Dressed in heavy camouflage, the Santa Cruz draws inspiration from a similarly named concept which was introduced in 2015. Considering so much time has passed, it’s little surprise the production model will differ from the concept. The road-going pickup will feature a wider grille and more angular accents.
Those aren’t the only changes as the Santa
Cruz features a new central air intake and what appears to be headlights
inspired by the Palisade. Continuing further back, the truck has been equipped
traditional door handles and an angular rear pillar. The model also adopts a crew cab
configuration rather than the concept’s extended cab setup.
Hyundai hasn’t said much about the truck
lately but, back in 2019, the automaker confirmed the Santa Cruz would be built
in Montgomery, Alabama starting in 2021. At the time, the automaker said the
model would appeal to millennials as well as anyone “who want[s] all the
traditional attributes of a compact utility vehicle, but need[s] the day-to-day
versatility of an open bed.”
While a lot of questions remain, the
Ridgeline competitor will likely be based on the Santa Fe which is also built
at the plant. Engine options remain unconfirmed, but could include a 2.5-liter
four-cylinder that produces 191 hp and 247 Nm of
torque. It could be joined by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 277
hp and 422 Nm of torque.
The 2022 Genesis GV70 was also spotted
alongside the pickup. While it’s heavily disguised, the crossover was unveiled
earlier this month and will arrive at U.S. dealerships next year. As a
refresher, the GV70 features an upscale design and two different engines in the
United States. The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder should produce 300 hp and 422 Nm of torque, while the optional
twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 should have 375 hp and 530
Nm of torque.
