New 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is about to hit the dealerships in the US. The South Korean brand will produce its new pickup truck in Alabama. The production will start at the beginning of the next year, and sales will begin later in 2021. Santa Cruz pickup was presented at the Detroit Auto Show in 2015. Since then, Hyundai failed to deliver its model on American soil.
We think Santa Cruz looks beautiful, and it could represent a true refreshment in the pickup segment. Some parts are looking muscular, and the interior is more SUV-like. The customers should expect a lot of modern touches and optional packages. However, the performance still remains a mystery.
2023 Santa Cruz Looks Unique
After delivering a couple of great SUVs, Hyundai is finally turning its attention to pickup trucks. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz will arrive as an all-new model. However, we can’t say it looks unique. The reason for lack of uniqueness is that most of the styling cues are taken from Tucson and Santa Fe models. On the other hand, it is a recognizable company’s design language.
Santa Cruz will offer a couple of modern touches on the outside. The front fascia sports a stylish grille, and it looks sharp. We like the front-hinged doors and larger tailgate in the back of the vehicle. Santa Cruz will look classy, but it won’t be a premium pickup truck. Lastly, this model will most likely arrive as a compact model.
SUV-Like Interior Design
The cabin details are not available yet. However, the same thing will happen on the inside. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz will arrive with an SUV-like cabin. Moreover, most of the stuff has been taken from the brand’s SUV lineup. This comes as no real surprise as every other manufacturer is doing exactly the same thing. The comfort is admirable, and the interior will surely look very modern.
The cabin design won’t surprise us, but we are still waiting to see a list of standard and optional equipment. Moreover, we are interested in the type of displays and trim levels. There will be room for five passengers, and Hyundai will offer ample legroom. The safety ratings will be high, especially in the range-topping trim level.
Engine Possibilities
This is perhaps the biggest mystery. The performance of 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the most interesting category because this model will arrive in the US. America is full of established models, so there is no room for mistakes. Santa Cruz will focus on fuel efficiency, so we expect smaller engines in the offer. For a start, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder should arrive as standard.
Thanks to its body-on-frame structure, Santa Cruz will offer a front-wheel-drive system. 2.4-liter gasoline is another likely option with 182 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. The same engine powers the new Tucson SUV. Thanks to that, Santa Cruz could deliver around 28 mpg combined, which is great. Finally, 6-speed automatic transmission will surely satisfy the customers.
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Release Date and Price
The approaching 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz will represent an affordable option in the compact pickup truck segment. The price will start below $30,000 for sure. Its sales will begin at the beginning of 2023, and this pickup will be sold in the United States.
