and tonneau cover.

The exterior of the Santa Cruz model features sleek edges, a wide curved grille, a shark-fin roof antenna and large headlights that come with Daytime Running Lights (DRL). Drivers looking to take the Santa Cruz out into tough terrain have the option to add accessories like side steps, wider fender flares, and bed top side rails.

Colors

The Santa Cruz is available in six colors: the creamy California Sand, a dark Hampton Gray, Hyundai's classic Blue Stone, Phantom Black, Atlas White and a Sage Green. All the colors except for the California Sand come with the choice between a black or gray interior.

Some of the more premium trims like the Night, XRT and Limited allow for further choices in design and color like the premium dark chrome accents for the bumpers and grille, body-color door handles and side mirrors, dark front and rear lower fascia, as well as tailgate insert lettering available in a matte black.

Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. The Competition

The Santa Cruz is Hyundai's clever offering of a mid-size truck that drives like a car, so how does this model compare to other trucks on the market? With so many options when it comes to small and mid-size pickup trucks, which one should you choose?

We'll take a closer look at how Santa Cruz performs alongside its direct competitors with regard to engine and drivetrain, handling, fuel economy, interior exterior, as well as towing and load capabilities.

 

Learn About the Hyundai Santa Cruz

Have additional questions or want more information on the Hyundai Santa Cruz? Check out some of our other blogs and content below. You can also contact Granite Hyundai or stop on by during business hours. 

Find Your Hyundai Santa Cruz at Granite Hyundai

Whether you want to take your Santa Cruz off-roading, out in the snow, to the beach or just around the city, the SUV utility is readily capable. Visit us in-store or online to chat with one of our friendly and knowledgeable salespersons at Granite Hyundai to test drive the Santa Cruz model.

Choose from our inventory of carefully inspected new or pre-owned vehicles and drive home in your own Santa Cruz.

View Hyundai Cruz Inventory