Pickup trucks are the best-selling vehicles in the Cambodia, and as they have grown in size and capabilities, they may exceed the needs of many shoppers. That’s why the revival of the compact pickup truck is a welcome addition to the market. The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, launched in 2022, is the smallest truck on the market and offers a great option for light-duty users. It shares similarities with the larger midsize Honda Ridgeline, as both are mechanically related to crossover SUVs and benefit from a smoother ride due to their unibody construction.
Two years later, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz remains largely unchanged, but now faces competition from the Ford, another compact pickup truck that also rides on a unibody platform but has a more traditional truck-like appearance. The Santa Cruz is priced higher, but offers more luxury on the top trims, while the Ranger has a slight advantage in bed size and fuel efficiency. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and both are great options for downsizing from larger trucks.
Interior & Technology:
The Santa Cruz’s interior is more premium compared to other small trucks, thanks to its shared components with the impressive Hyundai Tucson compact SUV. The top Limited trim offers luxurious features such as leather upholstery, ventilated seats, and a widescreen infotainment system. Hyundai’s infotainment systems are user-friendly and feature-packed, although the capacitive touch controls can be distracting to use. However, history has shown that such controls are often replaced with conventional knobs and buttons in future generations.
Passenger & Cargo Space:
The Santa Cruz is considered very small for a pickup truck, measuring 195.7 inches in length. It is shorter than midsize trucks like the Nissan Frontier and even shorter than the compact Ford Maverick. However, it offers plenty of ground clearance and width, similar to midsize trucks. It’s important to note that the Santa Cruz is more than a foot longer than the Hyundai Tucson crossover SUV due to its truck bed, which is longer than most SUV cargo areas. Despite its smaller size, the Santa Cruz’s cabin can be quite spacious, especially in the back seat. However, it still falls short in legroom compared to compact crossovers.
Performance & Fuel Economy:
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE and SEL come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offers front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. The base engine provides adequate acceleration and returns an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined with front-wheel drive. The Santa Cruz Night, XRT, and Limited trims come with a more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It has standard all-wheel drive and an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. The turbo engine provides quicker acceleration and has a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds. However, fuel economy is slightly lower at 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined.
Driving Experience:
The Santa Cruz offers a responsive and agile driving experience that feels more like a compact crossover SUV than a traditional truck. It handles well on twisting roads and features sport mode for a more engaging driving experience. The suspension remains planted and composed, while the ride is on the firmer side.
Pricing & Trim Levels:
For 2024, the Santa Cruz introduces a new XRT trim level, featuring bed rail tie-down points, wider fender flares, and matte black mirrors and door handles. It also includes pedestrian/cyclist detection for the forward collision prevention system and adaptive cruise control. LED headlights and steering wheel haptic safety alerts are now standard on all models. The SEL trim comes with dual-zone automatic climate control, while the SEL Activity package and Night trim level receive a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and synthetic leather upholstery, respectively. The Santa Cruz’s pricing starts at a higher range but offers more luxurious top trims compared to the Ford Maverick.
Crash Ratings & Safety Features:
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz has not yet been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for crashworthiness. However, it comes with standard safety features such as forward collision prevention, adaptive cruise control, and pedestrian/cyclist detection for certain trim levels.
Pros: The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a fun and refined truck to drive. It has a high-class interior with great technology features. It also has clever bed features that add versatility for users.
Cons: The back seat is cramped and the price can be high, especially with the turbo engine. The base engine is slow and inefficient.
In conclusion, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a compact pickup truck that offers a unique blend of style, versatility, and refinement. It provides a high-class interior with great technology features, although the back seat can be cramped. The Santa Cruz’s performance is adequate, with the option of a more powerful turbo engine for those who need more towing capacity. It offers a comfortable and agile driving experience that feels more like a compact crossover SUV than a traditional truck. The Santa Cruz’s pricing may be on the higher side, especially with the turbo engine, but it compensates with more luxurious top trims. Overall, the Santa Cruz is a compelling choice for those looking to downsize from larger trucks or for light-duty users who value style and versatility in a smaller package.