Santa Cruz not as weird looking as I expected.

[onetequilatwo]

Wanted to inch towards the EV world so never considered the SC and did not need to replace my car. Wanted a truck again for the half dozen times a year that I really needed one and it was a hybrid and affordable. At least the SC serves the needs of some taking off some of the demand so we'll all be able to get our Mavericks.

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[Meintc]

I saw my first SC in the wild today. Still looks odd to me.

 

[Barracuda340]

Hyundai santa cruz is too bizarre looking for me. Planet of mutants styling comes to mind for some reason.

 

[sseiler]

I've actually always liked the Santa Cruz. I mean I like the Maverick more (which is why I ordered one instead), but if the Maverick hadn't come out I might have considered it.

Perfectly understandable… but then there is the $8k-$10k “market adjustment” with no option of ordering one that you’d have to accept if you went with one.

… and then there’s the drive. I test drove one. Personally, I think it looks like , but, if the looks don’t get you, the underwhelming drive most certainly will. If you don’t believe me, take one on a test drive and then let us know what you think. (It’s really surprisingly bad.) Now, you can get one with turbo, which probably is comparable to the 2.0 Mav, but you’ll have to go well into the $40s to get it. Why not just get an F-150 or Ranger for that amount?

The coolest thing about it is the cooler under the bed (which even felt a bit gimmicky).

Oh, and I’m totally biased. I’m so pissed that Hyundai didn’t make a hybrid option. We own a Hyundai IONIQ hybrid, and we love it. They have hybrids in a few other models. Honestly, I think they have the best hybrids on the market. With the Santa Cruz, it’s mind boggling that they didn’t make a hybrid option - and, instead, made a gas-guzzler - to compete with the only other truck in the same class, which is a standard hybrid. Maybe this decision was made the same folks who came up with that hideous grill design.

 

[NorthShoreMaverick]

While working today spotted a Santa Cruz in the wild. The white with black looks nice. Still prefer the truck look of the Maverick more.

 

[TacoHolder]

Personally, I think it looks like , but, if the looks don’t get you, the underwhelming drive most certainly will. If you don’t believe me, take one on a test drive and then let us know what you think

Disagree. I test drove a fwd non turbo and thought the power was adequate and the handling was phenomenal. Nice interior, too. The trunk under the bed and remote release tailgate are pretty nice features as well.

 

[Yardtruck]

I am underwhelmed by the looks...but the load bed features attract me.
Really like the in bed trunk. And the corner bed steps. (Great for old people-like me and the missus!) Plus no start/stop!
I have been reading the SC forum closely and there are issues cropping up with the safety features. And a worrisome tendency to start flashing all the fault lights at once.
After having bought one truck In its first year (2004 Colorado, ugh!) I will wait till the 2023’s to buy, whichever one I choose.

 

[MattIngram]

All of the headlines would be saying what a game changer the Santa Cruz was if Hyundai would have:

- Created a more aggressive stance by having the fenders stick out a little more

- Angled the cabin instead of a tear drop

- Redesigned that hideous front grill from something choppy to something slick/swept around and continuous, like the Rivian.

- Had more truck bed options and possibly a bit longer and more customization

- Came out with a hybrid version and talking up a nextgen electric version

Fisker teased something similar with a future electric pickup. It created a lot of buzz. The current Santa Cruz just looks like a sad compromise.

 

[Yardtruck]

All of the headlines would be saying what a game changer the Santa Cruz was if Hyundai would have:

- Created a more aggressive stance by having the fenders stick out a little more

- Angled the cabin instead of a tear drop

- Redesigned that hideous front grill from something choppy to something slick/swept around and continuous, like the Rivian.

- Had more truck bed options and possibly a bit longer and more customization

- Came out with a hybrid version and talking up a nextgen electric version

Fisker teased something similar with a future electric pickup. It created a lot of buzz. The current Santa Cruz just looks like a sad compromise.

Well yes...five years of committee meetings and this is what you get!

 

[AutobahnSHO]

I am buying Maverick because of the gas mileage on the hybrid commuter car, plus it doubles as a small truck. SC just can't match the economy. It's a more (truck towing) capable and comfortable vehicle, but have to pay more to get that.

 

[unsung]

I don't like the lack of physical buttons in the interior of the Santa Cruz.

 

[Crispy]

I drove a SC today. SEL Prem which is the trim I've been looking for. Problem is it is going to be around $38K. Seats were a bit too firm for my liking. Shiny black plastic everywhere. I'm already dealing with that in my Veloster N, but I only drive it on track. I need something I can live with everyday.

So $38K for the SC or $30K exactly for an XLT 2.0T with every package... I'm gonna try a Furd. If I don't like it, I can probably sell the Maverick for $30K to Carvana...

 

[TMFord]

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 recently stopped at a dealer that I pass daily and looked at one up close on their front lot. I thought it looked even worse in person.

 

[JASmith]

I’m so pissed that Hyundai didn’t make a hybrid option. We own a Hyundai IONIQ hybrid, and we love it. They have hybrids in a few other models. Honestly, I think they have the best hybrids on the market. With the Santa Cruz, it’s mind boggling that they didn’t make a hybrid option - and, instead, made a gas-guzzler - to compete with the only other truck in the same class, which is a standard hybrid. Maybe this decision was made the same folks who came up with that hideous grill design.

Yeah, I'm in the same camp, although one of the people that actually loves the look of the Santa Cruz. Then again, I'm one of the weirdos that thinks the first generation Ridgeline is the best one, and they took steps backwards trying to make it look normal.

The turbo requires too many bells and whistles jacking up the price (not true in Canada though), and the non-turbo makes no more power than the hybrid with much worse economy. The hybrid 1.6T would make 226hp and in the Tuscon gets 38mpg/38mpg so even in a SC should do fine.

Hyundai would be wise to learn from the Maverick and make the base engine a hybrid, and make either powertrain available on all trims, with a build-to-order business model like Ford.

 

[Crispy]

Yeah, I'm in the same camp, although one of the people that actually loves the look of the Santa Cruz. Then again, I'm one of the weirdos that thinks the first generation Ridgeline is the best one, and they took steps backwards trying to make it look normal.

LOL! I own a first gen Ridgeline and I was so disappointed when the 2nd gens came out. For exactly this reason.

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