Right now, Hyundai is hard at work creating its first truck for American audiences: the Santa Cruz. The new pickup should debut soon, and arrive later this year as a 2022 model year vehicle. We’ve seen it in concept form (pictured here and in other parts of the gallery), we’ve seen it testing under camouflage and Hyundai just offered a few more teaser images. But hard information about the Santa Cruz has been a bit more tightly sealed than, say, some of Ford’s recent releases.
Still, we’re not operating in a complete information vacuum; we’ve managed to pull together some pieces of the puzzle. Here’s what you should know about the new Hyundai pickup truck.
What is the Hyundai Santa Cruz?
HyundaiHyundai is pitching the Santa Cruz as a segment-redefining crossover truck — and they aren’t shying away from the term crossover. It should use a unibody platform. It may classify as a true compact. Think of it as a less dumpy-looking Honda Ridgeline, or a more truck-like Subaru Baja.
What will Santa Cruz’s exterior look like?
HyundaiIt should look pretty darn cool. Hyundai appears to be keeping a lot of the initial concept’s suaveness while stretching it into a proper four-door vehicle. Hyundai’s teaser sketches show the front looks a lot like the new Tucson, with lighting embedded within an expansive grille.
