Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz More Than Just a Weird Car/Truck Thing? 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Review

[@billwalmsley795]

Purchased a 2024 Santa Cruz "Trend" package (mid level in Canada). Replaced a 2011 Chevy Colorado. The Hyundai has more power, better ride, better gas mileage, more payload, more hitch weight rating and tows the same. My only wish was to have more ground clearance to travel up fire service roads when mtn biking...so I installed a 2" lift kit, Perfect. I do pull a small travel trailer and have no issues doing so. I do use it as a truck for renovations on my house which is more than most full sized grocery getter trucks that I see. Love the trucklet.

[@scottm.5476]

i got my SEL w/ activity package in October. i love it. it has enough power for me, and all the fun stuff the higher trim packages have without the upper problematic issues with the dual clutch transmission.

[@joemiller6209]

That’s my plan exactly next month!

[@scottm.5476]

@@joemiller6209 i hope you love it as much as i love mine. it has been GREAT so far. you getting the same SEL with activity package?

[@dag681]

Exactly how i got mine. Took off the bogus tonneau cover and sold it. That was the only major change. Made money on it and bought a roll up cover and can carry more. It is built like a tank and doesn't rust like my Toyotas did.

[@scottm.5476]

@@joemiller6209 i think you will love it- GREAT TRUCK!!

[@joemiller6209]

@@scottm.5476 I finally got it in May, great vehicle! Probably more bells and whistles than I needed but it’s been a great introduction to owning a truck. Love the California Sand color 😎

[@robertmorris4641]

I traded my 2019 Frontier SV for one. I couldn't be happier!

[@MaxPayne909]

The 2025 XRT looks amazing.

[@SteveCraig-tn9do]

I’m getting one but keeping my 3/4 ton.

[@barbaragraves7446]

Been looking at the turbo model as a hauler for a small travel trailer. Like the towing and payload capabilities (better than Maverick). Like the small size to keep total length under 40 feet. The bed is big enough for extra gas cans, generator and a BBQ. The price is below a Frontier, Ridgeline, Tacoma, Colorado or Ranger. For the two of us it is looking pretty good. Thanks to EatSleepDrive and comments for pointing out potential downsides.

[@MickyGonzales-c9h]

I have 2022 AWD turbo and love it. Do a lot of hi way driving. Fast merge and passing. Added portable bed extender that gives me 2 extra feet when needed. Added hitch and can tow my trailer and 5,000 pounds for a camper or boat.

[@19jody72]

We bought a new 2024 night edition.. its the wifes cruck(truck/car) I have to say..Im impressed by it!

[@henryi9738]

That was an excellent review, thank you sir ! 👍

[@EatSleepDrive]

Glad you liked it!

[@paulhunter6489]

I have a 2022 exactly as you recommend and agree 100 percent that is the best package at least for me.

[@JB-fq9dp]

Perfect car/truck for doing weekend yardwork around the house and light duty off-road.

[@wackit6756]

I fell in love with the prototype shown at all the car shows in the 2 door configuration. When it came out I was disappointed. I like quirky vehicles but Hyundai knew this would be the smallest bed offered on a 'Truck', and there was a missed opportunity to make it so that the rear bulk head folds down to add more space for longer items. Seemed like a no brainer. So now there are no attributes I can see. Not great rear interior room, not great gas mileage, not great bed storage, high price, and the bland interior doesn’t reflect the sportiness of the exterior styling. Maybe if they improved on these areas I would consider. (Even the famous Bike test was iffy) 😬

[@EatSleepDrive]

Couldn’t have said it better myself

[@chuckwalla2967]

That's why it doesn't sell well and will disappear in the near future, I predict.

[@na2305]

I agree, the lower trim (SEL) is the better way to go.

[@gabepencea3909]

It is Tucson with open trunk. Please give me more information about the engine ,transmission, warranty

[@slidenineteen4747]

I have a 2024 SEL Activity Package I love it but still gonna buy Colorado ZR2

[@thinklikeido]

Have 2024 Limited. The way the models are sold you can't get features like awd unless you get the higher trim level for more money. Love my Limited!

[@ChessArmyCommander]

How's the sound system quality on the limited? How many watts and how's the BASS?

[@TECHSAVI_1]

This car is perfect

[@profitglen]

Aww snap. I got this in the sel without awd. I hope I don’t realize later I needed that

[@raulsanches3619]

if you're single and you don't use it for farming/work, it's perfect

[@matthewvan6766]

Got it as a in between vehicle after lemon lawing my ram 1500, which by the end of that process truck prices shot up astronomically. got the SEL with the standard 8 to avoid the duel clutch. Had it for 2 years and got 60k miles so far. Hoping to get back into a full size or a taco but the quality has gone way down and really do not want to deal with another lemon. My pet peeze in the santa cruz is the cloth seat are hard af and the screen corner hits my knee when i have to move my seat forward when someone is behind me. Other than that it has been reliable and a smooth ride with a enough bed space to carry my tools and supplies and having the little bed truck i can lock up my power tools.

[@jerryscogins3119]

I picked mine up it gets great mileage I can use it for what I need it to I have a night edition

[@joemiller6209]

What gas mileage are you getting?

[@jerryscogins3119]

@@joemiller6209 I am hitting around 34.8 and 27.3

[@jerryscogins3119]

@@joemiller6209 about 34.8

[@dag681]

I load my MTB upright with tailgate down. Two tie downs. Perfect. I don't get these bikes hanging off the back.

