This is our first complete set of spy photos for the long-awaited truck.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz finally makes its spy photo debut. In December, we had a close-up look at a prototype. The single photo shows a heavily camouflaged truck that was parked underground. We have many images today showing another prototype making it through the winter in hardcore testing.
Although the camouflage is not as thick as the photo above, we can still get an idea of how the Santa Cruz will look when all the covers have been removed. It appears that it is Hyundai The extended-cab configuration of the concept will not be followed. We have only seen two models so we don’t know if there are any other models. However, a four-door truck with standard front and rear seating is a good option in this current midsize truck market.
We expect the new Santa Cruz will be bigger than the 2015 model, but these spy shots suggest that the face is not too far away. The corporate grille of Hyundai will cover most of the frontal space, with large driving lamps positioned at the corners under thin headlights. We can see the body lines for the A-pillar and hood that are similar to the Santa Fe SUV. This also applies to the distinctive kink at the rear door’s C-pillar. However, the truck’s rear doors are shorter than usual, which allows for a smaller, exposed bed at its rear.
It is possible that the SUV will be connected. Hyundai already stated that the Santa Cruz would be built at its sprawling Alabama manufacturing plant. This is the same facility where the Santa Fe is made. The truck could have a pair or four-cylinder engines. One is a 2.4-liter unit that produces 185 horsepower (138kilowatts), and the other is a turbocharged 2.0L engine with 238 hp (177kW). We have heard that it will use a ladder-frame chassis like full-size pickups. This would make it very interesting, as these spy photos seem to show an independent suspension at its rear.
The official unveiling date of the truck is unknown. Production is expected to start next year. However, a reveal could take place later in the year.