Hyundai Santa Cruz
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Avondale, AZ
MSRP
$25,700
MPG
22 City
27 Highway
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Review | Compact Midsize Truck
When it comes to midsize trucks, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is an original in many ways. Yet it has claimed plenty of good reviews and public interest in its first model year.
For this second model year, shoppers can expect Hyundai to continue the truck’s emphasis on unique attributes, interesting design, and sport handling. Extensive utility features and the latest technologies are essential to the truck’s modern appeal.
Still, how does this Hyundai truck fit your lifestyle? This in-depth review seeks to give you the more important details about this unique midsize pickup.
Unique Personality
In the midsize truck market, there’s a certain emphasis on personality. This is first place the 2023 Santa Cruz really hits the mark. It dares to be different. Funky styling cues make it young and fresh. There’s no mistaking its curb appeal.
New colors have arrived, including a polished Atlas White and a sleek California Sand. Most models feature handsome brightwork to dress up the grille. Recognizing that some shoppers appreciate a more aggressive look, the Santa Cruz Night edition is available. On this truck, the grille is darkened to match other blacked-out aspects.
Versatile Bed Features
Utility and versatility are definite requirements for a pickup truck. Following a modern aesthetic to its logical conclusion, the bed is made with composite. This contemporary material is easy to form into the best shape. It is lighter weight than stamped steel, which could rust.
The material allows designers to provide compartments for organization. The biggest is an in-bed trunk with a drain. This weather-proof compartment may be used as a cooler one afternoon and as a place for muddy boots the next. It can certainly store gear for weekend trips.
As designers shaped the bed, they were intentional about making it like a toolkit for haulers and adventure seekers. An adjustable cleat system has useful tie-down spots to keep bikes, kayaks and other big equipment in place. You can attach an available tent with the precut tabs.
For hauling, the tailgate can lie flat to make the hauling area longer. In addition, Hyundai has designed it so that the driver can alter the tailgate height to match the wheel well height. This allows users to maximize the greatest width. Our staff would be happy to demonstrate all of the bed features when you visit for a test drive. Schedule a day and time convenient for you.
Performance and Towing Capacity
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz generally weighs 4,100 pounds, making it a lightweight in the pickup truck world. This means that the power-to-weight ratio is better. The engineers have made sure that this pickup is fun to drive.
With the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, the Santa Cruz SE driver commands 191 horsepower. The torque rate is good at 181 lb-ft. All-wheel drive is available with the base engine while the more fuel efficient front-wheel drive is standard. With help from trailer sway control, this truck manages a 3,500-pound towing capacity.
When you step up to the Santa Cruz SEL Premium, you command 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That output would be good with a larger midsize truck, and it is excellent with this lightweight, smaller pickup. Paired with a dual clutch automatic, this engine helps this tough midsize truck tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Advanced Capability and Ground Clearance
Offering 8.6 inches of ground clearance, the Santa Cruz has more clearance than many SUVs. In fact, it has almost an inch more than the 2023 Honda Ridgeline, a rival midsize pickup.
The Hyundai pickup has great handling thanks to the car-like build with a stiffer structure. Self-leveling dampers assist the multi-link suspension. This is especially important when the bed is empty as it often is.
Trim Levels
With 104 cu ft of wiggle room, the Santa Cruz offers a cabin as roomy as a compact SUV. A low-profile dash provides good visibility. This design cue is part of a clean, uncluttered look that adds to the feeling of spaciousness. Even the sizable touchscreen appears tucked into the dash. An acoustic windshield blocks noise to keep the cabin quieter.
A power-adjustable chair adds comfort for the SEL driver. Other standards include the heated front seats and push button start. The SEL Activity package adds even more amenities such as a digital instrument panel and a wireless charger.
SEL Premium has these features and adds a sunroof, a sliding rear window, and dual zone automatic climate controls. The driver commands the more powerful turbo engine. Adaptive cruise control is informed by navigation, a class-exclusive feature. Bed features include LED lighting and a lockable tonneau cover.
Ready for date night, the Santa Cruz Limited has rich leather upholstery and ventilated front seats. You can set the mood with a Bose premium audio system. Drivers will appreciate the help of a 360-degree camera system. As in all models, rear seats fold up to provide interior storage area, easily accessed by either rear door.
Dash Tech
A standard 8-inch touchscreen starts you off with important connectivity, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This may be upgraded to a 10.3-inch high-resolution touch screen.
When equipped with a full digital gauge cluster, this truck leads its class as the only midsize with this feature. A 10.3-inch touch display is an advanced high-resolution system with built-in navigation. In another class first, the GPS actually interfaces with adaptive cruise control to anticipate changes in road pitch and angle.
Blue Link provides apps that can remotely start or lock the vehicle. It also adds Amazon Alexa connectivity. Santa Cruz loans and leases are available through Earnhardt Hyundai in Avondale, serving Phoenix AZ drivers.
Driver Assistance
As a new model, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered an emergency autobrake that could be triggered by either a forward collision warning or a pedestrian detection device. It also included the lane departure warning and its counterpart, a lane keeping assist.
The IIHS gave these systems its superior rating, and it named the 2022 Santa Cruz as a Top Safety Pick with specific headlights. SEL Premium and Limited trims have these LED project headlights with automatic high beam assist.
For 2023, Hyundai has added two more standard systems to its midsize truck. Now there is a blind spot monitor watching for traffic alongside. Likewise there is a rear cross traffic alert, a natural partner to the rearview camera.
Another new standard is the safe exit assist. This isn’t available on rivals such as the Ford Maverick. It helps protect passengers from accidentally stepping out when a vehicle’s approach is too close for safety. This is especially important when children are on board.
You can check out this truck in our inventory. Please call, use our online chat or stop by for a closer look at this exciting Hyundai midsize truck.
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