Watch This BEFORE Buying a New Hyundai Santa Cruz: Here's Your TFL Expert Buyer's Guide! 

Something I'm realizing in the new car market is that the bare bones base models of most of these vehicles still have more features than I want.

It's kinda cool watching you guys review a car I build everyday at the Hyundai Plant.

"That's not gonna do anything ur just humping my truck" 😂😂😂. Yall have the best job on the planet, keep up the fantastic work gents.

I have a 2023 Sel fwd with the non turbo and I am getting 27 to 30 combined mpg with 50/50 city/ hwy. Love it so far after 1500 miles.

Wow. The one he bought is cheaper but it is way nicer. The dials are so nice, and call me old school, but I really like the mechanical dials for speed and fuel etc. plus a more reliable power train. Just a better buy. Great job Nathan

This video was just what I was looking for. Most people have videos of test driving the top-of-the-line, and I wanted to see an SE or SEL. Thank you so much for posting this!

Just to claify at 20:56, the NIGHT trim (New for 2023) DOES include the 2.5T with the DCT. It is very close to a base SEL in terms of equipment but with the larger engine. 21:20 California Sand is available as an exterior color and reaplced Mojave Sand. They look very close.

Bought a 2022 SEL in July. In August, someone backed out of a parking space beside me and sideswiped me. I am 71 and it's the first new truck I ever owned. Anyway, I love the truck. It's just what my wife and needed.

Wish Subaru would bring back an updated Baja.

After driving the SEL, SEL activity awd, Night , and the SEL premium. I went with the SEL activity AWD. Personally didn’t need the turbo, not to mention the dct was a limiting factor for me. I hit traffic a lot and I plan on occasionally going to the beach, so the dct wouldn’t be the best for me. I average anywhere from 25 to 30 mpg with my heavy foot. Mine came with majority of the SEL premium features, which was a plus.

Like the more basic dash/instrument cluster over the higher end one!

Love the detailed comparison. I really like Nathan's configuration there!

Nathan made the right call skipping the DCT, this Santa Cruz can be quite good off-road with a conventional automatic

Thanks for being my best friends, guys.

Great choice Nathan, IMO it's interior is much nicer than it's competition.

Had 2 but sold one, keeping base plus SEL with AWD to keep the cost low and loving it. Yeah it seeks more power but enough to get the job done. Have done both 5 by 8 and 6 by 12 from uhaul moving and mpg went down to 15 and 12 give and take. My former 5.3 v8 was average 16 and down to 12 to 13 when towing. Either you choose it does its job done. Love both compact and full size.

Nathan, your exterior color-Sage is much better. Yeah, call it a truck, it's so amusing to hear the whiners cry "it's not a truck". The Ridgeline and Maverick are also trucks. Let's hear it guys!

Ive been enjoying my Santa Cruz Limited. Fun, fast, versatile and perfect for my hobbies

The interior is so nice for the money. It makes the Maverick interior look like a Rubbermaid garbage can.

Seems liked Nathan made the right choice for his family. Will be interesting to see how the Santa Cruz is for longevity

I’m glad Nathan is back.

Andre waiting for Nathan to finish talking before closing the hood...

I have been waiting for this video from the day the Santa Cruz came out! Thanks. Off road test next!

As a Ford Maverick owner, I love following this Santa Cruz content!

Nice job Andre and Nathan!

My 2023 Kia Sorento SX Prestige has those cameras on the display when the turn signals are on I love it

Love the new Santa Cruz, Nathan . . . I'll be looking for all the videos about the Sage Gray Green machine!

We Love the Sun roof Heated seats! The self driving mode ! It really works great after you get used to it . Long Trips or no problem! I Love the Paddle Shifters and the Select shift on the stick! We did go through the reprogram for the transmission! But never had a problem with it if the first place

Great video, very informative!

Nathan, I know you need to break in your vehicle properly but an Ike challenge between these two would be epic. Even a lighter tow like 1500lbs with fuel mileage and performance differences would rock! Thanks for the content on these vehicles!

Also, the headlights on the SEL Premium are LED, which is why you see 4 bulbs, and the night edition is turbo.

you guys doing these buyers guide info videos is awesome....im ready to buy new but the prices are just too high...nearing retirement i dont need or want a ten year car loan to keep the price low

Good review!!

Just picked up a 2024 SEL AWD like yours Nathan, Loving it so far..

Nathan wanted a Power Wagon but got the Santa Cruz. LOL

Excellent video 6'2" Andre and 5'10" Nathan.

Trucklet, very apt naming. FCA should cut the back off the Jeep Cherokee, it’d probably look and work better

I love my 22 santa cruz limited. Traded my 21 nissan titan pro 4x in on it earlier in the year when I was going to do more traveling.

