Few vehicles on the road are quite as unique as the Hyundai Santa Cruz. From the looks, to the capabilities, to the performance and tech offerings, it is impossible to slot it into a specific category. Hyundai gets it right when they say it's a Sports Adventure Vehicle. So what makes the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz such a great vehicle for the driver with adventure in their veins?
Performance Features
The inline four-cylinder engine under the hood of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes in two flavors - turbocharged or naturally aspirated. The base naturally-aspirated engine brings 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque to the table, adequate power that will do fine around town and can cruise along, but it's not enthusiastic. Available with front- or all-wheel drive, and paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it's adequate all around. At the pumps, the Santa Cruz gets 22 MPG city and 26 MPG highway with front-wheel drive, dropping to 21 MPG city and 25 MPG highway with all-wheel drive.
Stepping up to the turbocharged engine also brings standard all-wheel drive. This power plant puts 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque on tap, and makes the Canta Cruz peppy and dynamic. Fuel economy drops slightly, to 19 MPG city and 27 MPG highway, and this engine is only available paired with all-wheel drive. With the available trailer brake system, this compact truck can tow a respectable 5,000 pounds.
Style and Technology
The look of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz might have people saying it's not a "real truck," but it also provides a unique appearance. A low, swooping hood and a futuristic front fascia makes it sporty up front, blending into what looks like the front end of an SUV. Angular sheet metal transitions to a 4-foot pickup bed, which features an in-bed lockable trunk and an available tonneau cover.
Inside the four-door crew cab, the Santa Cruz offers seating for five, with sharp, modern surrounds. High-quality materials and soft touch points make it welcoming, and the seating is roomy - even the second-row seats offer 36.5 inches of leg room and 39.6 inches of head room. Simple, clean cloth upholstery is standard, with available upgraded materials.
Smart tech is used throughout, with an 8-inch touchscreen display standard as the heart of the infotainment, featuring standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and HD Radio technology, Bluetooth hands-free phone and streaming audio. This can be upgraded to a 10.25-inch version with navigation. Front-row dual USB ports are provided for media and charging, with additional second-row dual USB ports available.
Safety
Hyundai SmartSense is one of the most advanced driver assistance suites outside of luxury vehicles, and it is standard on every 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. This suite features blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitoring, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and LED headlights with automatic high beams. A rearview camera is also standard, with an available surround-view parking camera and a blind-spot camera. On top of this, innovative features like Safe Exit Assist and Rear Occupant Alert are standard and helpful for passengers. All of this has helped the Santa Cruz earn the Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.
Trim Levels
Hyundai makes it pretty easy to find the right options, with five trim levels available on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
The entry-level SE model features all the above standards, wrapped in stain-resistant cloth upholstery. The driver's seat is six-way manually adjustable, and the trim features power accessories. The remote-release, multi-functional tailgate, sidewall bed storage compartments, and integrated rear bumper steps help you take full advantage of the flexibility of the Santa Cruz's bed. The SE trim sits on 18-inch alloy wheels, and is available with front or all-wheel drive.
Sitting on the same powertrain, the SEL trim is a great trim for most drivers. Proximity key with push button start as well as remote start makes it easy to get the SEL trim going, and you can pre-heat or pre-cool it for comfort ahead of time! The driver seat is upgraded to 8-way power adjustability with power lumbar support, and both front seats get heating. Outside, heated side mirrors are provided, and the available Activity Package option adds bed lighting, a 115V AC power inverter in the bed, a conventional sunroof, and roof side rails. This package also adds Qi-compatible wireless device charging.
Night trim Santa Cruz models get premium dark-look exterior trim, including dark chrome bumper trim, grille accents, dark 20-inch wheels, and dark front and rear fascias. Premium LED daytime running lights are also included. The Night trim gets all of the options featured in the Activity Package as standard. This trim, and all trims above it, are only available with the all-wheel drive turbocharged powertrain.
Stepping up to the SEL Premium trim builds on the SEL trim, and features all the Activity package options as standard. Hyundai Digital Key is standard, as is dual automatic climate control and Multi-Air Mode with Capacitive Touch HVAC controls. The steering wheel and shift knob are wrapped in leather, adding a touch of luxury. The big upgrade is the 10.25-inch touchscreen featuring navigation and Dynamic Voice Recognition. Smart Cruise Control is provided at this trim level as well.
At the top of the trim line is the Limited trim, sitting on 20-inch alloy wheels. Outside, dark chrome bumper trim and accent grille add luxury touches without going the full dark trim mode. Inside, luxury touches include 64-color ambient interior lighting and leather-trimmed seating surfaces. Tech add-ons include second-row dual USB ports, while an 8-speaker Bose Premium Audio System is standard for great sound. Safety upgrades at this level includes Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Highway Driving Assist.
This unique package is a great fit for the adventurer, the commuter, or the driver just looking for a highly flexible offering.
