Hyundai Santa Cruz Concept

[AVANTI R5]

Hyundai Says The New Santa Cruz Is NOT A Pickup Truck

It's not a truck; it's a Sport Adventure Vehicle.

We are less than one week away from the big reveal for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. This tiny pickup truck promises to break new ground, as hinted by Hyundai in recent teasers. Hyundai is building up hype for the April 15 reveal, but before the Santa Cruz arrives, the Korean automaker wants to clarify something. A newly-released development video shows teaser sketches of its eagerly anticipated Santa Cruz, which Hyundai calls a Sport Adventure Vehicle. That's right, this is not a pickup truck; it's an SAV (not to be confused with BMW's Sport Activity Vehicles, a term it uses for its crossovers).

In the video, Hyundai design manager Brad Arnold says "we started designing the Santa Cruz with the idea that this is not a traditional truck. It's something new. It's meant to thrive in dense, urban environments, and the open outdoors."

"It's small in size but big in adventure. It supports your work and play activities with both open and closed storage," Arnold adds. When penning the Santa Cruz, Hyundai's design team followed a "Constructed by Contrast" philosophy. This essentially means that items like the lighting and overall proportions convey that this is not a truck; it's a Santa Cruz.

Clearly, Hyundai wants potential owners to know what to expect from this vehicle. It will have a secure open bed for gear and all-wheel-drive capability, but it won't handle the same tasks as a traditional midsize or full-size truck. Think of it as a Hyundai Tucson but with a pickup bed.

This type of pickup hasn't existed for a long time in the US market. Some past examples include the Chevrolet El Camino, Dodge Rampage, Subaru Brat, Subaru Baja, and Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup. Ford will also introduce a similar truck called the Maverick. The chicken tax prevents all non-American automakers from importing pickup trucks into the country and calling it a "Sport Adventure Vehicle" won't circumvent that law. That is why Hyundai will build the Santa Cruz in Montgomery, Alabama.

YouTube (Short URL)

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[Sid03SVT]

I don't care what marketing wants to call it or spin it as.

It has a bed, how much weight & volume can it carry?
It has a receiver, how much can it tow?
How does the AWD system work?

kthanksbye

[AVANTI R5]

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Compact Pickup Truck Revealed

Hyundai says it’s breaking new ground with the brand new 2022 Santa Cruz. The unibody pickup eschews the boxy proportions of traditional pickups in favor of a youthful design based on its crossovers.

The “Santa Cruz boasts bold yet sophisticated styling, powerful and efficient powertrain options, a flexible open bed for gear, cutting-edge connectivity and a highly maneuverable all-wheel-drive platform that is equally at home in urban and adventure-focused environments,” Hyundai says.

But with four doors for people and a bed hauling your gear, Hyundai promises that the Santa Cruz will combine the best of pickups and crossovers.

[AVANTI R5]

YouTube (Short URL)

YouTube (Short URL)

[Sid03SVT]

FWD or AWD
NA 2.5 190hp/180lbft (8spd auto)
Turbo 2.5 275hp/310lbft (8spd DCT)
Payload - 1,300
Towing - 3,500 NA - 5,000 TC

Good e-f***ing-nuff for me; if the DCT proves to be the proper combination of durable, reliable & low maintenance that is.

I trust this more than the forthcoming Ford escape based ute.

[subyski]

Originally Posted by Sid03SVT

FWD or AWD
NA 2.5 190hp/180lbft (8spd auto)
Turbo 2.5 275hp/310lbft (8spd DCT)
Payload - 1,300
Towing - 3,500 NA - 5,000 TC

Good e-f***ing-nuff for me; if the DCT proves to be the proper combination of durable, reliable & low maintenance that is.

I trust this more than the forthcoming Ford escape based ute.

It's good to note that the size of the Santa Cruz is meant to compete with the Ford Maverick, and less so with the Ridgeline. The RL is based on a larger vehicle.

I like the specs. The 2.5t is not offered in the Tucson (though it's been hinted to be used in a Tucson N). This Santa Cruz could be a fun compact sport truck.

[Kostamojen]

195 inches long too. Would actually fit in our garage unlike every other truck! Sign me up.

[Sid03SVT]

Originally Posted by subyski

It's good to note that the size of the Santa Cruz is meant to compete with the Ford Maverick, and less so with the Ridgeline. The RL is based on a larger vehicle.

I like the specs. The 2.5t is not offered in the Tucson (though it's been hinted to be used in a Tucson N). This Santa Cruz could be a fun compact sport truck.

Yep, it's supposed to start cheaper than the Ridgline and other "mid-sized" trucks, and be a proper "compact" truck again (I mean not like 80's taco small, but still smaller than the RL/Taco/Ranger/Fronty of today).

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

195 inches long too. Would actually fit in our garage unlike every other truck! Sign me up.

About 15" less than an RL and even more-so than a Taco/Fronty.

