Santa Cruz not as weird looking as I expected.

[Yardtruck]

The Santa Cruz was in development for over 5 years. Too many cooks spoil the pot...and you know what a horse designed by a committee looks like-right?

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[JASmith]

The Santa Cruz was in development for over 5 years. Too many cooks spoil the pot...and you know what a horse designed by a committee looks like-right?

Not really, so they released the SC concept ages ago, and were going to put it on the Tucson platform.

They decided the Tucson platform (last generation) was too wussy to handle truckish duties and so the SC program was suspended waiting for the next complete redesign of the Tucson platform, which would be designed from the getgo to be more robust.

So that's why the SC was delayed so long, and the team that designed the SC unique parts that separate it from the Tucson is actually a relatively small team in California that had autonomy to pretty much do what they wanted.

 

[jtpc2021]

Saw my first Santa Cruz on the roads. I have to say, it wasn’t as weird or unconventional looking as I expected. Different, yes, but not totally freakish. Have yet to see a Maverick “live and in-person.” Still like the looks of the Ford much better!

I felt similar. Got to see both back to back before my truck arrived.
The Maverick is a lot shorter in overall height than santa cruz.
Everyone on this forum will still talk shit about it and say it isn’t a real truck though. (despite being just as much of a truck as the Maverick in all metrics)

 

[skadizzle]

I was actually considering the Santa Cruz until they announced the Maverick. I was sold at the hybrid truck. I still would love for Chevy to bring back an El Camino or Ford to do a Ranchero. Chevy had the SSR, but that was too rich for my blood. Of course now that there are almost no Chevy or Ford cars, I don't see that ever happening.

 

[JennyJoannSuebeeMcNash]

I've owned an Element a couple of times, it was a great vehicle (Element Owners Club represent). But it had 2 things going against it - the charm/appeal was polarizing enough that it cut into sales and created a niche market it just couldn't break out from. As Honda attempted to make it more SUV-like (painted panels, then the more standard/truck-like front end), it lost the appeal to the niche buyers, but retained the stigma of the original looks for potential new buyers! The first 3-4 years it solidly sold 60K units/year. That was cut by 80% by the time it was discontinued.

Also, back in 2003 you could get the stripped DX for like $14K with AWD - that was an appealing and affordable price point for its target market.

When I look at the Maverick, I see a Honda Element in terms of practicality, without the polarizing look. Oh, and I'm getting better MPG with an engine that has 90 more horsepower - black magic.

The Element truly had no equal though! It swallowed a love seat whole, gate closed. That was a one-of-a-kind feature you won't find outside of a van.

My husband always thought the Element looked like a "chick car" and refused to drive mine. I got rid of mine with around 84,000 miles because the incessant rear brake issues just about drove me to drink.

 

[Yardtruck]

Not really, so they released the SC concept ages ago, and were going to put it on the Tucson platform.

They decided the Tucson platform (last generation) was too wussy to handle truckish duties and so the SC program was suspended waiting for the next complete redesign of the Tucson platform, which would be designed from the getgo to be more robust.

So that's why the SC was delayed so long, and the team that designed the SC unique parts that separate it from the Tucson is actually a relatively small team in California that had autonomy to pretty much do what they wanted.

Thank you for your information!
Do you know why they did not include a hybrid?

 

[pxpaulx]

Nah, it's a sport adventure vehicle!

 

[JASmith]

Thank you for your information!
Do you know why they did not include a hybrid?

So the Santa Cruz is a NA market only vehicle, and the Tucson is made with only the 2.5L in the US which is also a domestic made engine and transmission. The Tucson hybrid models are imported from Korea, where they make the hybrid engine and transmission. If the Santa Cruz were made in Korea, it probably would have the 1.6T Hybrid option, which is a good powertrain making around 220hp and most reviewers say its very peppy in the Tucson and is EPA rated 38/38 in the "blue" trim.

I think when they see how popular the Maverick hybrid is, they may reconsider and start shipping the hybrid powertrain from Korea and just have it installed in Alabama.

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