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.
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.
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 and of torque that is exclusive to the United States. A turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that produces and 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. +IIHS scores (2022 model year)Small overlap front (driver)GoodSmall overlap front (passenger)GoodModerate overlap front (original test)GoodSide (original test)GoodRoof strengthGoodHead restraints and seatsGoodHeadlights (varies by trim/option)GoodPoorFront crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicleSuperiorStandard systemFront crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicleSuperiorOptional systemFront crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (Day)SuperiorStandard systemFront crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (Day)SuperiorOptional systemSeatbelt remindersAcceptableChild seat anchors (LATCH) ease of useAcceptable
Sales Year United StatesCanada202110,042930202236,4803,682202336,6753,544202432,0332,574202525,4991,643
References
External links
Official website (Hyundai USA) Official website (Hyundai Canada)