[Hyundai Santa Cruz News]

Hyundai USA CEO Dave Zuchowski confirming that they're just planning the official announcement.

The key take away is that the Santa Cruz in fact will be heading to production sometime in the near future. Hyundai HQ is simply strategizing when and where the official announcement will be made.

"What's the easiest way to say that? We're waiting more for an announcement than we are for an approval, right? HMC [Hyundai Korea head office] is going to dictate [when that happens, but] we feel really good about it. It hasn't been officially announced yet. Our timing is not crossing our fingers and waiting for approval, it's trying to figure out when we're going to announce it," Zuchowski said to the Aussies at Motoring.com

“Santa Cruz, by design, isn’t an alternative to a truck, so towing, payload and ground clearance were not primary goals,” said Hyundai Motor America director of corporate planning Mark Dipko on the concept’s debut last year.

You'll be able to haul your bikes or a small boat, but nothing more then the modern cute 'ute most likely.

Look out for an announcement sometime before the NY Auto Show in March.

 

[Vulpine]

Looking forward to seeing this when it comes out. Right now I'm seriously torn between the upcoming Jeep Wrangler-based pickup (likely too large for what I really want and definitely lower fuel economy) and the Santa Cruz which will be smaller and offer almost everything I really want, but know far less about as far as soft-road capability and actual bed size.

 

[Santana]

Looking forward to seeing this when it comes out. Right now I'm seriously torn between the upcoming Jeep Wrangler-based pickup (likely too large for what I really want and definitely lower fuel economy) and the Santa Cruz which will be smaller and offer almost everything I really want, but know far less about as far as soft-road capability and actual bed size.

It should come down to if you want a sporty truck or something more off-road feeling and looking. And I can see people making that decision really quickly.

 

[Colin]

The Wrangler will be much better for off-road than the Santa Cruz, but if you are looking for something that you will be driving more in the city than the country, and that is more efficient then you should go with the Santa Cruz.

 

[Santana]

Indeed, and the Santa Cruz should beat the Jeep on price. BUT depending on what you want, price might not matter at all. Sometimes it's worth paying a bit more just to get what you want to use over the 4+ years of ownership.

 

[Santa]

Can't wait to see the production model It's perfect for weekend getaways without the need for a full sized truck.

 

[MRIZ]

Next year I am going to retire the 07 Civic and was thinking HRV but always wanted another pickup. Been telling my wife for the past few years how it's a shame the pickups are too big nowadays. Colorado/taco/GMC good but $$ poor MPG and more than I need. Been asking why can't Chevy make the El camino again? I don't need 7k lbs towing capacity and 24 mpg. I need AWD and a small bed for hauling whatever. Had to give up the 4 X $ Dakota because of MPG. And along comes the Santa Cruz. Exactly what I need. This will appeal to not just millennials , I am late 50's and this fits what I need. Can haul/tow my 500lb Kawasaki ZRX if needed and get decent mpg. Ridgeline is too big also .Had a Chevy LUV back in the day and it was great for a homeowner. They make this next year and I will buy it .

 

[EricB]

Prediction

I think there is a very good possibility of seeing the santacruz in a superbowl commercial. Where else do you have such a huge and diverse population of potential cunsumers?

 

[Colin]

I think there is a very good possibility of seeing the santacruz in a superbowl commercial. Where else do you have such a huge and diverse population of potential cunsumers?

That is a possibility though I'm not sure about this year. This year I would expect a Genesis advertisement for sure though. It depends when production of the Santa Cruz would start and when it is going to be put on sale.

 

[Wisconsin Cruz]

I'm just gonna sit here and keep my fingers crossed that the diesel engine makes production in the US

 

[fanfavorite]

Living in Canada we get all sorts of weather and terrains, I currently own a Jeep and will be looking for a replacement in a year or so. This is very practical for me, in Caterpillar sales I need something that gets good mileage (diesel), can carry a few people, and cargo if necessary. Being all wheel drive is a plus as we get various road conditions. A full size truck is too big. The styling is appealing as well. Stands out in a crowd. The SUV/Truck combo is perfect, I cannot be the only one who sees the appeal in this.

 

[James E Dandy]

There is alot of demand for a vehicle like this. I don't know why those full truck lovers always have to put their 2 cents in..."it's not big enough" , "it won't sell".
I wish they would just keep their mouths shut & go put fuel in their gas hogs.

 

[cotswold]

Just remember the Hyundai warranty, that is the selling point.

 

[Colin]

"It's not big enough" isn't much of a comment since that just means you should go look at a bigger truck. The whole point is that there aren't enough small trucks in the market.

 

[Stalker]

I do too. I met one of the Hyundai reps a few weeks ago in my area. He stated he was doubtful that Hyundai will offer the diesel because of VW's poor publicity due to their dishonesty.
He also said the Santa Cruz was going to be produced in Alabama where the Santa Fe is also made. He was doubtful that "if" it makes it to production that it will be available before the end of 2018. One problem that must be looked at is the extendable bed. He said Hyundai isn't going to make something that isn't reliable & there could be a lot of problems with the functioning of the bed. Hope he's wrong about all of it (except being made in Alabama).
(reply to post #10 , Wisconsin Cruz)

 

[Santana]

Smart move. They're better off just making a more fuel efficient engine and a vehicle that is lighter. Better outcome in the end.

 

[TimmyB]

Smart move. They're better off just making a more fuel efficient engine and a vehicle that is lighter. Better outcome in the end.

I wonder if Hyundai will ever go with the CVT as so many (mostly Asian) manufacturers have. I am driving my first one and it really is almost imperceptible, unless you are TRYING to! The difference in mileage (by them NOT going with the diesel) would be almost entirely made up by this, but if they are just getting started in it, I'd hate to see them use the Santa Cruz as their first vehicle.

 

[art_yow]

The Santa Cruz and new Honda Ridgeline are both on display at the Toronto Car show! Apparently Hyundai will make the production announcement in April with the Santa Cruz targeted for going on sale in late 2017.

http://www.auto123.com/en/news/hyundai-santa-cruz-concept-toronto/61878/


According to Hyundai Canada a diesel will not be offered: (In French)

C?est officiel, Hyundai commercialisera le Santa Cruz


I am looking forward to heading down to Toronto to check them out.

 

[Santana]

I have a feeling they might end up launching a diesel maybe one year after the release of the original. RAM has made the case for one, same with Nissan, although those diesels are in a segment higher up.

 

[Santa]

I saw the Santa Cruz at the show and it looks great! The doors weren't open but that's probably because the interior is incomplete.