[Catcher44]

Hello everyone,

I am currently contemplating switching from a 2015 forester xt to a new or slightly used Santa Cruz.
The Santa Cruz intrigues me because with the turbo engine (which I would get) it matches what the forester outputs essentially. I love the idea of a small truck bed as I don’t need it for large hauling or projects, just smaller utility. And the fact that everything I’ve read is that the SC handles great and doesn’t feel much like a truck.
I have one child who is currently in a rear facing car seat but will be forward facing soon. So space is a question I have.
Overall just wanted some feedback from folks in why they like the SC (specifically with the turbo engine)? And if it’s big enough for a family of three.

Thanks in advance!

 

[EddieV]

As long as your wife is short and can move her passenger seat up when your driving then the car seat should fit fine behind her. As far as the turbo I skipped it because I wasn't a fan of the DCT transmission, but its a very quiet and smooth riding vehicle no matter the trim. you will get plenty of help and input here soon as others chime in.

 

[Phil75]

I do not have a turbo, even though I do a fair amount of city driving. For me it is a matter of watching traffic patterns and accommodating myself to them rather than punching the accelerator. We have gone on mini-vacations in a city with another couple. The back seat does not have lots of extra room, but they have said they are comfortable. I do not know if that helps you with a comparison to a car seat.

For hauling utility, see what others have posted in the thread, “Things I haul.” I find it is very good to be able to haul a wide variety of things and have done so. Once I might be called upon to haul people, and we had a full-size sedan. Now I am more likely to need to haul mulch or building supplies, etc.I carry some ratchet straps to secure loads.

Mileage on our non-turbo SEL has been very good, too.

 

[projectvortex]

My daughter owns a 2019 Forester and has 2 car seats in it. Both would NOT fit well in my SC unless both front seats were jacked way forward. She has one forward and one rear facing seat. IF you are only having one child seat and it faces forward, it should not be a problem. Just be aware that the SC will have less space overall in back than your Forester.

 

[nothavingone]

So, mine's not a turbo. After having the NA motor, I don't think there's a need for the turbo. I can be stupid enough with 191 ponies!

I do, on the other hand, have a 4-year-old.

I'm 6'1" tall. I can sit in front of the kid's seat, while the wife drives just fine. The trick I've learned is to sit with my left foot flat on the ground, knee right up against the center console. I did this for 200 miles, no issues.

The wife? She's perfectly comfortable. Her only complaints are about me driving like a buffoon.

I've had mine since April 2022. She's at about 12.5K miles. No issues. Looks pretty cool. Nice and comfy. Runs like a scalded assed ape.

Final conclusion? Are you a city boy that sorta wants a pickup? Go for it!

 

[brny67]

I traded in my 16 Ram 1500 for this 22 Sel Premium gently used 2700 miles on the clock when i got it...it is the Turbo, this vehicle so far is a great vehicle...let us know what you do...welcome to the forum!

 

[brny67]

Hello everyone,

I am currently contemplating switching from a 2015 forester xt to a new or slightly used Santa Cruz.
The Santa Cruz intrigues me because with the turbo engine (which I would get) it matches what the forester outputs essentially. I love the idea of a small truck bed as I don’t need it for large hauling or projects, just smaller utility. And the fact that everything I’ve read is that the SC handles great and doesn’t feel much like a truck.
I have one child who is currently in a rear facing car seat but will be forward facing soon. So space is a question I have.
Overall just wanted some feedback from folks in why they like the SC (specifically with the turbo engine)? And if it’s big enough for a family of three.

Thanks in advance!

sorry I didn't answer some of your questions...I really like the power the turbo gives, it will tow 5000 lbs, drives great....I am 5'10 and I can fit in the back with no issues, a lil tight but I never sit back there, my 12 yr old grandson has plenty of room. Hope this helps

 

[Photoflow]

Hello everyone,

I am currently contemplating switching from a 2015 forester xt to a new or slightly used Santa Cruz.
The Santa Cruz intrigues me because with the turbo engine (which I would get) it matches what the forester outputs essentially. I love the idea of a small truck bed as I don’t need it for large hauling or projects, just smaller utility. And the fact that everything I’ve read is that the SC handles great and doesn’t feel much like a truck.
I have one child who is currently in a rear facing car seat but will be forward facing soon. So space is a question I have.
Overall just wanted some feedback from folks in why they like the SC (specifically with the turbo engine)? And if it’s big enough for a family of three.

Thanks in advance!

Hey there,
I’m somewhat in the same boat, as I have a 2014 Forester XT that I’m looking to keep, but at the same time potentially looking to add a Santa Cruz (or Maverick) to my family. Based on my experience with kids, I’d recommend you keep the Forester, especially since you still have a little one in a rear facing car seat and maybe you’ll be growing your family. The Forester has always been an invaluable family hauler for my two boys, who were both in car seats at the same time and it made family travel super easy. Plenty of room for the kids, as well as plenty of room to easily install or remove the car seats. I actually upgraded to this Forester in Fall 2013 from an old 2-door Jeep Wrangler that really wasn’t kid friendly (yep, had to let go of my old single guy Jeep….lol). However, now that my boys are older and out of boosters, I’m considering adding a Santa Cruz since I no longer worry about car seat functionality and we’re now into lugging around soccer gear to weekend games, etc.

Just my two cents as a two kid family man.

