The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz has garnered attention as one of the most interesting compact pickup trucks ever offered, blending SUV comfort with the utility of a truck bed. Even though Hyundai has moved to scale down production and potentially discontinue the model sooner than planned, there are still solid reasons to consider the Santa Cruz.
If you are looking for a versatile, stylish, and practical vehicle in the compact pickup segment, then this car is the perfect choice. Here in this blog, we will explore more about this car and its incredible features.
A Modern Take On A Pickup: Even As Production Winds Down
Now, when the world is dominated by traditional body-on-frame pickups, the Hyundai Santa Cruz carved out its own niche when it debuted. It offers car-like driving dynamics with the utility that lifestyle-oriented buyers want. This aggressive strategy resulted in a truck that is easy to live with on a daily basis but still has the capability to haul equipment, tools, outdoor gear, and more.
However, according to recent news, Hyundai is already reducing production numbers early because of lower demand and high inventory, shifting focus to a larger mid-size truck in the future. But this does not in any way reduce the attractiveness of the Santa Cruz, and in fact, it could be even more attractive to purchase one today.
Here’s Why You Should Get A Used 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
1. Unique Blend Of Comfort & Utility
Unlike most pickups, the Santa Cruz is built on a unibody platform, derived from the popular Hyundai Tucson crossover.
What This Means for You
- Car-like Ride Quality: Since it has more in common with an SUV than a conventional pickup, the ride quality is smooth and refined, perfect for daily driving, long road trips, and even city driving.
- Interior Comfort: The interior is contemporary, roomy, and feature-rich with technology and comfort features that rival many SUVs.
- Utility Without the Bulk: The open bed provides useful utility without the hassle of managing a full-size truck perfect for weekend projects, camping gear, bikes, and more.
This unique blend makes the Santa Cruz especially appealing if you want a do-everything vehicle without committing to a larger, heavier traditional pickup.
2. Strong Performance & Practical Bed Design
Even though it’s compact, the Santa Cruz offers respectable performance and cargo capability:
Engine and Capability
- Engine Options: The 2024 line-up offered both a standard 2.5-liter engine and a more powerful turbocharged option, delivering spirited performance and better towing capacity.
- Towing: With the turbo engine and all-wheel drive, the Santa Cruz can tow up to approximately 5,000 pounds, which is impressive in this class.
- Bed Design: The bed might be shorter than that of a typical mid-size pickup, but it includes clever storage solutions, including an in-bed trunk and under-floor storage.
These features give the Santa Cruz the versatility to handle light to moderate hauling tasks while still feeling nimble and fun to drive.
3. Well-Equipped For Comfort & Technology
As you enter the 2024 Santa Cruz, you will realize that it is not only a utility vehicle but also a technological ride with many comfort features:
Key Interior Features
- Panoramic Curved Display: The higher variants come with a dual-screen display system for infotainment and information.
- Wireless Connectivity: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, keeping your devices integrated seamlessly.
- Advanced Safety Tech: Forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more come standard or available across trims.
These comforts make long drives and everyday errands more pleasant, which sets the Santa Cruz apart from many pickups that feel more basic or work-oriented.
4. Compact Footprint: Easier To Live With Daily
Traditional pickups can be big, unwieldy, and difficult to park, especially in urban areas. The Santa Cruz, on the other hand:
- Fits in Standard Parking Spots
- Offers Better Fuel Efficiency Than Larger Trucks
- Feels More Nimble in Traffic
This smaller footprint appeals to buyers who want pickup and utility but don’t regularly need a full-size truck or huge cargo bed. At MotorSlash, we provide our readers with information on new cars to help you make a better decision.
Why Buy Even Though Production Is Ending?
It’s true that Hyundai is reported to be scaling back the Santa Cruz earlier than originally planned, with production expected to end ahead of the prior 2027 timeline.
But Here’s the Key Point
The Santa Cruz is a special part of automotive history, as it is one of the only attempts at redefining what a pickup truck can be by combining the comfort of a crossover with the capabilities of a truck.
The remaining inventory of the Santa Cruz and used models may provide consumers with excellent value for money, especially if the pricing becomes more aggressive to sell the remaining inventory.
Hyundai’s shift to a larger pickup doesn’t negate the strengths of the existing Santa Cruz; it simply reflects broader market preferences for larger trucks. In other words, if the Santa Cruz fits your lifestyle and you appreciate its design philosophy, there may never be a better time to buy one before they become rarer.
Conclusion: Why The 2024 Santa Cruz Still Matters
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a standout in the compact pickup truck market due to its one-of-a-kind unibody construction and comfortable SUV-like ride. Even as the production slows down, the Santa Cruz is still a great option for those looking for a versatile vehicle that can tackle both daily and adventurous tasks with ease.
No matter what your interests are in vehicle comfort, tech, capability, or value, the Santa Cruz has a lot to offer. It’s definitely a model worth considering, especially in a market where the compact truck segment is still evolving, and new models are still being introduced. To know more about such wonderful cars, stay updated with MotorSlash website.
