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Hyundai’s Santa Cruz HiLux Killer Won’t Come to Australia

gaycarboys - Alan Zurvas

Hyundai today unveiled its highly anticipated Santa Cruz Sport Adventure Vehicle for the USA market.

Sadly, the LHD ute won’t be headed downunder. While Australian buyers will miss out, US buyers are expected to flock to the sexy new pick-up truck.

The 2022 Santa Cruz breaks new ground within the SUV, Truck and Crossover segments by offering a true Sport Adventure Vehicle unlike anything else in the U.S. Hyundai is also creating an early reservation system for the U.S.-market Santa Cruz in late April at https://www.hyundaiusa.com/.

Other GayCarBoys SUV Stories:

Santa Cruz, is a big step for Hyundai. The Korean giant has Toyota’s aging Hilux firmly in its sights.

Above: This Week 2021 Subaru Outback Review

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ABOVE: 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Why Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz was developed to be the ultimate Sport Adventure Vehicle, a moniker confirmed in Hyundai’s early consumer research. Santa Cruz has a secure, open tray which includes a lockable tonneau cover, hidden tray storage plus bed extension accessories. This give buyers the security utility of a compact SUV, with its comfort, passenger space, fuel efficiency and parking ease.

  • Urban life connectivity with escape to outdoor adventure
  • Work and play flexibility
  • Tough yet alluring demeanor
  • Roominess with maneuverability
  • Open cargo area and secured, lockable storage
  • Towing capability and fuel efficiency

The front has a lighting signature in the grille only illuminated when the car is started. The daytime running lamps (DRLs) have parametric jewel design, and the grille is a cascading design, with skid plate below.

In profile, Santa Cruz looks deliciously chunky.

The A- and C-pillars give a forward and rearward rakes unlike most LCVs, such as Hilux and Navara. Large 20-inch alloy have a triangular design are surrounded by armoured wheel arches, conveying weekend-warriorness.

Around back, a horizontal “T” lighting signature is unique to the segment. The tray has secure, lockable built-in storage, built-n bumper steps and a lockable tonneau cover, all integrated design. The rear tail lamps are embossed with: “Designed in California” as a nod to the USA-based design team.

Interior Design
The Santa Cruz cabin takes the segment into uncharted territory. The looks is both rugged and refined in line with the sturdy metalwork outside. It has all the technologies expected in a modern vehicle too. This is a place much ignored by LCV makers until recently. A dual-cockpit design that wraps around each passenger. Design teams focused ease of use, including getting in and out. The center stack 10” tablet is edgeless which adds a touch of class. Thereis an optional 10” driver’s display. There is under-seat storage and a Bose® audio system.

Powerful and Efficient Powertrains
Santa Cruz gnines. First, 2.5L direct-injected 4-cylinder engine with around 190+ HP / 180+ lb.-ft.. It is paired to an eight-speed conventional-type automatic. The second is a 2.5L direct-injected turbo with a stinking 275+ HP/ 310+ lb.-ft. of torque with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). This DCT has paddle shifters for that sporty touch.

Advanced HTRAC® AWD and Towing Capability
Both models have HTRAC® all-wheel drive capability for the adventure-types. The HTRAC AWD system was developed as a multi-mode system, providing an electronic, variable-torque-split clutch with active torque control between the front and rear axles. The Sport mode sends more torque to the rear wheels.

Towing:

For those owners who like to get out and about, the 2.5L 4-cylinder is rated at 3,500 lbs.of towing and the 2.5L Turbo AWD increases that to 5,000 lbs. worth of towin.

Compact Dimensions Yet Capacious

Santa Cruz is easy to park, with turning circle of 20.0 feet.

Specification (in.) Santa Cruz Tacoma Ridgeline Frontier
Length 195.7 212.2 210.0 205.5
Width 75.0 75.2 78.5 72.8
Height 66.7 70.7 70.3 70.1
Wheelbase 118.3 127.4 125.2 126.0
Bed Length Upper 48.4

Lower 52.1

 60.4 63.6 59.4
Footprint Area
(sq. ft.)		 101.9 109.7 114.6 103.9

Responsive and Refined Chassis Tuning
Santa Cruz is tuned for multi-surface driving conditions. The shorter wheelbase, short overhangs and wide track make it good on-road and off-road. Available 20-inch alloy wheels with all-season, all-terrain tires. Available 18-inch wheels with more higher sidewalls for off-roading.

Hyundai SmartSense Safety and Convenience
Santa Cruz includes:

Standard SmartSense Safety and Convenience Standard
·         Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) w/ Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection x
·         Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) x
·         Driver Attention Warning (DAW) x
Optional Features
·         Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) · ·         OPT
·         Safe Exit Assist (SEA) · ·         OPT
·         Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM) · ·         OPT
·         Highway Drive Assist (HDA) · ·         OPT
·         Surround View Monitor (SVM) · ·         OPT
·         Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) · ·         OPT

Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)
Both drivetrains include SmartSense technologies including:

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Junction-Turning Detection)

 

  • Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
  • Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
  • Highway Driving Assist (HDA)
  • Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
  • Surround View Monitor (SVM)
  • Safe Exit Assist (SEA)
  • Smart Cruise Control (SCC)
  • Driver Attention Warning (DAW)

Advanced Infotainment, Connectivity and Convenience
Santa Cruz provides the latest connectivity and technology

Such as 8” color touchscreen, Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto®, and Qi wireless charging. There is a Digital Key with smartphone app that allows smartphones some of the functions remotely. Users can lock and unlock the, hit the panic alert and start the engine. Owners can leave the physical keys at home, and they can share the car with with family and friends. NOYE:  Android operating system ONLY.

The Santa Cruz navigation system has a split-screen for multi-tasking, and finally, an eight-speaker Bose® sound system.

Blue Link® Connected Car System
The Santa Cruz receives many Blue Link® Connected Car service enhancements. As with most Hyundai models, Blue Link is complimentary for three years and includes features such as Remote Start with Climate Control, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Stolen Vehicle Recovery and Destination Search by Voice and others. Blue Link features can be accessed via interior controls or through the MyHyundai.com web portal, the MyHyundai with Blue Link smartphone app, the Amazon® Alexa Blue Link skill and the Blue Link Google Assistant app. Some features can be controlled via Android Wear™ and Apple Watch™ smartwatch apps.

2022 Santa Cruz key features include:

  • Remote Engine Start allows the owner to remotely warm up or cool down the vehicle using the Santa Cruz key fob on models equipped with Proximity Key and Push Button Start.
  • Remote profile management—stores select vehicle settings to the Blue Link cloud, with the ability to remotely update and push back to the vehicle, personalized to driver preferences
  • Remote start enhancements:
    • Remote seat heating and ventilation(on/off/level for each individual heated/cooled seat)
      Profile selection (preloads individual driver settings for seating position/side mirrors)
  • Vehicle Status Notifications—if the vehicle is left with doors unlocked or windows open, customers will receive a notification
  • POI Send to Car now with Waypoints (ability to add up to three way points, to be delivered to the vehicle together and automatically set order of destinations)
  • Maintenance Alert Enhancement—maintenance interval tracking is now visible in the multimedia system, with ability to reset

More details on specific Blue Link–equipped vehicles available at www.hyundaibluelink.com.

 

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