Hyundai has gained popularity from its amazing lineup. That’s what makes the mid-size Hyundai Santa Cruz truck stand out in a crowd.

This auto manufacturer hasn’t had a pickup truck come off the line before, so this is a momentous occasion.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz is a mid-size pickup truck that is a perfect option for someone who needs the capability of a pickup combined with the reliability of a Hyundai. On top of being durable and powerful, the Santa Cruz still comes with Hyundai’s all-encompassing warranty.

One of the defining characteristics of this pickup truck is that it uses a unibody construction. Most modern trucks use a body-on-frame build. The difference is that the Santa Cruz is more closely related to the Tucson SUV than anything else. Having a frame as you find on an SUV or car provides a smoother ride, even if it doesn’t have the same maximum towing or hauling numbers that you find in other mid-size options.

Hyundai is calling the Santa Cruz is sport adventure vehicle (SAV). If this categorization sticks, it will make a new class of vehicles.

Potent Power in the Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Hyundai Santa Cruz comes with two engine options. The first is a 2.5-liter engine that pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This base-level engine produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque.

You can also opt for a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that works with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. With this beast under the hood, you’ll enjoy 281 ho and 311 lb-ft of torque.

When properly equipped, your Santa Cruz can tow up to 5,000 pounds and handle a max payload of 1,748 pounds.

Impressive Fuel Economy

While pickup trucks, in general, don’t tend to put up great fuel economy numbers, the Santa Cruz is going to turn heads. Trucks tend to lack the aerodynamic design to match the fuel efficiency of a sedan or SUV.

The EPA finally released its estimated numbers. The Santa Cruz is set to earn 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for a combined 22 mpg. Rumor has it that even better numbers are coming with the other engine.

It does appear that the all-wheel-drive version of the Santa Cruz has a slightly better economy rating, which is not often the case. The difference is pretty small, but it might just be the justification you need to upgrade.

More Than An SUV With A Bed

Sure, the Hyundai Santa Cruz may be related to the Tucson, but it’s more than just an SUV with a bed. Of course, the bed does make a nice addition. Hyundai uses a composite-modeled material to make its 4.3-footbed.

Along with a durable bed, you can enjoy things like a remote-activated opening, a sliding bed divider, a retractable/locking tonneau cover, and more.

Reserve Your Hyundai Santa Cruz Today

If you want to be the first person to bring home a Hyundai Santa Cruz, make sure you reserve one today. You can just visit your local Hyundai dealer and make a few decisions upfront: color, trim, engine, etc. Then you put $100 down, and your dealer will take it from there.