I have the sel premium!! Without turbo & have activity pkg . The premium limited has the turn signal camera ! Love my SC !!😊

Now there's a thought, why not do a comparison between these Santa Cruz pickups and the Ford Maverick? Note, back there when Andre was showing us the rear cargo area,..is it NOT dust proof?

It is easy too add a front camera. The brand is TypeS wireless camera that can be use on the front or rear of your vehicle. Have one and love it!

1) I love the dual clutch. Works fine on the farm I live on. 2) The engine is both direct injected and port injected. There are two different types of injectors for each cylinder so you get the best of both worlds.

I had an issue with the DCT in the 2019 Kia Niro and they wouldn't believe me until I brought it in a year later and they had to replace the entire transmission after it rough shifting after every stop.

Would have been awesome if they made a camper shell that was a foot high than the roof line. ❤ 👍 🎯 🤔 😀

I just bought the SEL yesterday, it's perfect for a small family that enjoys comping from time to time. I won't tell you how much I paid because it was a lot less.

Wow I am really glad I got mine when I did! Mine was 31,200 100k warranty is where the price deference is between the ford and Hyundai is I also got lifetime Synthetic Oil changes too. Ford is 3/36 and one first Oil change free.

My wife and I stopped by the local dealer on Saturday to check one out. I set my seating position for a driver at 6’ 1”, 215lbs. My wife is 5’ 6” and her knees were hitting the seat back. Cannot consider this because my teenage boys are closing in on six feet now with room to grow. Still looks like a nice vehicle but it seems to be for 1 or 2 people, not more than that.

I love the look of the truck but my concern is will it hold up or will it just break

Can roof rails be added to the SE base model for kayaks, luggage etc?

I wonder if hyundai will create ultimate versions of all their gasoline cars with some enthusiast appeal, given the switch to electric only just a few years away. Some kind of high power rally-ish santa cruz would be pretty cool

How much payload for the beige one?

8000 miles on mine SEL AWD Activity package and tow package with the roof rack 2.5 non turbo averaging 29 - 30 miles to the gallon. I have the bed extender to get more space in the bed when needed. pulls my 5*8 trailer with no issues. Mine has the all digital dash and no knobs for the info center

The only time I feel the anemia of the non-turbo is if I’m already at a higher RPM/speed and ask it for a bit more. There’s very little in reserve. At lower speeds it can be quite peppy.

I would love to see a off road comparison between the two powertrains in Andre's Pit!

I am so glad I got mine in August of 21. Before the the price Hikes and the Crazy BS . I now have 23k on mine. Its my Swiss Army Knife! It Pulls my 19foot Rockwood RV with no problem anywhere you want to go. I have a Video on you tube showing it.

I like very much watching TFL videos. Anyway, do these cars have fog/driving lights?

Nice job guys

The only reason I would buy a Santa Cruz over a Maverick is for the warranty. Ford really needs to offer a better warranty to compete. Even a 5-year 50K warranty would be a welcome upgrade.

I ordered a Ford Maverick January 2022 and then found the SC and bought it. Good news! Ford just emailed me yesterday to tell me my Maverick is being built next week. Get bent Ford.

Very happy that in Canada they have a lot fewer "packages". We basically have 2...both have the bigger 2.5L engine, and the differences are really just cosmetic and "luxury" features. IMO this makes the buying process easier

Love mine 2in lift 265 60 r18 bf Goodrich Baja champion tires flood lights on hood I get looks all the time

My ‘21 Taco 2.7 hunts for gears even when off. My engine cover says “Husqvarna”.

Dont you have as an option the Dodge Ram 700 and Ram1100?

Thanks guys, great video. I bought a 2023 SEL Premium w/ Hitch and 7Pin wiring. 350 miles on it as of today. I've never had so much fun at the dump. Our two Lectric eBikes fit folded in the bed. We plan to buy a E-Pro 19fds travel trailer soon, the numbers on my spreadsheet look like they add up. I'm thinking about getting a Weigh Safe TTWD-Middleweight when they come out in January (please do a video on it 🙂). My wife and I met in 1969 and have owned several pickups and 2 Rubicon's over the years. Last night we went to an air show and sat on a tailgate for the very first time. So far, we love this pickup... Oh yea, most important my mother-in-law who is 92 had to be able to easily get into the back seat. We call it the BUM-PLOP test. Yea!!

Please do compare the mid size truck that tommy bought. I think that Ford Truck costs the same and will be a good comparison. Also I suggest testing of the 4 wheel drive system.

That SEL is exactly the same truck I plan on buying in the next year or two. I don't want that digital dash or the 10 inch touch screen in the middle...I much prefer the real gauges and buttons on the dash.

I've got a 2023 SEL in the California Sand color. Bought it a week ago here in MN. Dealer also had a Limited in sand on the lot. Looks like it comes in the Sand colorway. You just can't build it for delivery on the Hyundai website.

