| Hyundai Santa Cruz | |
| Manufacturer: | Hyundai |
| Model Code: | NX4a OB[1] |
| Production: | June 2021 – present[2] |
| Model Years: | 2022–present |
| Assembly: | United States: Montgomery, Alabama (HMMA) |
| 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) |
| Transmission: | 8-speed A8F27 automatic 8-speed D8LF1 dual-clutch automatic |
| Wheelbase: | 30051NaN1 |
| Length: | 49701NaN1 |
| Width: | 19051NaN1 |
| Height: | 16951NaN1 |
| Weight: | 3704- |
| Sp: | us |
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", 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 and of torque (U.S. only). A turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that produces and 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]
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,042[14] | 930[15] | |
| 2022 | 36,480[16] | 3,682[17] | |
| 2023 | 36,675[18] | 3,544 |