Thought I'd write this review for people considering the Santa Cruz.
There's no doubt this vehicle is "unique" - so when you first consider it, or possibly purchase it, you may be wrapped-up in the excitement of a newly segmented vehicle. THE REAL QUESTION IS, does the novelty wear off, and are you still happy when/if it does?
So I just came upon the one-year mark of ownership, and in that year I put a little over 20,000 miles on. If needed, here is my ratoinal for purchasing the SC in the first place:
(1) The Sweet Spot - My Opinion for anyone looking at the Santa Cruz | Hyundai Santa Cruz Forum (santacruzforums.com)
After a year - I am still totally happy with the Truck! And over the course of those 12 months I've put this little Hyundai to the test.
Towing - I've towed my single jet ski all over the state, and in-and-out of plenty of boat ramps. Never a problem. More on this if needed at: (1) Towing Feedback on SEL 2WD, 4 cylinder | Hyundai Santa Cruz Forum (santacruzforums.com)
Cargo- The Bed is small, be warned. I am not a contractor so the majority of my time I am not transporting anything, but I have transported a new refrigerator, several hundred pounds of trees I cut down, truck loads of sod, and patio furniture. All without issue. To compensate for the smaller bed, I did add a roof rack purchased from Amazon.
Gas Milage- This is something that's easy to forget, but should always be remembered... With the exception of Ford's Mavric nothing with a bed delivers mileage like this. I was talking to a guy who had a Really nice Tacoma, kind of had me jealous; but he said he's lucky to get 18/19 on the highway... I average 25. And that is with the roof rack which took about one mile per gallon off the efficiency.
Fun Stuff - Unfortunately, I haven't used the cooler in the bed (at least not as a cooler), and I don't use the sunroof as much as I'd like because the noise from the roof rack is loud. The auto open on the tail gate is great. The rear slider is cool. The LED bed lights really do come in handy. The bed cover is great... In all my previous trucks I've either not had one, or removed it, but the SC is functional and good to have. It is NOT 100% waterproof though, so be warned.
I also bought the tailgate letters off amazon - they fit and look great.
Build Quality- Great scores here... So much better than the Colorado I used to have where the door panels creaked when you press your leg agist it, or there was always something rattling. Seats still look new, and the dash and shifter look great. NOTE: There is some weird problem with the coating on part of the door panel flaking and peeling off, which is a bummer cause I'd give a near perfect score otherwise. I predict this will get a recall at some point in time.
Also, I got rear ended a few months back. The SC withstood the impact well, fortunately no airbags deployed, and I was relieved with the availability of parts for the bodyshop. Despite all the damage, you would never know anything happened.
If there is one once of buyer's remorse, I would say that I wish I got the SEL premium with the Turbo. The 190 HP NA is actually a pretty sufficient engine and it definitely "does the job" - so I am sure that adding the Turbo would really make the Truck fun to drive... but it costs ya a mile or two per gallon, so it's a give and take. I'd say that if you can afford the extra $3000, upgrade to the Premium without a second thought. Also, I would not mind having the AWD, but I would not say that I'm longing for it as no one should really be getting a SC for off-roading...
...And even after a year, a load of miles, a significant accident/repair, I still get questions and complements on this truck. I have the Black color, but I think the creamy colored sand and green are cooler looking. I know a lot of people are so-so on the Rims, but I like them and they are totally Unique.
TAKE AWAY - if you can handle the reduced bed space, and don't mind being in a smaller "truck" the benefits in gas mileage are awesome, and unless you tow something really heavy, you are not giving up too much other truck-functionality. After a year, I am still totally happy in the Santa Cruz and the novelty hasn't worn off, I still love driving it and seeing it in my driveway.
There's no doubt this vehicle is "unique" - so when you first consider it, or possibly purchase it, you may be wrapped-up in the excitement of a newly segmented vehicle. THE REAL QUESTION IS, does the novelty wear off, and are you still happy when/if it does?
So I just came upon the one-year mark of ownership, and in that year I put a little over 20,000 miles on. If needed, here is my ratoinal for purchasing the SC in the first place:
(1) The Sweet Spot - My Opinion for anyone looking at the Santa Cruz | Hyundai Santa Cruz Forum (santacruzforums.com)
After a year - I am still totally happy with the Truck! And over the course of those 12 months I've put this little Hyundai to the test.
Towing - I've towed my single jet ski all over the state, and in-and-out of plenty of boat ramps. Never a problem. More on this if needed at: (1) Towing Feedback on SEL 2WD, 4 cylinder | Hyundai Santa Cruz Forum (santacruzforums.com)
Cargo- The Bed is small, be warned. I am not a contractor so the majority of my time I am not transporting anything, but I have transported a new refrigerator, several hundred pounds of trees I cut down, truck loads of sod, and patio furniture. All without issue. To compensate for the smaller bed, I did add a roof rack purchased from Amazon.
Gas Milage- This is something that's easy to forget, but should always be remembered... With the exception of Ford's Mavric nothing with a bed delivers mileage like this. I was talking to a guy who had a Really nice Tacoma, kind of had me jealous; but he said he's lucky to get 18/19 on the highway... I average 25. And that is with the roof rack which took about one mile per gallon off the efficiency.
Fun Stuff - Unfortunately, I haven't used the cooler in the bed (at least not as a cooler), and I don't use the sunroof as much as I'd like because the noise from the roof rack is loud. The auto open on the tail gate is great. The rear slider is cool. The LED bed lights really do come in handy. The bed cover is great... In all my previous trucks I've either not had one, or removed it, but the SC is functional and good to have. It is NOT 100% waterproof though, so be warned.
I also bought the tailgate letters off amazon - they fit and look great.
Build Quality- Great scores here... So much better than the Colorado I used to have where the door panels creaked when you press your leg agist it, or there was always something rattling. Seats still look new, and the dash and shifter look great. NOTE: There is some weird problem with the coating on part of the door panel flaking and peeling off, which is a bummer cause I'd give a near perfect score otherwise. I predict this will get a recall at some point in time.
Also, I got rear ended a few months back. The SC withstood the impact well, fortunately no airbags deployed, and I was relieved with the availability of parts for the bodyshop. Despite all the damage, you would never know anything happened.
If there is one once of buyer's remorse, I would say that I wish I got the SEL premium with the Turbo. The 190 HP NA is actually a pretty sufficient engine and it definitely "does the job" - so I am sure that adding the Turbo would really make the Truck fun to drive... but it costs ya a mile or two per gallon, so it's a give and take. I'd say that if you can afford the extra $3000, upgrade to the Premium without a second thought. Also, I would not mind having the AWD, but I would not say that I'm longing for it as no one should really be getting a SC for off-roading...
...And even after a year, a load of miles, a significant accident/repair, I still get questions and complements on this truck. I have the Black color, but I think the creamy colored sand and green are cooler looking. I know a lot of people are so-so on the Rims, but I like them and they are totally Unique.
TAKE AWAY - if you can handle the reduced bed space, and don't mind being in a smaller "truck" the benefits in gas mileage are awesome, and unless you tow something really heavy, you are not giving up too much other truck-functionality. After a year, I am still totally happy in the Santa Cruz and the novelty hasn't worn off, I still love driving it and seeing it in my driveway.