I like it so far, we'll see what happens when it actually comes out. The tough argument for me is, even though this vehicle looks like it will be "enough", a slightly used 1/2 Ton (F150 or Tundra) is still a compelling argument where I live (the sticks baby).

[SCRAPPYDO]

that TC version.

Pure Win.

Smaller and lighter than a RL but with more HP/Torque and a DCT

Oh man this will be an awesome little pick up. Easy to park, decent on gas, easy to afford. Perfect suburban truck. I would strongly consider one or the new R/L next

[SCRAPPYDO]

Interior back seat room will be vital.
but I can retire one of our SUV's for this or new Ridgeline. the powertrain along makes this a VERY attractive vehicle. Any speculation on price? Top trim will all boxes checked? 42?

[legacy_etu]

Originally Posted by AVANTI R5

https://youtu.be/aAJAhU6389E

Wow, was that Santa Cruz intro super stupid and annoying. Self absorbed youngsters filming themselves driving....like let's post this! Ugh.

Anyway, too small for me. I was hoping this would be more in line with the Ridgeline size wise.

[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by legacy_etu

:lo
Anyway, too small for me. I was hoping this would be more in line with the Ridgeline size wise.

Every single truck is that size... This is the first Sub 200 inch truck in a long LONG time.

[subyski]

I think the biggest complaint is going to be the bed size, the similar concern to the Maverick. The promo photos showing a bike with the front wheel hanging over the tail gate does not look appealing. Maybe there will be a cage extender to go on the tail gate. It seems like there are some hoping for a single cab (2 seat) version of this and the Maverick with a longer bed.

[dwf137]

Originally Posted by subyski

The promo photos showing a bike with the front wheel hanging over the tail gate does not look appealing.

I didn't see the photo, but that is the most common and easiest way to travel with mountain bikes in a pickup truck... even much larger ones. crash pads for tailgates are ubiquitous around here.

[subyski]

Originally Posted by dwf137

I didn't see the photo, but that is the most common and easiest way to travel with mountain bikes in a pickup truck... even much larger ones. crash pads for tailgates are ubiquitous around here.

Good to know. It looks like it is using a crash pad in the photo.

I guess I haven't paid full attention and I recall seeing bikes they are fully in the bed (full size) or in a hitch carrier. I will have to pay better attention.

[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by subyski

I think the biggest complaint is going to be the bed size, the similar concern to the Maverick. The promo photos showing a bike with the front wheel hanging over the tail gate does not look appealing. Maybe there will be a cage extender to go on the tail gate. It seems like there are some hoping for a single cab (2 seat) version of this and the Maverick with a longer bed.

The rear seats fold all the way up, might be able to park the bike inside.

[bugatti0628]

hopefully the learned the lessons from the subaru baja and may the sales say it was a good idea

[Pre]

Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO

Interior back seat room will be vital.

This is where it's going to fail for a lot of people. If the driver and front seat passenger are 6 ft, best of luck in the back. Good for kids though, just not adults. Either way good to see more options on the market sans behemoths.

[Blitzkrieg]

Sigh, Hyundai Why no 2X6" SIZED PASS THROUGH... It didn't have to be huge, but big enough to slide some ski's in. Such a missed opportunity to make a small pickup better. I loved my pass through on my 03 wrx. It made things far easier to use on certain occasions.

[Sub!eDr!ver]

I like it. Your move, Kia. Let's see what you can do to compete with this.

[subyski]

Originally Posted by Sub!eDr!ver

I like it. Your move, Kia. Let's see what you can do to compete with this.

I would like to see a truck based on the larger Telluride.

Originally Posted by Blitzkrieg

Sigh, Hyundai Why no 2X6" SIZED PASS THROUGH... It didn't have to be huge, but big enough to slide some ski's in. Such a missed opportunity to make a small pickup better. I loved my pass through on my 03 wrx. It made things far easier to use on certain occasions.

I can see this appeal, especially when this can be done in the sister CUV Tucson.

I would put my skis on a roof mounted rack anyways. I can't tell if the Santa Cruz has factory mount points for one.

[fredzy]

Originally Posted by Blitzkrieg

Sigh, Hyundai Why no 2X6" SIZED PASS THROUGH... It didn't have to be huge, but big enough to slide some ski's in. Such a missed opportunity to make a small pickup better. I loved my pass through on my 03 wrx. It made things far easier to use on certain occasions.

Seems to be the only miss with this thing, no pass through. They must have had a good reason to omit that

The top spec of this thing is like, wow. I give em props for putting this out there for sure. I hope it does well.

[SCRAPPYDO]

Originally Posted by Pre

This is where it's going to fail for a lot of people. If the driver and front seat passenger are 6 ft, best of luck in the back. Good for kids though, just not adults. Either way good to see more options on the market sans behemoths.

Agree 100%

[dwf137]

The lack of a pass through is a bummer. I was pretty intrigued by the VW Tarok concept as it had a huge passthrough that would really make the thing useful. With a small bed like that, an SUV is way more useful for hauling just about anything...

[chanomatik]

My buddy might be tempted to trade-in his Baja for this.