I have a night edition and it does have the turbo engine

The 20inc wheels are totally useless and more expensive! The 18s give you way more opportunities and options for tire choices too. I Love this little Truck and I have had many. This little Swiss Army Knife is the Mustang of my Youth! Not Kidding and people just keep talking to Us about this Truck. Mostly People my age in our 60s and 70s . Our Kids and Grandchildren Say it Kool Pop Pop ! The interior looks like the Star Ship Enterprise! I am the captain! But ! It's a dust collector keep a nice Dust Cloth in the door or console with you all the time. But its so worth it. Really! I should be selling them or at least a few bucks from Hyundai. I hope they come out with a Yellow and Black Model! I am a long time Hot Rod guy for years and it's my Favorite. But this Stone Blue is Beautiful too. I have Black Flames Ordered for the Sides of it and a Black Simigloss Hood black out!

Can u change out the grill for a black one like on the Night. That is so cool w/the black grill, blk wheels & black truck?

Can you elaborate on why the 8 spd non turbo is more suitable for off-road purposes than the DCT version?

We bought a 2023 Santa Cruz SEL in November. Love it BUT the passenger seat isn't electric. Since I'm 5'1" I have to sit on a cushion. The driver's seat is power, I think they should both be electric. Another issue is there's no built-in compass. Tough for the directionally challenged LOL One more issue, I have to buy an after market rear view mirror to link it with our garage door opener. I still love ❤️ it and praying it lasts as long as our 2005 Jeep Liberty which currently has over 200,000mi plus has a compass and link to garage door opener (but no safety measures like the Hyundai).

Do you guys still reccommend the Santa Cruz over Ford's Maverick?

Curious about upgrades to the SEL. I got the same model. Love lil Truck. Have the weather tech mats let them hold dirt for days. Feels trucky

This was very helpful. I’ve heard a lot of bad things about the dual clutch transmission, and the HP transmission is a lot better in the lower powered vehicle. I am looking to get one. Because Toyota is taking too long to come out with their small truck Toyota stout.

I like the split rear seats, the Maverick has pre-wired circuits on each side of the bed to help with DIY projects like lights, compressors, or inverters. I hate all the Piano Black Kia and Hyundai uses on their interiors, instantly looks like crap because of dust and smears.

suitcase test and tote test maybe a light towing

I have the SEL Premium turbo with activity package. August of 22. Got 28 k now. Pull my 5x 10 utility trailer and my 19 foot Rock Wood Camper with no problems at all ! I got the K&K filter and cut the muffler off and added twin stainless steel pipe. I paid 31,200 MSRP price. My Dealer doesn't Mark up anything like other dealers . I Love my activity package! I wish I had the hood over the speed screen

I'm very curious as to regular everyday interstate driving on the lower sel model? Non Turbo. How long does it take to get to 70/75 mph? If I'm cruising at 75 and have to pass a truck quickly can I? Or is it very sluggish trying to pass someone with a burst of speed?

Oh yeah! The 18inch Tires are more better and Go on the Beach Better! I am getting more aggressive Tires next time.

Jane's Addiction. Excellent. Enough said.

You can change the tune lol and the Color scheme of the dash. I have mine in Torquios

Got the sel. Main one was the analog dash and that statement about it rubbing on leg. Didn’t like the cover either. And I need a mule to work around my 20 acres. Fraking kills does everything I need it to do and pulls my boat. Starting to love lil truck.

Dual Clutch transmission for a mini truck, not even CVT? Just one question why????

man i go for the 8 speed auto every day over the more expensive one

According to their website nite comes in turbo awd only

Need to have more interior color options other then black.

A question for Nathan: What kind of fuel do you get? 85 or 87? Thanks!

How tall are you guys? I'm looking at the Santa Cruz as my next vehicle but haven't gotten to a dealership yet.

I am waiting for the Toyota or Nissan version of the Maverick and Santa Cruz

How does these compare to a Tacoma crew cab SR 2.7L? The run about the same price.

I miss the Subaru Baja

2023 Limited is $41,615 including destination.

Only the Most expensive gas the cameras and 360 View. After the first Oil change it will get better. Even better with the KN filter. And better if you take the huge resonator off. The K&N eliminates the turbo lag Completely! Seriously! Awesome! Amazon has it for $65 bucks. Well worth it.

Excellent fully comprehensive overview. Great job. You too Casey, great video filming! Loved the Yiddish comments. "You are dead to me, rip my clothes". ROTFLMAO

SEL Premium also got LEDs lights everywhere

You can actually buy an aftermarket wireless charging pad and hook it on the usb charger port.

What is your payment note?

I bought a 22 Santa Fe with the 191 hp motor , my mom has a 21 murano and my car is way more fast than the murano, the murano literally feels so heavy and slow compared to the Santa Fe , yet it had almost 70 more hp

Night does come with the 2.5 turbo