Topic: The Hyundai Santa Cruz truck is headed for production ‘ASAP’

[Ontariodriver]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3AZ7nIr33g&t=25s

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz | First Look

it's a chop Tuson. Tons more video here. https://www.carscoops.com/2021/04/take-an-in-depth-look-at-the-intriguing-hyundai-santa-cruz/

[dkaz]

FWIW, I watched the TFL video, and the bed has a built in retractable tonneau cover which will keep gear dry and relatively secure.  The 'bed' has loads of tie downs which could theoretically increase its usefulness (carrying a stove or dishwasher home from the store, for example).  It also has decent payload - close to 1600lbs, of which 660lbs (numbers all approximate) is useable in the bed.  That ain't shabby for a small vehicle.  You'll fill the bed with volume before you ever run out of payload.

Speaking of, I could see a vehicle like this being useful for somebody who has a plot in a community garden.  You could fill the bed with half a yard of too soil and drive it to your plot.

1600 lb.  You can tow a 5000 lb trailer with a 500 lb tongue weight and still have 1100 lb of payload for passengers and cargo. That's insane for something like this. I would've expected 1000-1200 lb which is about Tacoma's payload.

[dirtyjeffer]

so with all the talk about this thing, i've watched a ton of "first look" videos...it's kind of growing on me...not sure i'd buy one, but i'm warming up to it...it's kind of neat.

[marcus_go]

It is definitely a unique product offering. I see it for someone who only needs occasional use for a truck bed. The bed does look quite small, but I supposed adequate for someone picking up a small load of garden supplies or trip to the dump. The payload and towing capacity are impressive though.

Interesting to see some of the things they copied from the Ridgeline like the in-bed trunk and flip up rear seats. That trunk in the bed of the Santa Cruz looks really shallow though and the back seats don't look as roomy as the Ridgeline.

My dad recently purchased a Gen 2 Ridgeline (also had a Gen 1), and I would say the Ridgeline is definitely more of a midsize competitor, with the Santa Cruz looking to be quite a bit smaller, without having looked up the official dimensions.

Will be interesting to see Ford's offering in this segment with the upcoming Maverick.

[dirtyjeffer]

My dad recently purchased a Gen 2 Ridgeline (also had a Gen 1), and I would say the Ridgeline is definitely more of a midsize competitor, with the Santa Cruz looking to be quite a bit smaller, without having looked up the official dimensions.

yes, the Ridgeline is a mid-size and the Santa Cruz is a compact...the Ridgeline is about 15 inches longer than the Santa Cruz so it's a decent amount larger in length and width (and bed size)...the Santa Cruz's bed length at 51 inches is an inch longer than the one the Ford Explorer Sport Trac had...yes, the bed is on the smaller side, but likely fine for the target demographic...those who need a large bed, will just get a truck...this isn't trying to attract actual truck buyers (as they will need a truck).

[ktm525]

I wonder how well this relatively light unibody will do pulling 5000 lbs.  Perhaps a twist or two?

Good question. Honda beefed up the Ridgeline quite a bit to get to 5000lbs. With a heavier weight and longer wheelbase 5000lbs is really pushing it with the Ridgeline.

[marcus_go]

Yeah, 5000 lb seems optimistic considering how much smaller it is than the Ridgeline. I am thinking 3500-4000 lb tops.

Also, I read it will have a dual clutch transmission. I though most manufactures shy away from a DCT for anything that is subjected to towing duty.

[dirtyjeffer]

Yeah, 5000 lb seems optimistic considering how much smaller it is than the Ridgeline. I am thinking 3500-4000 lb tops.

Also, I read it will have a dual clutch transmission. I though most manufactures shy away from a DCT for anything that is subjected to towing duty.

only the turbo model has the dual clutch (assume a top trim spec)...the non-turbo model uses a conventional 8 speed auto...however, i'd assume the 5000 lb towing capacity would be with the more powerful engine...i'm not sure about towing being hard on the dual clutch (i don't know enough about that part).

[dirtyjeffer]

for Canada, it looks like we're only getting the 2.5 Turbo with AWD...i'm guessing there will be limited trims (1 or 2?)...perhaps they are trying to limit the trims here as they're not sure how well it will sell...i get the AWD part, but i think a well equipped non-turbo model would have been good too.

