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Photos courtesy of Hyundai
Hyundai’s Crossover Truck Concept
Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept
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Photos courtesy of Hyundai
Hyundai’s Crossover Truck Concept
While it may not look it, this is a four-door with five seats. But really, call it two.
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Photos courtesy of Hyundai
Hyundai’s Crossover Truck Concept
When carrying larger cargo, the tailgate will slide a compartment farther out to match the bed size of a mid-sized truck.
Story & photos by Budd Stanley, additional photos courtesy of Hyundai
The Korean Concept - Hyundai’s vision of a future pickup
With all the testosterone filled off-road inspired offerings overflowing the Cobo Hall during the North American International Auto Show, there was also a concept that nearly caught me off guard. Seeing a futuristic SUV-like shape hiding under a sheet over in the Hyundai booth, I brushed the concept off as just another boring crossover brick to place in an already massive CUV wall. However, as I strolled in after the sheets had already been pulled, I was quite amazed at what I stumbled upon.
We knew that Hyundai were tossing around the idea of building a pickup for the North American market, but I was still taken by surprise when I first laid eye’s on a Hyundai concept that featured an open bed. However, that is just what we have here, dubbed the Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept, this could be a sign that the Korean’s might jump into the small truck segment that is hotting up as of late.
Hyundai make no bones about it, they are not after the blue-collar domestic truck-loving crowd, rather aiming at the city dwelling millennial that is just starting to purchase new vehicles. As such, the Santa Cruz is not as rugged as we are used to, featuring a unibody chassis and Hyundai’s HTRAC All-Wheel-Drive system rather than a proper selectable 4WD drivetrain. The trucks size is comparable to that of a small CUV to make it nimble and maneuverable in urban environments. Four doors help seat five people, not so comfortably in the rear we are thinking as the rear doors are rather small and hinged at the rear
Despite the watered down internals, we must admit we kind of like the futuristic styling and Hyundai have included some very cool features. The rear tailgate is fitted with extensions to increase the cargo carrying capacity to that of a mid-size pickup, making it capable of carrying a motorcycle. Lockable storage compartments also adorn the truck bed as well as a lockable integrated tonneau cover that retracts when not needed.
When it came to powering the Santa Cruz, efficiency was key to Hyundai’s plans, making use of an environmentally friendly 2.0L turbo diesel engine producing 190 hp and an impressive 300 lb-ft.
Will the Santa Cruz become reality? Not likely, but we love that Hyundai are taking a serious look at the truck market. Even a small investment in a concept vehicle doesn’t make much sense unless there have been some real talks behind the scenes to actually make a run with a new model. Whether you like it or hate it, a little more competition is always a good thing and we really do miss those small trucks we used to drive back in the 90’s. Make it happen Hyundai.