Looking at American trucks over the years, it’s hard to ignore their growing size and price, but 2021 might just be the year that bucks that trend. Earlier in the year, Ford announced the compact Maverick pickup truck, and after months of rumors, Hyundai did the same. The Santa Cruz will be a small unibody pickup designed in California and built in Alabama. Today, the automaker announced pricing for the upcoming vehicle.
Pricing for the Santa Cruz starts at $23,990, which after the $1,185 destination charge comes to $25,175. That reasonable sum buys the base SE trim, which comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. Hyundai estimates that the base engine produces 190 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, while the available turbocharged 2.5-liter engine makes 275 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.
Other standard features include:
The Santa Cruz rides on a unibody frame, which gives it a better ride than most trucks.Hyundai
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED taillights
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Rear occupant alerts
- Driver attention warnings
- Lane keeping assist
- Speed limit warnings
- Leading vehicle departure alerts
Despite its size and unibody construction, the Santa Cruz does offer traditional truck capabilities. With the base engine on board, the vehicle is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds, and with the turbocharged engine that number increases to 5,000 pounds. The unibody setup also gives the Santa Cruz a more car-like ride and handling, which improves comfort. It’s a configuration that is also used by the Honda Ridgeline and the upcoming Ford Maverick pickups.
The Santa Cruz has a useful bed that can be configured a few ways.Hyundai
Hyundai started building the Santa Cruz at its Montgomery, Alabama factory in June. The automaker says that its production will eventually add 1,200 jobs to the facility, and notes that the vehicle will go on sale sometime later this summer. We’re heading out to drive the new Santa Cruz in early August, so stay tuned for a first-drive review in a few weeks.