 

[brny67]

Hey there,
I’m somewhat in the same boat, as I have a 2014 Forester XT that I’m looking to keep, but at the same time potentially looking to add a Santa Cruz (or Maverick) to my family. Based on my experience with kids, I’d recommend you keep the Forester, especially since you still have a little one in a rear facing car seat and maybe you’ll be growing your family. The Forester has always been an invaluable family hauler for my two boys, who were both in car seats at the same time and it made family travel super easy. Plenty of room for the kids, as well as plenty of room to easily install or remove the car seats. I actually upgraded to this Forester in Fall 2013 from an old 2-door Jeep Wrangler that really wasn’t kid friendly (yep, had to let go of my old single guy Jeep….lol). However, now that my boys are older and out of boosters, I’m considering adding a Santa Cruz since I no longer worry about car seat functionality and we’re now into lugging around soccer gear to weekend games, etc.

Just my two cents as a two kid family man.

Welcome to the forum...

 

[Catcher44]

Thank you to everyone who has replied so far! I really appreciate the input you have all given and it has definitely helped clear up a few questions I had. I look forward to hearing from more people. After some of the feedback, I want to get out and test drive a non-turbo engine as it sounds like the standard engine is more than fine. Still seems like a fun vehicle that I want to continue considering.

 

[Will]

The turbo is really nice for passing on a two lane, it just gets it done. Other than that I would rather have a standard transmission. A turbo with a torque converter tranny would be awesome.

 

[JMII]

Can't comment on the child seat issue but just finished a 500 mile road trip - no doubt this is a fantastic vehicle. Its smooth, quiet and responsive, the tech is great, it will literally drive itself 90% of the time under typical highway conditions. Its comparable to my wife's Infiniti in terms of interior and ride quality.

If your getting used run the VIN and make sure it doesn't have the DCT recall.

 

[hligo11]

Can't comment on the child seat issue but just finished a 500 mile road trip - no doubt this is a fantastic vehicle. Its smooth, quiet and responsive, the tech is great, it will literally drive itself 90% of the time under typical highway conditions. Its comparable to my wife's Infiniti in terms of interior and ride quality.

If your getting used run the VIN and make sure it doesn't have the DCT recall.

Yes I love the LKA and LFA assists for the longer drives on the highways. It essentially will drive itself as long as you keep a hand on the wheel

 

[childoffire79]

If your rear passengers have no legs then it's plenty big. If you decide to load up the truck with rear passengers who have legs then you would need to switch to a Hobbit driver and/or front passenger.

 

[ColoradoOutdoors]

Hello everyone,

I am currently contemplating switching from a 2015 forester xt to a new or slightly used Santa Cruz.
The Santa Cruz intrigues me because with the turbo engine (which I would get) it matches what the forester outputs essentially. I love the idea of a small truck bed as I don’t need it for large hauling or projects, just smaller utility. And the fact that everything I’ve read is that the SC handles great and doesn’t feel much like a truck.
I have one child who is currently in a rear facing car seat but will be forward facing soon. So space is a question I have.
Overall just wanted some feedback from folks in why they like the SC (specifically with the turbo engine)? And if it’s big enough for a family of three.

Thanks in advance!

Why we love the SC? Besides the bed and overall packaging, we love the the tactile feel, the direct nature of this thing. Braking, handling, steering. Reminds me of the early 2000's BMWs I have owned. Nothing artificial feeling about the steering or brakes. Really, really great driving car that happens to be a truck and have plenty of utility. I could go on and on . . .

 

[JMII]

Why we love the SC? Besides the bed and overall packaging, we love the the tactile feel, the direct nature of this thing. Braking, handling, steering. Reminds me of the early 2000's BMWs I have owned. Nothing artificial feeling about the steering or brakes. Really, really great driving car that happens to be a truck and have plenty of utility. I could go on and on . . .

+1 Hyundai really nailed the "feel" of this thing - the steering and suspension are soft and smooth enough to be comfortable yet there is still enough stiffness and feedback to understand what the tires are doing. Other vehicles tend too mushy or too rough... but 6 miles into my test drive I was sold, the SC is just right.

 

[dartgt64]

Thank you to everyone who has replied so far! I really appreciate the input you have all given and it has definitely helped clear up a few questions I had. I look forward to hearing from more people. After some of the feedback, I want to get out and test drive a non-turbo engine as it sounds like the standard engine is more than fine. Still seems like a fun vehicle that I want to continue considering.

I suggest taking your car seat to your local Hyundai dealer and checking it out. I have had a black 2022 limited and it is lots of fun to drive. It's not my 485hp Challenger, but that doesn't come out with salt on the roads. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat, but for me a new vehicle for $42K beat the heck out of the cost of a new loaded half ton 4x4. Great in the snow too. Definitely check out the back seat. they cut the door corner at the back and getting in and out is a bit of a challenge for a full size human. May make it tough for a car seat. Wife complains....but when she doesn't I will start looking around for flying pigs!

 

[lw6197]

I took a 600 mile trip with 2 other adults and the back seat passenger who was 5'7" said it was comfortable. Yes if you can't open the back door all the way, it is a bit challenging. I still love it

 

[MR1SW]

Hello everyone,

I am currently contemplating switching from a 2015 forester xt to a new or slightly used Santa Cruz.
The Santa Cruz intrigues me because with the turbo engine (which I would get) it matches what the forester outputs essentially. I love the idea of a small truck bed as I don’t need it for large hauling or projects, just smaller utility. And the fact that everything I’ve read is that the SC handles great and doesn’t feel much like a truck.
I have one child who is currently in a rear facing car seat but will be forward facing soon. So space is a question I have.
Overall just wanted some feedback from folks in why they like the SC (specifically with the turbo engine)? And if it’s big enough for a family of three.

Thanks in advance!

Hello
I would recommend reading about the recalls~!

 

[MR1SW]

Transmission Are a problem with long delays in replacement [ two months and still waiting ] Manufacturer has it on back order and has no information on ETA of parts.