Photo: motor1.com
A single photo of a Hyundai chassis - normally, that wouldn't be news-worthy. But this is the 2022 Santa Cruz we're talking about, which is not only the carmaker's first pickup, but also a radical departure from the trucking norm.
Almost everything that makes the Santa Cruz special is in this photo, provided by a reader of Motor1. We're looking at the full chassis, most likely a primed prototype Hyundai uses to test the production process before the factory in Montgomery, Alabama is in full swing.
The Santa Cruz may not be the first compact truck ever made, but it is different. The vehicle is designed like a normal crossover, with the bed "attached" to the cabin. Unibody construction means there is no separate chassis adding rigidity; it all has to come from the body.
The Hyundai pickup has a much shorter bed than normal trucks, even small ones. It doesn't look big enough for a sheet of drywall or the two-by-fours you'd need for a kitchen renovation. The Korean brand's pickup is more of a lifestyle choice, and because it will be unique on the market, we still think it's going to be popular.
Styling is also something worth point out here, as the Santa Cruz comes with a large pinch of sportiness. It's got sharp geometric creases down the sides and a slanted rear window. We bet some louvers would look nice there.
While we believe the Santa Cruz will be the darling of the custom truck world, its stock engine probably doesn't offer you much to play with. It's believed the truck will be priced from $25,000, and for that, you're likely to get a basic four-cylinder.
The most likely candidate is the new 2.5-liter, which in the Sonata pushes 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, but the old 2.4-liter would be fine too. There are numerous turbocharged units in Hyundai's toolbox, but we wouldn't hold our breath. Instead, the Santa Cruz might take advantage of relaxed truck emissions legislation and offer an economical diesel, which might set it apart from the competition.
The Santa Cruz may not be the first compact truck ever made, but it is different. The vehicle is designed like a normal crossover, with the bed "attached" to the cabin. Unibody construction means there is no separate chassis adding rigidity; it all has to come from the body.
The Hyundai pickup has a much shorter bed than normal trucks, even small ones. It doesn't look big enough for a sheet of drywall or the two-by-fours you'd need for a kitchen renovation. The Korean brand's pickup is more of a lifestyle choice, and because it will be unique on the market, we still think it's going to be popular.
Styling is also something worth point out here, as the Santa Cruz comes with a large pinch of sportiness. It's got sharp geometric creases down the sides and a slanted rear window. We bet some louvers would look nice there.
While we believe the Santa Cruz will be the darling of the custom truck world, its stock engine probably doesn't offer you much to play with. It's believed the truck will be priced from $25,000, and for that, you're likely to get a basic four-cylinder.
The most likely candidate is the new 2.5-liter, which in the Sonata pushes 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, but the old 2.4-liter would be fine too. There are numerous turbocharged units in Hyundai's toolbox, but we wouldn't hold our breath. Instead, the Santa Cruz might take advantage of relaxed truck emissions legislation and offer an economical diesel, which might set it apart from the competition.
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