New Hyundai Santa Cruz – Off-road Test Drive

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Hyundai Motor unveiled the first off-road pickup truck in its history, the Santa Cruz. The novelty is equipping with a monocoque body and is position as a Sport-Adventure Vehicle (SAV) – a sports adventure vehicle. By introducing such a term, the Korean company alludes to a close relationship with the SUV.

hyundai santa
pickup truck

Stylistically, the Santa Cruz is similar to the fourth generation Tucson crossover . The cars have an identical front end design, although they have no common body parts.

At the same time, the pickup is noticeably larger than the Tussan: its length is 4.97 meters versus 4.5, the wheelbase is 3 meters versus 2.68. The car received a cargo compartment of 132.3 cm. However, by the standards of competitors, Santa Cruz is just a crumb.

So far, the most compact off-road pickup in the United States is the Honda Ridgeline , which is over 5.3 meters. But during 2021, the Ford Maverick with a monocoque body will enter the market, which will “play” with the Korean novelty in the same class.

Performance Details

Payload has not yet been report, but you should not expect impressive values: given the load-bearing body structure and rear multi-link spring suspension, the Hyundai Santa Cruz will fall short of the capabilities usual for traditional tracks. And the traction capabilities are very modest: with a car you can use trailers with a gross weight of 1588-2268 kg, depending on the selected engine.

By default, the baby-truck is equip with a 2.5-liter “aspirate”, producing 193 hp. It is combin with an eight-speed “automatic” and four-wheel drive. As an option, a 280-horsepower turbo engine of the same volume is offer. It is aggregate by a “robot” with two clutches.

hyundai santa
Pickup truck

The interior decoration is design in the spirit of the same Tucson. In the “base” there is an eight-inch touchscreen media system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For a surcharge, a 10-inch screen and a digital instrument panel are offer.

The rear seats can be lift vertically up and locked in this position. There are boxes for small things under them. Already in the standard version, an automatic braking system is provide, which can also recognize pedestrians and cyclists.

hyundai santa
pickup truck

The first Hyundai pickup will be producing at the company’s Alabama plant, with assembly starting in June. Prices have not yet been announce.

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