Kylie Whitcomb Don’t call it a truck. And don’t call it an SUV. Meet the Hyundai Santa Cruz, the first Sport Adventure Vehicle. And now you can check it out at your local Hyundai dealer.
A New Take on an Old Concept With A Sport Adventure
Okay, the concept of the truck/car or truck/SUV hybrid isn’t new. When you were a kid, you probably knew someone who drove a classic Chevy El Camino. Others came and went, like the Subaru Brat and, 20 years later, the Baja. And let’s not forget the Honda Ridgeline, which shares a body platform with the popular Pilot SUV.
Now, Hyundai is introducing its first-ever Sport Adventure Vehicle, the Santa Cruz. Part SUV, part tiny truck, it’s for people looking for a mix of comfort, utility, and fun.
A Familiar Face
If the Santa Cruz silhouette looks a little familiar, it’s because it shares a platform with the all-new Hyundai Tucson. This gives it a smoother ride instead of the jangly ride that’s typical with larger pickup trucks.
It also means it shares a lot of standard and available creature comforts and conveniences that top just about every wish list, including:
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Easy-clean cloth or leather-trimmed seats
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and wireless charging
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
Every Climate is its Favorite in this Sport Adventure Vehicle
If you’ve ever been up to Santa Cruz, you know that part of California is an adventurer’s playground. From beaches and sea cliffs to coastal mountains, you can encounter a lot of weather and road conditions in one trip.
And this Hyundai more than lives up to its namesake. Available with a 191-horsepower 2.5L or a turbocharged 2.5L that cranks 281 horsepower, the Santa Cruz delivers the power and handling you need to wind your way up the coast. Oh, and did we mention it’s beefy enough to tow 3,500 pounds?
And with available HTRAC all-wheel drive, this SAV has serious off-road bona fides. It’s the tiny truck that’s ready for every climate California has to offer. Whether you’re hitting the slopes, heading to your favorite remote campsite, or your secret surfing spot, all you have to do is dial in the Drive Mode Select, and you’re on your way.
From Trail Rides to Tailgates
The Santa Cruz is full of storage options. The underfloor storage in the truck bed gives you a place to stash muddy or wet items. Or you can fill it up with ice and leave the cooler at home. The bed itself holds quite a bit of gear, and the tailgate can be adjusted to accommodate longer items like surf and snowboards. And the available water-resistant tonneau cover protects your stuff from road dust and rain.
A Little Quirky, A Lot of Versatility
Hyundai is known for quirky-looking vehicles like the sporty, 3-door Veloster and, now, the Santa Cruz. If you’re tired of cookie-cutter cars and SUVs, you’ll want to hit up your nearest Hyundai dealer and check out this fun, affordable Sport Adventure Vehicle.
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