Hyundai's new unibody pickup is a spiritual successor to the Subaru Baja, Chevy El Camino, and another small car/truck America has been missing all these years.
Hyundai Santa Cruz Front
The new 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a pickup truck. Its smaller proportions and unibody construction just mean it's no full-size tow rig. Instead, think of the first Hyundai pickup as an alternative to the also-unibody Honda Ridgeline, which too features a one-size-fits-all crew cab, short-bed body style. The Santa Cruz certainly looks more distinct than the Honda–or any other mid-size truck, for that matter–with its interesting face and creased sheet metal. Its interior also appears to be snazzier than its classmates, but the lack of physical controls (knobs and buttons) for the infotainment and HVAC systems, as well as what appears to be a small back seat, are question marks. Still, the 2022 Santa Cruz is a more functional twist on the tired crossover formula, and that open box on its butt means it qualifies as a pickup truck.
Hyundai Santa Cruz Rear
Visually, the Santa Cruz shares its front end with the new Tucson but with a slightly more rugged treatment for the bumper also resulting in a restyled headlamp cluster. Like the Tucson, the LED DRLs and the grille merge together in an unconventional yet attractive way, to our eyes at least, making for a design that definitely stands out. B-pillar onwards is when the design changes drastically, obviously, with its neatly integrated open bed. The rear features LED tail lamps and bold Santa Cruz lettering. The Santa Cruz has a longer wheelbase than the Tucson, 249mm longer at 3,005mm. Overall, it’s 4,971mm long, 1,905mm wide, and 1,694mm tall.
Hyundai Santa Cruz Interior
The Santa Cruz comes with two different powertrain choices. The standard setup is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that should make more than 190 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded engine is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four with more than 275 horses and 310fo pound-feet. Both mate to eight-speed automatics, but the turbo option partners with the dual-clutch variety. All-wheel drive is also offered with both four-cylinders. The Santa Cruz is shorter and lower than its segment rivals which, in theory, means it should be easier to maneuver. Hyundai also says its mid-size pickup is available with 18- or 20-inch wheels. The smaller dishes are said to offer taller sidewalls that are better suited for tackling rugged terrain.
-by Amaan Attar
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