The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz flawlessly merges the usefulness of a pickup with the comfortable journey of a crossover, placing itself at the juncture of sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks. Its open bed and seating for five position it in rivalry with compact pickup trucks like the Ford Maverick and adventure-focused crossovers such as the Subaru Outback.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz shares its foundation with the Hyundai Tucson compact crossover, showcasing a front-end design evocative of an off-roadable crossover and a square-box pickup look at the rear. The compact profile is decorated with trendy black cladding, running over the rockers and complemented by obtainable 20-inch wheels. The bed incorporates built-in lockable tonneau cover, concealed bed storage with a drain plug, and optional bed-extending accessories.
The standard 2.5-liter inline-4 engine produces 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, while the available 2.5-liter turbo-4 with standard all-wheel drive provides a more potent performance, yielding 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Cruz offers an all-wheel-drive system with a center locking differential for enhanced uphill grip or when slip occurs. The ride is tranquil and pleasant for everyday driving, resembling that of a compact crossover.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz attains an EPA-rated 21 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined with all-wheel drive and the standard 191-hp 2.5-liter inline-4. It gives precedence to safety with standard driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and active lane control.
Commencing at $26,650, the base SE trim of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz arrives furnished with 18-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a remote opening power tailgate. The lineup encompasses three SEL grades and the top Limited trim, priced at a maximum of $41,070 with the turbo-4 and AWD.
As Hyundai’s inaugural foray into the pickup truck segment, the 2024 Santa Cruz impresses with its audacious styling, responsive driving dynamics, and cutting-edge technology. Positioned at the forefront of its category, the Santa Cruz surpasses its price point, making it a captivating choice for those seeking a fusion of adaptability and style.
Image Source: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock
