Hyundai entered the pickup truck game with the Santa Cruz line, and we are getting a fresh off the factory line 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. It is going up against some big names like Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, and Chevy Colorado, which have been tried and tested as working pickup manufacturers. But according to reports, Santa Cruz is going to put up a good fight.
The price will be very competitive and people won’t be able to simply disregard this truck. The Korean manufacturer is making some big splashes with the redesign of their flagship truck. There are also rumors about a hybrid version and an all-electric truck. This would be an amazing addition since most car makers want to go green as soon as possible. Since there was a remodel recently we aren’t expecting Hyundai to completely rebuild Santa Cruz from scratch.
Nevertheless, 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz should sport some minor improvements when it comes to the overall style, driveability, utility, and fuel economy. Read along to find out more about the upcoming Santa Cruz overhaul.
Interior
Some people will surely recognize the source of inspiration for the cabin of 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The whole truck itself is sitting somewhere between a truck and an SUV. And we can recognize the influence of its sibling SUV Tucson when we take a look at a cabin. Traditionally, SUVs have amazing-looking interiors. This is due to the fact that they aren’t built in order to be put to work. SUVs are meant to be driven with style and enjoyment.
So Hyundai used the already amazing basis for a good interior. We see that there is leather upholstery. Hopefully, it is high quality and we get some contrast stitching in order to prevent tears. Although the interior looks fairly basic it is quite comfortable for a midsize truck. We are not sure about the heated and ventilated seats but it would be a great idea to equip the truck with those. This can make even the bumpiest rides seem like a breeze.
Plus it is something that is almost a standard among vehicles nowadays. There are plastic and metal accents along with the cabin, mainly the dashboard. The steering wheel is padded with soft felt plastic and leather. There is a 10-inch infotainment system. Everything should be controlled from here and we also get GPS navigation built-in. This is excellent since not all cars give it away for free. The cabin is spacious enough for five people to sit comfortably with plenty of legroom and headroom. There is a need for driver aid software. Artificial intelligence can save lives in dangerous situations on the road. We already saw many manufacturers put similar systems in their trucks. We heard through the grapevine that there will be four trim offerings.
Nothing is official when it comes to the amenities that come in certain trims. So we’ll just have to wait and see. We do know for a fact that there will be cameras in blind spots and the truck has cyclist detection. This comes along with an automatic emergency braking system when it spots pedestrians.
Exterior
We spotted only but a few changes when compared to the 2022 model year. The new 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is sporting a meaner and more aggressive attitude on and off the road. Less blocky design and more curves make this truck look futuristic and aerodynamic. A trend we saw in most redesigns recently and we might say it looks mighty well. There are a lot of alternative material accents on the outside.
The wheel and front grille look brand new with some aluminum accents. This is done to shave off weight. Something that is always welcomed in gargantuan trucks that need to haul and tow a lot of weight. The hood of the truck is also redesigned to be more aerodynamic and press the truck to the ground. The bed of the truck is among the smallest in the class but still enough to haul some big furniture.
Taillights and headlights are redesigned. They are using top-of-the-line LED technology to increase visibility and safety. Front and back bumpers look sturdier on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz when compared to the previous model year. We are still not sure about color choices but hopefully, there are plenty. There are rumors about the N line of the Santa Cruz. This means a different front fascia, some other minor tweaks to the exterior. More amenities on the inside, for example, a bigger touchscreen. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz N line should look sportier according to officials.
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Engine Options
We heard about two possible powertrain options so far. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a basic 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine powered by gasoline. It boasts around 190 horsepower and 180-pound feet of torque. Which doesn’t sound a lot but rest assured it is more than enough to make it roar. This same engine can be equipped with a turbocharger that ups the horsepower to 275 horsepower. Not too shabby.
Both of these engines come with 8-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine can have a dual-clutch system which is very popular nowadays. All-wheel drive is available, we should mention that its fuel economy is among the best in class. It can do 23 miles per gallon and 22 miles per gallon with the combined engine. Officials at Hyundai said there will be an electric or hybrid version of the powertrain. Perhaps not right away but it is something they strive for.
There is a big demand for electric vehicles and Hyundai is looking to deliver. They might borrow technology from Tucson, the electric motor in this SUV can go 33 miles on pure electric charge.
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Release Date and Price
We expect the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz to become available late in 2022. This is due to change because of the pandemic raging which is known to push due dates further along the line. Starting price is around $ 27.000 and it can go up to $ 40.000 with all the goodies.
I want a V-6 hybrid with 325 lbs of torque,