My focus was to see the practicality of this SUV with a "pickup" bed.
First off, thank you to Hyundai USA for the access and the team at DriveShop NYC for the service, prompt delivery and pickup.
My vehicle came in the California Sand color, reminiscent of a muted tan or a camel color if you are thinking sport coats.
The vehicle looks good, I would even say striking. I don't see many of these on the road and I find that appealing. The angles, lines, lighting, wheel design and color works very well.
The Santa Cruz appears to sit a bit higher than other SUV's of this size and I noticed this while driving. The view is more open and clear, ALL GOOD! Additionally the ergonomics to enter and exit the vehicle does not give this impression.
In the cockpit everything feels comfortable and where it should be. Good ease of use and preparing to drive was a pleasure. All of the typical amenities you would expect in a 2024 vehicle are here. Technology including apps, maps and entertainment center are very user friendly and easy to navigate.
A big highlight for me was the safety features including the lane assist and parking camera's!
Seating surfaces are firm but comfortable. Leg room was fine for riders 6' and under in the front and rear seats.
Performance is very good and plenty for daily driving. Cruising at highway speeds and rolling passes are not an issue. In fact the turbo is smooth and powerful, easily pinning riders back into the seats.
The "pickup" bed is a good feature and I think more people would take advantage if the industry provided more options. The Santa Cruz bed is smaller than itscompetitors at 27 cubic feet. But it works! I wouldn't load mulch or stone. However you can carry 5 people comfortably and have room for some gear. Access to the bed is an issue for me. No pass through other than the small rear window.
Storage creativity in the doorways and under the rear compartment seats are helpful. Folding the rear seats in the up position also increases the ability to move cargo in the cabin.
Under the bed provides wet and dry storage with a drain plug. Good for tailgating. A rolling bed/rooftop cover provides some bed shelter but the locking mechanism and pull strap were cumbersome to operate.
Mileage was good ~23 MPG as advertised
Towing capacity of 3500 lbs. (Not tested)
If your looking for comparable vehicles;
Ford Maverick, Chevrolet Colorado, Honda Ridgeline, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma.
I enjoyed this vehicle. The look, performance and feel all resonate with me.
A bigger bed, a pass through the rear seat would be nice additions.
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