[Crimson Flam3s]

When test driving it, the handling felt great! However my experience has been limited to slow or big heavy vehicles such as a Tacoma, f150, Tundra, Nissan versa etc

Been considering either a practical sports car such as the Kia Stinger hatchback with the 3.3T or the Santa Cruz. Didn't get a chance to test drive both at their most potential due to salesmen being there lol

Is the SC handling decent by "sporty" car standards or is it just "cross over" like with nothing remarkable about it if you are used to true sport cars?

 

[Innate]

Is the SC handling decent by "sporty" car standards or is it just "cross over" like with nothing remarkable about it if you are used to true sport cars?

I doubt it's ever gonna win a slalom against a true sports car, but boy that turbo will get you outta the way pretty fast when you step on it!!!

 

[GTAcruz]

Is the SC handling decent by "sporty" car standards or is it just "cross over" like with nothing remarkable about it if you are used to true sport cars?

It‘s slightly above my Toyota SUV, in terms of handling…
only test drove the Ultimate with my daughter and no sales person in the car… straight line speed is good, not excellent, close to my Veloster turbo - on good day, mid 6s, 0-100km… handling/cornering, not even close… but I didn’t order it to corner on rails…

 

[jordan21210]

I got out of an Alfa Romeo Giulia and into a Santa Cruz. Absolutely no comparison, the SC is a sloth compared to the Giulia…but I knew that when I made the decision. The Santa Cruz handles decent for what it is, certainly better than a full size truck…but if you’re looking for handling comparable to a sport sedan, this ain’t it.

 

[Walking Black Bear]

Physics means it will never handle like a sports car - but it sure does NOT handle like a truck! Compared to our old Journey, and our year old Equinox though ... it's as close to a sports car as I'm going to own any time soon! Sure does like to go fast if you touch the throttle! I was mainly impressed with how it handled washboard dirt roads. Just ate it up - my wife didn't even notice we were on it until I pointed it out.

 

[soldthetaco]

I was mainly impressed with how it handled washboard dirt roads. Just ate it up - my wife didn't even notice we were on it until I pointed it out.

this is how I feel too, the faster you go through washboard roads, the softer the suspension feels or more dampening is happening
on the other hand, I slow down for speed pumps and the shocks feel very stiff, pretty weird

 

[ToadVine]

... the faster you go through washboard roads, the softer the suspension feels ...

Wow! How fast do you have to go to just skim across the top of the bumps like that?

 

[soldthetaco]

Wow! How fast do you have to go to just skim across the top of the bumps like that?

around 25 mph is the sweet spot,
I tried slowing down to under 10 mph and the bump felt very significant

 

[Walking Black Bear]

I was doing 40/45mph over it last week. Yippee kay yay!!

 

[LouSica]

Hello Group - how does it handle vs some of the other Hyundai SUVs, ex the Tucson and the Santa Fe? I know those are odd vehicles to be cross shopping with the Santa Cruz but I'm curious. Thanks

 

[Spiff]

I went from a RAV4 Hybrid to the SC (non-turbo). It doesn't have quite the takeoff of the hybrid, but handles very similarly. When I went to the test drive I told my wife, "if it drives like a RAV4 and has a truck bed it's coming home with me." I don't have the RAV4 anymore.

 

[GTAcruz]

I went from a RAV4 Hybrid to the SC (non-turbo). It doesn't have quite the takeoff of the hybrid, but handles very similarly. When I went to the test drive I told my wife, "if it drives like a RAV4 and has a truck bed it's coming home with me." I don't have the RAV4 anymore.

I drive the Rav4 hybrid as my commuter, it only takes of slightly better and for only a second.
The eCVT just kills any enjoyment you might be able to get from a 200hp vehicles.
I find SC handles like most compact SUVs, but the ride quality is much better, especially on nummy roads, I suspect, due to its longer wheel base, compared to other compact SUVs

 

[Innate]

Hello Group - how does it handle vs some of the other Hyundai SUVs, ex the Tucson and the Santa Fe? I know those are odd vehicles to be cross shopping with the Santa Cruz but I'm curious. Thanks

Test drove a Tucson before my SC arrived and it was pretty much the same.