joe the interior infotainment and lack of gloss black and touch screen controls has made this car a major contender for me. wow what a major improvement.
I have the 2023 Santa Cruz Limited and absolutely LOVE the new updates. Gorgeous and so fun to drive. I accidentally took mine off-road after GPS rerouted me due to an accident and ended up in the forest on a forest ranger track plowing through 6" of sugar sand. Locked the diff and this little truck went through like it was nothing. So impressive. 😍
This vehicle design can narrow down a clutter of options ranging from pickups, crossovers, and compact vehicle. Its really overlooked imo and this redesign is leaps ahead over last gen. I love it
Man, I don’t usually comment, but this car looks stunning. I could see it being perfect for young couples who enjoy road trips but also want something more flashy and futuristic-kind of like a compact version of the Rivian R1T
I had a stinger and now have a kona n--I have never had any maintnence problems with any of them and took the stinger to public drag several times.The only unscheduled repair was a software update on the konas dct and they ubered me to olive garden then ubered me back after it was done--less then 1 hour.I ebike now and this might be my next vehicle so I can take my bike and goto remote areas.The only cars that have problems from kia/hyundai are lower level base models and that is common with any brand.The owners manual even says tha the Kona N keeps its warranty even if you track the car.
@@drumanaut who builds america? Men in trucks! They tow boats and campers on the weekend... yes it's more than your 1%... trucks are the #1 selling vehicle....
@@atg1338 bro went from one comment to another giving more attention to the video. funny how you also go from "Last time i checked i'm free to look at whatever i want and say whatever i want." to telling others to stop thinking. make up your mind with your views, you loser.
My biggest problem with my 2022 Santa Cruz is that they need to get rid of the dual-clutch and a better all-wheel-drive system that will lock up the wheels in the mud, and a much better hill-decent system also I really wanted to see better brakes, my Santa Cruz did not have trailer brakes which Ford had that for the Maverick with 5000LBS of towing your brakes better be in tip top shape to stop, this XRT is really no different then my truck, I still love mine and it does more then you think of a full-size truck.
I know. I use my fog lights all the time on my 2010 HHR all the time in the Georgia mountains. They are a must have there. I have not seen a vehicle in all these years that I would like as much as my HHR (which is still running fantastic, btw.), until this one and this new 2025 upgrade. I think I might finally buy a new vehicle, but I would defintely want the fog lights.
Love the new updates! No more touch sensative buttons and the new infotainment is really nice. Only thing I'm still waiting on is for them to make a hybrid version. That's the only leg up that the maverick has FOR ME
Canyon Red unless something has changed. The Santa Cruz looks bolder than before, with a new front end that puts it in line with the refreshed 2025 Tucson SUV on which it's based. There are also flashy new wheel designs. Two new paint colors are offered (Rockwood Green and Canyon Red) along with a new Medium Gray hue for the seats.
I like the orange and black (they play off each other) but the Santa Cruz is built more like a stubby ElCamino or Ranchero than a pickup truck and those didn't sell very well either and neither is the Santa Cruz. Ford Maverick sales for 2023 were around 95,000 , Santa Cruz sales were barely over 20,000 for 2023. The price at $43k doesn't scream 'value'.
I guarantee the Santa Cruz comes with more standardfeatures than the Maverick, plus that 10yr/ 100k power train warranty makes it a no Brainerd over the Maverick...so yes...value added!
2023 HSC owner. 2.5 NA SEL trim. I really love the truck and use it to it's full capacity. I threw roof rails on for kayaks, haul trailers and generally have a blast with it. This seems improved, yes, but I've heard varying opinions of the Turbo paired with the 8 speed DCT - not all good. There may not be enough different for me to jump into a new model. However, if Hyundai keeps this up, they're going to be converting a lot of truck fans to the Sport Adventure Vehicle side.
I just wish they gave you a choice of interior color other than black. They fixed all of the short comings of the last model...physical buttons, all in one infotainment and instrument cluster, air vents in the back seat and an armrest in the back. I would have liked to see then get rid on the console transmission shifter. Overall, this is high on the list now.
I agree. There was a medium to dark gray prior but none of the great lighter interiors that I prefer. I have a 2022 Tucson, now and although they are the same platform the Tucson has a wider range of interior choices.
Vehicles 'sold' Ford Maverick; 240,000 (projected to pass 100,000 units for 2024) Hyundai Santa Cruz; 92,000 (projected to maintain current numbers 25,000 to 30,000 for 2024) Like you mentioned the Santa Cruz is basically a Tucson without a trunk lid.
Joe, when I was car shopping back in 2021, your review on the Hyundai Kona sold me on it. Now here I am 3 years later looking to change for some towing and a little off road capability. Looks like you may have done it again. Better call Hyundai for your cut of the commission!
Was looking to get a Ridgeline but since there is a stop sale on them for months, I started to look at the Santa Cruz but sure seems like the DCT is a huge problem. Maybe the DCT issues are overblown?
Was hoping for a midgate with this model. Would have been great since the bed is so small that you could open it up into the inside of the car. Glad they added AC vents, USB ports and an arm rest to the back are enough. That’s great. But still wish for the midgate.
We are currently looking to go down from a 3 car family to a 2 car (my wife and I to share and our daughter will take our 2016 CRV). I was looking at the Santa Cruz because we do a lot of gardening and like having a truck bed, but what is almost a deal breaker is no auto adjust on the driver seat. I think I would be willing to pay the 6K more for the Ridgeline to get that feature.
