Hyundai Santa Cruz | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Hyundai |
Model code | NX4a OB [1] |
Production | June 2021 – present [2] |
Model years | 2022–present |
Assembly | United 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) |
Length | 4,970 mm (195.7 in) |
Width | 1,905 mm (75.0 in) |
Height | 1,695 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.
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]
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]
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]
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 eight-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine gets an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters. [12]
The 2022 Santa Cruz was awarded "Top Safety Pick" by IIHS. [13]
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 |
Year | United States | Canada |
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2021 | 10,042 [14] | 930 [15] |
2022 | 36,480 [16] | 3,682 [17] |
2023 | 36,675 [18] | 3,544 [17] |