Hyundai Santa Cruz
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The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a four-door compact pickup truck manufactured and marketed by Hyundai. Released in 2021 for the 2022 model year, the Santa Cruz is the first four-door pickup truck sold by Hyundai in the North American market. The vehicle is based on the Tucson crossover SUV, and uses a unibody chassis design.
Industry analysts expected the Santa Cruz to attract car or crossover SUV buyers instead of people who have owned a larger, traditional pickup truck. Hyundai is to reportedly discontinue production of the Santa Cruz in 2026.
Overview
The Santa Cruz was previewed by a concept pickup truck at the 2015 North American International Auto Show with the same name.
The production model debuted in April 2021 for the North American market. Marketed as a "Sport Adventure Vehicle", it is closely related to the fourth-generation Tucson, sharing the same project code (NX4, with additional 'a' to denote American production and 'OB' suffix, meaning 'open bed'), production site, and dashboard design. It also features a similar styling introduced on the fourth-generation Tucson, with its front end dominated by the grille with integrated daytime running lights.
The Santa Cruz uses a front-wheel-drive configuration as the base model, with an available upgrade to the HTRAC all-wheel-drive system. The HTRAC system allows for the rear wheels to receive up to 50 percent of the drive power via a lockable clutched center differential. It is equipped with MacPherson struts for the front wheels and a multi-link independent suspension in the rear. The rear suspension is equipped with self-leveling shock absorbers to keep the truck level even when there is weight on the bed or a trailer on the hitch.
- Rear view (pre-facelift)
- Interior (pre-facelift)
Facelift (2025)
The facelifted Santa Cruz was revealed on March 27, 2024. Changes include new headlights with redesigned LED daytime running lights, a new front fascia, a new grille, new exterior colors, new alloy wheel designs, a new curved panoramic screen with two 12.3-inch displays, the inclusion of physical controls for the HVAC and infotainment shortcuts, a new steering wheel, new air-con vents, updated features for safety and technology, and the XRT version received a few visual changes.
- 2025 Santa Cruz Preferred (facelift)
- 2025 Santa Cruz XRT (facelift)
- Rear view (XRT; facelift)
- Interior (XRT; facelift)
Powertrain
The Santa Cruz is available with a standard naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with both port and direct injection that produces 191hp (194PS; 142kW) and 181lb⋅ft (245N⋅m; 25.0kg⋅m) of torque that is exclusive to the United States. A turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that produces 281hp (285PS; 210kW) and 311lb⋅ft (422N⋅m; 43.0kg⋅m) of torque is available as an option, and is standard in Canada while being an option in the United States. The base engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters. For the 2026 model year, the turbocharged engine became paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, replacing the dual-clutch automatic.
Safety
The 2022 Santa Cruz was awarded "Top Safety Pick" by IIHS.
| Small overlap front (driver) | Good | ||
| Small overlap front (passenger) | Good | ||
| Moderate overlap front (original test) | Good | ||
| Side (original test) | Good | ||
| Roof strength | Good | ||
| Head restraints and seats | Good | ||
| Headlights (varies by trim/option) | Good | Poor | |
| Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle | Superior | Standard system | |
| Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle | Superior | Optional system | |
| Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (Day) | Superior | Standard system | |
| Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (Day) | Superior | Optional system | |
| Seatbelt reminders | Acceptable | ||
| Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease of use | Acceptable |
Sales
| Year | United States | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,042 | 930 |
| 2022 | 36,480 | 3,682 |
| 2023 | 36,675 | 3,544 |
| 2024 | 32,033 | 2,574 |
| 2025 | 25,499 | 1,643 |
External links
- (Hyundai USA)
- (Hyundai Canada)