[OliverD]

for Canada, it looks like we're only getting the 2.5 Turbo with AWD...i'm guessing there will be limited trims (1 or 2?)...perhaps they are trying to limit the trims here as they're not sure how well it will sell...i get the AWD part, but i think a well equipped non-turbo model would have been good too.

Agreed, and it would lower the entry level price point.

[Jaeger]

Yeah, 5000 lb seems optimistic considering how much smaller it is than the Ridgeline. I am thinking 3500-4000 lb tops.

Also, I read it will have a dual clutch transmission. I though most manufactures shy away from a DCT for anything that is subjected to towing duty.

only the turbo model has the dual clutch (assume a top trim spec)...the non-turbo model uses a conventional 8 speed auto...however, i'd assume the 5000 lb towing capacity would be with the more powerful engine...i'm not sure about towing being hard on the dual clutch (i don't know enough about that part).

I don't know enough about that either.  Though I doubt anyone that routinely needs to tow 5000 lb would be seriously looking at the Santa Cruz.  It's basically a modern Korean El Camino - not a work truck.  Still, if they're going to make the claim, they better be able to back it up with durability.  I suspect they have given that due consideration, as they don't want to be buying everyone new transmissions.

My one real concern is back seat space, which looks fairly cramped and vertical - almost like what you'd see in the second row of a not too big pickup truck.  At least that was my impression looking at the vids.  I'm willing to bet far more customers will routinely use the back seat than use the bed.

I almost kinda wish they had made this thing a wagon. I saw in one of the vids where they were showing how you can carry a bicycle in the bed - with the front wheel removed.  Meanwhile my wife's Fit can carry my bike whole.

[Seafoam]

 Here is a TFL video that tries to answer the question . Real Truck  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D-fKzm_T_w

[dirtyjeffer]

Here is a TFL video that tries to answer the question . Real Truck  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D-fKzm_T_w

yea, one weakness of dual clutch transmissions is typically the more challenging off road stuff (they tend to overheat)...i think the conventional 8 speed auto would have been the better choice to use with both engines...my guess is, they wanted this to be more "unique" and "premium"...it's also unlikely anyone would take one of these in those types of conditions as well...TFL has some courses they test stuff on, so we'll find out how good it is in a few months.

[dkaz]

Even though it has the claimed towing capacity, I'm surprised there's the 7 pin trailer hookup back there.

[dirtyjeffer]

Even though it has the claimed towing capacity, I'm surprised there's the 7 pin trailer hookup back there.

it doesn't have trailer brake controls, anti sway and other good things for real towing...i'd still only suggest utility trailers or maybe jet skis (light stuff)...just means you won't be straining the vehicle that's only rated to tow 2000 lbs if you actually tow 2000 lbs.

[dkaz]

Even though it has the claimed towing capacity, I'm surprised there's the 7 pin trailer hookup back there.

it doesn't have trailer brake controls, anti sway and other good things for real towing...i'd still only suggest utility trailers or maybe jet skis (light stuff)...just means you won't be straining the vehicle that's only rated to tow 2000 lbs if you actually tow 2000 lbs.

Many vehicles with a 7 pin hookup don't have brake controllers built in. F150, Ram 1500, and Silverado/Sierra 1500 require a tow package to get a trailer brake controller.

I prefer sway bars which is only required if the trailer exceeds 50% of the tow vehicle's weight. All trailer owners should know how to properly load a trailer anyway. UHauls and lighter tent trailers only come with 4 pin connectors so there's no way a vehicle's electronic anti sway system is going to stop those from swaying.

[dirtyjeffer]

i know, i'm just saying, i still wouldn't suggest this for serious towing...get a proper truck for that.

[dkaz]

Even someone who may only pull their trailer 3 times a year and otherwise commute or at worse take their kids to the rink?

[dirtyjeffer]

Even someone who may only pull their trailer 3 times a year and otherwise commute or at worse take their kids to the rink?

maybe it's just me, but some things, i don't think you should skimp on...if you're just going to pull a small utility trailer or the jet skis a few times a year, that's fine...but if you really need to tow something bigger 3x a year, i'd likely just rent something for the day...all it takes is one accident to everything up.

[bridgecity]

If its rated for 5,000 lbs, it should be able to tow 5,000 lbs safely.  I'd be really disappointed if all I could feel like I could safely tow was a couple of jet skis with a vehicle that is rated for 5,000lbs.