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15 Posts
I'm just gonna lay this out there:
The dangling option of a diesel engine in the Santa Cruz is going to make or break it's success and longevity in the United States. Here's why I think so:
In the United States, when it comes to trucks - and all vehicles for the most part, lately - more is more. The new "mid-size" class of trucks would be more aptly called "less gargantuan" or "junior colossus". The size of these trucks alone is what turned me away from them, and I believe I'm not the only one. What happened to the old rangers, the old colorados, the dakotas? They've all but disappeared or grown larger, leaving nothing in the true small pickup class.
Point being, as stated at the release of the Santa Cruz, people like myself aren't interested in the size or cost of a mid to full sized pickup. Everyone likes the idea of the utility of these, however, and that's where the diesel comes in.
With diesel, you get power, you get low-end torque, and you get great MPG to boot. What a perfect storm to finally come to the US market. If the Santa Cruz were to come with this option, I think it would emerge as a surprise work vehicle. This vehicle could legitimately capture a segment of mid-size truck buyers if it's towing or payload could come close, and with the proposed diesel power plant I don't see why that would be impossible.
Honestly, without the diesel, I think it will fall short despite being a great idea due to being underpowered. I hope that Hyundai will learn from the mistakes of the Subaru Baja (may it rest in peace). They know that people don't want the price, size or cost of maintenance with a truck, hence this vehicle; however, I hope they realize the utility of this vehicle has to go beyond an open bed.
In short, if the Santa Cruz is equipped with the proposed TD engine, not only will this vehicle beat out mid-size trucks in size, cost and MPG, but it will also be on par for power, making it a true competitor and not just a novelty.
I can say that living in a small town where it snows a lot, there is a market of people STARVED for a vehicle just like this one. Up here in Wisconsin, if they made these Diesel Santa Cruz's, you wouldn't be able to put them on car lots fast enough.
Can I get an amen?
The dangling option of a diesel engine in the Santa Cruz is going to make or break it's success and longevity in the United States. Here's why I think so:
In the United States, when it comes to trucks - and all vehicles for the most part, lately - more is more. The new "mid-size" class of trucks would be more aptly called "less gargantuan" or "junior colossus". The size of these trucks alone is what turned me away from them, and I believe I'm not the only one. What happened to the old rangers, the old colorados, the dakotas? They've all but disappeared or grown larger, leaving nothing in the true small pickup class.
Point being, as stated at the release of the Santa Cruz, people like myself aren't interested in the size or cost of a mid to full sized pickup. Everyone likes the idea of the utility of these, however, and that's where the diesel comes in.
With diesel, you get power, you get low-end torque, and you get great MPG to boot. What a perfect storm to finally come to the US market. If the Santa Cruz were to come with this option, I think it would emerge as a surprise work vehicle. This vehicle could legitimately capture a segment of mid-size truck buyers if it's towing or payload could come close, and with the proposed diesel power plant I don't see why that would be impossible.
Honestly, without the diesel, I think it will fall short despite being a great idea due to being underpowered. I hope that Hyundai will learn from the mistakes of the Subaru Baja (may it rest in peace). They know that people don't want the price, size or cost of maintenance with a truck, hence this vehicle; however, I hope they realize the utility of this vehicle has to go beyond an open bed.
In short, if the Santa Cruz is equipped with the proposed TD engine, not only will this vehicle beat out mid-size trucks in size, cost and MPG, but it will also be on par for power, making it a true competitor and not just a novelty.
I can say that living in a small town where it snows a lot, there is a market of people STARVED for a vehicle just like this one. Up here in Wisconsin, if they made these Diesel Santa Cruz's, you wouldn't be able to put them on car lots fast enough.
Can I get an amen?