FIRST LOOK A small but mighty hauler that specializes in lighter duties
Hyundai’s first pickup is, in reality, a leisuretime activity vehicle that’s more likely to be spotted at the campsite than at the job site.
In fact, the Korea-based automaker avoids referring to
the Santa Cruz as a pickup. Hyundai calls it a Sport Adventure Vehicle, a term that, beyond the realm of promotional press releases and advertising copy, stands little chance of being adopted for common usage.
The four-door Santa Cruz, which arrives this summer, offers a plausible alternative to compact-sized utility vehicles, in which bulky and especially tall cargo can be more easily transported, along with up to five passengers.
Currently, the closest competitor is the Honda Ridgeline. Compared with the Santa Cruz, it’s more than 14 inches longer, 3.5 inches wider and offers seven additional inches between the front and rear wheels.
On the horizon is the compact 2022 Ford Maverick pickup that, like Santa Cruz and Ridgeline, has a unitized body, as opposed to the more rugged body-on-frame construction that’s common to larger pickups.
Hyundai’s California-based designers have crafted a stylish little carryall with an aggressively shaped grille. Similar styling can be found on the Sonata and Elantra sedans and the 2022 Tucson.
The grille has eight daytime running lights that illuminate when the Santa Cruz is in motion. A rounded rear end has a pair of T-shaped taillights that extend into the tailgate.
The Santa Cruz’s interior is as modern and sophisticated as you’ll find in most sedans, with a standard digital dashboard display and built in touch-screen. Unfortunately there are no separate volume or climate-control knobs, but at least Hyundai positioned a traditional gear shifter on the floor console, as opposed to using buttons or a dial.
The back seat appears to be a bit tight on legroom, compared with the longer Ridgeline, but, like the Honda, the split seat-cushion can be folded up for stowing cargo or for accessing the tire jack.
The bed also has its practical side, even though it’s only four feet long, which is 15 inches shorter than the Ridgeline’s. That could be a hard pass for some buyers, but at least the bed contains an under-floor storage area for smaller items and a small cubby built into each side of the fender walls. Standard is a removable (and lockable) hard tonneau cover that slides out on tracks from the far end of the bed.
Engine choices begin with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder estimated at 190 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. Optional is a turbocharged 2.5 with and estimated 275 horsepower and 310 pound-feet.
Base-engine fuel economy is rated at 21 mpg in the city, 26 on the highway and 23 combined.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard with the base 2.5, while an eightspeed automatic with paddle shifters comes with the turbo engine. This transmission is a dual-clutch design, which tends to be more efficient with quicker shifting.
The turbo engine is necessary for towing up to 5,000 pounds (3,500 pounds for the base 2.5).
A multi-mode all-wheeldrive system with Normal, Sport and Smart (eco) settings is available with either powerplant.
Pricing is expected to start at about $25,000 for the SE trim with the nonturbo engine. It comes with an eight-inch touch-screen, 18-inch wheels and short list of active safety technologies such as forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist and driver-attention warning.
The SEL adds heated and power adjustable front seats plus blind-spot monitoring, while the SEL Premium comes with the turbo engine, climate control and LED headlights.
The content-rich Limited comes with a power sunroof, the 10.3-inch screen, autodimming rearview mirror and a premium Bose-brand audio system with navigation.
Beyond the cute looks, the question to ask yourself is will the Santa Cruz be enough truck to suit your present and future needs? An answer in the affirmative should result in a positive experience, whatever you call the vehicle.