Chris:
Hyundai is waiting for the next version of the Tuscon which is supposed to be significantly larger (8 passenger). The Santa Cruz would then be built off that platform.
Therefore it would be similar in size Colorado/Tacoma/New Ranger. For intents, it would be Hyundai's version of Ridgeline, same unibody, same size, same overall styling (4 doors/4' box).
And to be honest, having waited this long, build Santa Cruz on existing plant would be mistake give the new platform in due before '20.
No one is willing to risk $1B developing a vehicle which they will only sell 30k* units total when they could sell 25k** year over year of a larger one.
I wanted it to do same things as my recently deceased Ranger - economic daily driver, ability to throw Home Depot/garden center load/mtb in box or tow the jet ski to the lake in summer/sleds to mtns in winter (3k towing would be nice). As it is, the Escape + trailer is the solution and it is PIA to have to reserve and rent a u-haul trailer when I need a cargo trailer, but there isn't room in garage for 3 trailers (thx to high ceiling/lift there is room for 2).
*Baja and Rampage total sales numbers were around that range.
**Ridgeline numbers are ~25k/yr.