Hyundai Santa Cruz

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Hyundai Santa Cruz
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, Front Left, 10-17-2021.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Hyundai
Model code NX4a OB [1]
ProductionJune 2021 – present [2]
Model years 2022–present
AssemblyUnited States: Montgomery, Alabama (HMMA)
Body and chassis
Class Compact pickup truck
Body style 4-door pickup
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Front-engine, all-wheel-drive (HTRAC)
Platform Hyundai-Kia N3 [3]
Chassis Unibody
Related Hyundai Tucson (NX4)
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission 8-speed A8F27 automatic
8-speed D8LF1 dual-clutch automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 3,005 mm (118.3 in)
Length4,970 mm (195.7 in)
Width1,905 mm (75.0 in)
Height1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Curb weight 1,680–1,870 kg (3,704–4,123 lb)

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.

Contents

Industry analysts expected the Santa Cruz to attract car or crossover SUV buyers instead of people who have owned a larger, traditional pickup truck. [4]

Overview

The Santa Cruz was previewed by a concept pickup truck at the 2015 North American International Auto Show with the same name. [5]

The production model debuted in April 2021 for the North American market. Marketed as a "Sport Adventure Vehicle", [4] 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'), [6] production site, and dashboard design. [7] 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. [8]

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 strut suspension 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. [9]

2025 facelift

The facelifted Santa Cruz was revealed on 27 March 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. [10] [11]

Powertrain

The Santa Cruz is available with the standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine that produces 191 hp (194 PS; 142 kW) and 181 lb⋅ft (245 N⋅m; 25.0 kg⋅m) of torque (U.S. only). A turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that produces 281 hp (285 PS; 210 kW) and 311 lb⋅ft (422 N⋅m; 43.0 kg⋅m) of torque is available as an option (standard in Canada). 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. [12] For the 2026 model year, the turbocharged engine became paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission replaced the dual-clutch automatic. [13]

Safety

The 2022 Santa Cruz was awarded "Top Safety Pick" by IIHS. [14]

IIHS scores (2022 model year)
Small overlap front (driver)Good
Small overlap front (passenger)Good
Moderate overlap front (original test)Good
Side (original test)Good
Roof strengthGood
Head restraints and seatsGood
Headlights (varies by trim/option)GoodPoor
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicleSuperiorStandard system
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicleSuperiorOptional system
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (Day)SuperiorStandard system
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (Day)SuperiorOptional system
Seatbelt remindersAcceptable
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease of useAcceptable

Sales

YearUnited StatesCanada
202110,042 [15] 930 [16]
202236,480 [17] 3,682 [18]
202336,675 [19] 3,544 [18]
202432,033 [20] 2,574 [21]

References

  1. ↑ loubeat (April 15, 2021). "2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Leaked!". Korean Car Blog. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Hyundai Santa Cruz Enters Production". Motor1.com. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  3. ↑ Hunter, Callum. "Hyundai teases Santa Cruz ute, Aus launch ruled out". GoAuto. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Wayland, Michael (April 15, 2021). "Hyundai enters U.S. pickup market with new Santa Cruz 'Sport Adventure Vehicle'". CNBC. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Hyundai Introduces Convention-Shattering Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept at Detroit International Auto Show". Hyundai Motor Company (Press release). January 12, 2015. Archived from the original on November 7, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  6. ↑ loubeat (April 15, 2021). "2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Leaked!". Korean Car Blog. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  7. ↑ "2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz unveiled, Australian launch ruled out". CarAdvice.com. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  8. ↑ "2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Revealed With Little Proportions, Big Style". Motor1.com. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  9. ↑ "2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz First Look: Return of the Compact Truck". MotorTrend. April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  10. ↑ Smith, Christopher (March 27, 2024). "The New Hyundai Santa Cruz Is Slightly Truckier". Motor1.
  11. ↑ "Enhanced Hyundai 2025 Santa Cruz Makes World Debut at the New York International Auto Show". Hyundai Motors. March 27, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  12. ↑ Bell, Sebastien (April 15, 2021). "2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Is A Half Tucson SUV, Half Small Pickup Truck With Up To 275 HP". Carscoops. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  13. ↑ Furlong, Karl (July 17, 2025). "Every 2026 Hyundai Model Year Update You Need To Know". Autoblog. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  14. ↑ "2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Crew cab pickup". IIHS-HLDI crash testing and highway safety. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Hyundai Motor America Reports December, Q4 and 2021 Sales". Hyundai Motor America (Press release). January 4, 2022.
  16. ↑ "2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Sales Figures". carfigures.com. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Hyundai Motor America Reports Record-Setting December, Q4 and 2022 Sales". Hyundai Motor America (Press release). January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  18. 1 2 "Hyundai Canada reports calendar year 2023 and December sales". conceptcarz. January 9, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Hyundai Motor America Reports Record-Breaking December, Q4 and 2023 Sales". Hyundai Motor America (Press release). January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Hyundai Motor America Reports All-Time December, Q4 and 2024 Sales Records". Hyundai Motor America (Press release). January 3, 2025. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  21. ↑ Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (2025). "2024 Year in Review" (PDF).
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