2023 – 2024 Truck 2023 and 2024 Pickup Truck Models: In-depth reviews and ratings about new and future pickup trucks.
The upcoming 2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz is finally reaching American soil. According to the South Korean manufacturer, this pickup truck will be produced in Alabama. The production will start at some point next year and the sales should start in the first quarter of 2021. Hyundai presented its Santa Cruz pickup back in 2015 at the Detroit Auto Show. Since then, we didn’t have an opportunity to see this model in the U.S. Santa Cruz looks beautiful and we like how muscular this model looks.
Design is definitely unique and should please the customers in North America. As for the interior design, Hyundai promises an SUV-like cabin with modern touches. Performance is a mystery, as this model was showcased four years ago. Still, Hyundai said the idea is to deliver fuel-efficient powertrain options.
2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz Looks Very Unique
Hyundai, as one of the biggest carmakers on the planet, is finally turning to the pickup truck segment. The all-new 2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz is just a beginning. And we like the company’s goal to strike the U.S. markets, right from the start. For that reason, this pickup truck will have to look more than competitive in order to survive the tough market. The new model will show the company’s new design language and it will look very unique.
Santa Cruz will wear plenty of modern touches, both in and out. The front fascia hosts a very upright grille and it looks sharp. A pair of front-hinged doors are another unique novelty while we also like the bigger tailgate in the back. Generally, Santa Cruz looks classy and incredibly stylish. According to the latest reports, this model will compete in the compact pickup truck segment.
Interior Updates
The interior is quite a mystery at the moment. As we mentioned, this model was introduced in 2015 and it will be changed for sure. The upcoming pickup 2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz will borrow the interior of the Tucson SUV, according to the newest reports. This is a popular move and basically, every manufacturer likes to deliver a cabin based on the SUV model.
Hyundai is no different and while it doesn’t look unique, comfort and modern interior are guaranteed. The design will be very similar, while the display and upholstery are completely the same. Santa Cruz will introduce ambient lighting and superb safety rating on its range-topping trim level. There will be room for five passengers inside this compact pickup truck.
Powertrain Specs
Another thing that is hard to predict is the engine. Moreover, this is the first Hyundai’s pickup truck that will reach American soil. Competition is tough and the South Korean manufacturer has no room for mistake. The 2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz will be oriented towards fuel efficiency, rather than power. For that reason, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine seems to be the most likely option.
Santa Cruz will deploy the FWD setup and it will arrive with body-on-frame architecture. Moreover, this pickup could borrow the optional engine from Tucson SUV. It is a 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated gasoline unit that can produce 182 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. Moreover, this powertrain use a 6-speed automatic transmission and its fuel economy is 28 mpg.
2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz Cost and Release Date
Once it arrives, 2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz will be an affordable model, which is the company’s long-term plan. Still, the exact pricing details are not available yet.
We can expect more information closer to the release date. The pickup truck will go on sale in the first quarter of 2021. It will be produced in Alabama, with Santa Fe and Sonata models.