[@High-Overlord-Pugula]

I hear they have a very nice ride

[@scottlowell493]

I test drove a 2024 XRT. It lacks features found on a $30,000 Kona. Problem is? it was $41,000. The santa cruz XRT unfortunately seemed like a $30,000 car bloated to $41,000.

[@danielmiedema5836]

Reminds me of a Subaru brat

[@CNormanHocker]

It looks great; however, the transmission issues need to be fixed before I'd buy one.

[@jamiemayer]

It is a truck, it is titled as a truck if you open the door right at the VIN and even says truck.. The vehicle comes as all-wheel drive automatic front-wheel drive that you can lock into four-wheel drive they do not have two different versions of the vehicle with just front wheel drive. I'm not trying to be disrespectful but you don't know much about this vehicle

[@paulhunter6489]

No. All wheel drive is an option not included in the base model.

[@morstyrannis1951]

I passed one of these on the highway yesterday. I was left wondering what's the use case for this? Who would find this more useful than a SUV with an enclosed cargo area or a small truck with an actual cargo bed? Seems like the first thing a new owner will do is buy a canopy for the bed. It seems a bit pointless to me. But I'm sure they've done their market research and know there are buyers out there.

[@EatSleepDrive]

Niche of a niche. Although I do see a lot in Colorado..

[@Nathdood]

It has the cover that locks, PLUS the trunk underneath. Sometimes you want stuff that you dont want directly in the vehicle. I'm a butcher, and after work I change into regular shoes and toss my work boots in the truck bed after a long day. Believe me, you DO NOT want those in the car with you. I love my santa cruz, plus its very fun to drive and smokes most little FWD cars that wanna race :D

[@cynvision]

As a beekeeper I'm drawn to the design over trying to haul bee boxes in a SUV. I'm looking at one with roof rack bars and could even slap a ladder up there. Just scared to experience the dual clutch problems on the SEL and up trim. Had a Hyundai dealership service desk run the VIN but I'd prefer to see the service records which you just don't get from used car dealership. Salesperson does not know about it or does not want to talk about it. Car drove wonderfully around the block. And yah. You can't tell you're in a truck because you can't see the bed out that back window.

[@USAF_Medic]

Is your windshield cracked in the upper right corner??

[@mrvang8077]

I thought Ive seen it all, but that is by far one of the weirdest,oddball and funkiest vehicle ever. It tries to be a teuck but doesnt have the capability of a real truck and then it tries to be an suv, still just doesn't have the cargo for a family. As for features its more on the low-tech end of the straw.

[@EatSleepDrive]

Definitely an odd ball. I guess some people dig it. But you’re right, an in between in so many ways

[@greggeckert4700]

It is not trying to be a "real" truck. Cargo for a family? Explain? Seats a family of 5 and the bed for gear. Has more tech than any vehicle in its price range.

[@cynvision]

@@greggeckert4700 No adaptive cruise on mid models and no speed limit reminder in the dash. It sort of short changes what I could get in a Camry in upper range.

[@ViralRivers]

Calling this and others a “car-truck thing” sounds like you know what you’re talking about

[@EricPark971]

Best riding car I have tried...but reliability, recalls, constant problems...

[@cynvision]

This thing is like a posh Jeep. I don't know why it's not compared to Jeeps. But Jeep can handle the off-road part so it's like a sissy Jeep. But like a Jeep bed, having one on call comes in handy.

[@kait6204]

Nerds and geeks. Thats what the truck symbolize.

[@ghost50505]

Right on🤓

[@SteveCraig-tn9do]

That’s me 😂😂😂

[@Alpha-uh3cq]

Thank god they don’t sell it in Europe!😂 Ppl buy everything over here!😅 But there we go again another car no body needs…

[@fungustonge]

I'm still learning all the 😍NICITIES.. my udder 🛞s look like a jeep. ☺️, Buck board one day, Sweet quiet Leather Boise speakers.. and yes in a pinch i can carry plywood, ME jeep ☺️ not hardly... my little cruz, that turbo, has it 🏎💨 like a heavly molested 🦍...🤭

[@mikepetrilli4686]

The typically cheap made Hyundai Santa Cruz is rated at 22 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Adding all-wheel drive drops city and highway figures by 1 mpg. The turbocharged version has estimates of 19 mpg city and 27 highway. Compared to the 2024 Ford Maveric with 40 mpg city/33 mpg highway. Even worst the more versatile Ford Ranger gets 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The best in breed 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid gets 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway! The much more versatile full sized RAM 1500 gets 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway! The way bigger GMC Sierra 1500 gets 24 mpg city/29 mpg highway. And both the RAM and Sierra are real trucks! Why in God’s name would anyone buy one of these cheap Hyundai lemons? Must be because of the great record Hyundai has in building engines 🤣🤣

[@solo-sebi]

Ford has the most recalls of any manufacturer there consistently in the Top 5 recalls for OEM’s people really just brain washed to thinking there favorite brands don’t have recalls. Even Honda has more recalls than Hyundai…. Doo some research u sound ignorant to the truth.

[@USAF_Medic]

I can't imagine people who want a small truck care about this. It's new . it's fun and it's a truck/car.

[@mikepetrilli4686]

@@USAF_Medic yeah why would they care about a practical vehicle that's reliable. I guess having a "fun" cheap POS will be fun when you get it towed back to the dealership 😂😂

[@ghost50505]

Progress, don't block your own view.

[@thinklikeido]

Obviously can't afford one, sorry.