Hyundai Santa Cruz has been updated – this is the only pickup truck in the brand’s line-up

The Korean company Hyundai showed the updated Santa Cruz pickup truck. This model is the only car with this body type. It is aimed primarily at the North American market.


After the update, the Hyundai Santa Cruz became even more brutal. Now it doesn't look like a converted Tucson pickup. The front of the model was rethought - a new radiator grille and different daytime running lights appeared. The latter have become more square and larger, whereas previously they were narrow rectangles.

For those who like a catchy appearance, we have developed a special XRT package. It makes the Hyundai Santa Cruz look more like a sporty SUV ready for adventure.


The XRT pickup's grille is black instead of chrome. The side mirror housings and door handles are the same. The plastic lining on the arches and along the bottom of the body, which is also included in the basic configuration, has been enlarged - they are wider and more massive.

The XRT package adds larger wheels with AT off-road tires. As for alloy wheels, they have an original design. The beams are made in the form of halves of wrenches.

There are changes in the interior as well. The front console, for example, has been completely redesigned. Now there are two screens on it in a single housing, each of them has a diameter of 12,3 inches. The steering wheel was also replaced with a three-spoke one. It should be noted that it looks a little retro.

The theme of returning to the past is continued by the massive automatic transmission lever, located between the front seats according to the classic design. But the updated single-platform Hyundai Tucson has lost it - the controls have been moved to the steering column.

As for the technical characteristics, they remained at the same level. There is only one engine under the hood of the Hyundai Santa Cruz - with a volume of 2,5 liters. It is offered in two versions - naturally aspirated and turbocharged.

The first produces 191 hp. With. This option is recommended for lovers of classic cars, which are easier to repair yourself.

The turbocharged Hyundai Santa Cruz can be called a sports pickup truck. True, inferior, because the car was created on a frameless front-wheel drive chassis. The 2,5 liter engine in this version produces 281 hp. thanks to turbocharging.


There is only one gearbox, regardless of the version. This is an eight-speed “robot” with two clutches.

The restyled Hyundai Santa Cruz will continue to be offered in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. However, you shouldn’t expect miracles of cross-country ability from the latter either - the rear axle is connected via a multi-plate clutch.

Prices for the pickup truck after restyling are still unknown.