The color from my research is Canyon Red. My brother said it looks red in person as he has already seen it. Maybe the lighting makes it look orange or maybe its a blend of orange and red. But I just did a google search and can't find anything that says they are making a Blaze Orange. If I am wrong please let me know.
@@trinubisataurus Same , Blue/Grey interior. I actually ordered a Maverick a week after they were unveiled , waited months and got tired of it. Investigate Santa Cruzes more closely and got my deposit back from Ford. A much nicer vehicle imho. A keeper.
You mention controlling the DCT in both the aspirated 2.5L and turbo 2.5L. The aspirated 2.5L has used a normal 8 speed not a 8 speed DTC has this changed for 2025?
The only issue is the roll up tonneau cover. They can freeze up in cold weather, and they gobble up bed space. Sold mine and installed a soft roll up cover that has worked well. It is good they got rid of the dual clutch tranny. I have to say, my 2.5 naturally aspirated SC runs just fine, and it will tow 5000LBS as well. Would love to see this truck in a candy lime.
Thank you Hyundai for the updated steering wheel, big instrument cluster and rear arm rest. Question is the spare tire still doughnut or full size tire as xrt is biult for offroad?
I'm not a car or truck girl and I've always driven a Volkswagen sedan of some sort. I usually don't notice cars, tbh, BUT I have been thinking about a crossover for my next vehicle for additional storage space. I NOTICED this online tonight. *This* will be my next new car.
42k for this tiny truck.Yikes. The car companies have lost touch with the entry level customer. A sad state of affairs; new car purchasing is moving out of reach of a significant percentage of the population. The car business will continue to shrink as a percentage of the population. We have 30 million more people in the USA, yet car sales are about the same.
Test drove both today. I'm waiting on the 2025 models for both to decide, but so far, I'm leaning more towards the Maverick. It feels roomier for the kiddos in the back, and I dig the hybrid option.
Had been waiting for this truck for so many years. I ended up caving in 2018 and got a Sante Fe Sport. It's my 3rd Hyundai, big fan. Looking at a 2024 Sonata now, since it will be gone next year. The N Line does 0-60 in about 5 seconds. Nice. Let me tell you, I built a wooden fence for our animals and easily got fifteen 6.5 ft posts in my Santa Fe. Then got about twenty 8 & 10 ft boards in, with the back closed. Definitely cannot do this with the Santa Cruz unless it has roof racks. I am also a big fan of the huge panoramic roof on my Santa Fe. Since they put one on the small Veloster and the 2013 Elantra GT Hatchback (which I had), and Tucson also, why not on the Santa Cruz? At least put a one panel wider one like they are just doing now on the Kona. And why only black seats in many of the Hyundais now? At least put a stripe or some colorful piping on them. LOL I know, minor things. Hopefully they also come out with a hybrid to compete with Ford Maverick.
Have loved this since they announce it!! But i would like to different options for the bed cover. Since it is a smaller bed you do lose some space with storage component when its closed up. Other than that beautiful truck.
still the dct and tow harness issue hasn't been resolved yet ,,, my most ultimate xrt upgrade would have been swap able back seats ,,, to more of a tucson back seats that recline a bit ,,, and fold down not up, have the back seats fold down and the mid gate also fold down or back would be more versatile. also like the idea of front fog lights and a memory setting for electric adjust from seats passenger side as well as the front drivers . a flip top moon roof like in the (jeep rubicons) would have made more sense too. one that can flip back into side quarter panels. still not enough room storage compartments for the front and back seats . when paying upwards of 50 000.00 grand and always being asked if i have an appointment with recall notice in hand,,,, not to metion no loaner cars for when yours is in repair for a day or longer,(LOTS OF RECALLS HAPPENING),,, strikes me as a company cutting corners to not assist the customer needs when having a big purchase or ready to compensate for wasted time.,,, after almost buying another hyundai i had to sit thew a hour long of we prefer your purchase to have,,,,, extended warranty , rust proofing ??? and glass etched vin numbers with extra paint coverage???? after all that i had one simple request...... with recalls of any kind , i need to have a vehicle not rent a u-hall cause i have nothing to drive.... i need to have a loaner vehicle with drop off to have repairs on recalls. again i waited over an hour for this answer , to be told , no more loaners of equal vehicles or a step up genises better ? why not promote what you have and let a faithful buyer maybe drive something else to think about for in the future . i walk out and that was the deal breaker ,,,, waste my time , and not looking after the customer needs ,,,, isn't that how you sell anything let alone cars and vehicles . for this i will reconsider if my needs are addressed ,,, but for right now all 5 hyundias are for sale that we purchased plus people who we reffered too were truly not happy with their vehicle purchases. When a dealer says well, ford has uber rides and nissan does shuttles only weekends ,,, i dont shop somewhere to here someone talk about what thier competition is doing ,,,, im here for what they are doing or choose not to do now. otherwise i shop some wheres else .
Drop down tailgates offer you a little more haul length though because you can actually use the tailgate with ratchet straps to hold the end up of a longer object.
The dual clutch transmission seems to be a nightmare for many, no? Wish turbo charged engine was possible with a regular transmission, but I’m not a car guy, so maybe that’s silly?
