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Remember what we used to call “compact pickups?” Well, they all became mid-sized pickups. And even though now-called mid-sized, some of them are kinda large-ish. The original compacts were named Chevy Luv, Ford Courier and the original Ranger, Dodge Dakota, various Nissans and Toyotas, a Mitsu, and a few others. They’re all gone (as we knew them), and until recently so was their breed entirely extinct in the United States marketplace.
I, long ago and in writing, predicted that this would create holes, or opportunities within the marketplace; so far these questions have been answered by a pair of four-door pickups (or SUTs, sport/utility trucks) developed around modern SUV platforms. To date these are the Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Ford Maverick. The Santa Cruz shares lots of its general architecture with the popular Tuscon, and the Maverick shares lacy underbits with the Bronco Sport. Neither of these are heavy duty monster trucks suitable for racing the Baja 1000 or hauling the largest ever Airstream trailers; think of them more as compact sport/utilities serving a well-appointed, comfy cabin with seating for five, and an entirely open cargo area aft. Perfect urban, or suburban, pickups.
The Sante Cruz can be had in front-wheel drive only form, or in an all-wheel drive config. Forget the old days of multi ratio transfer cases or locking wheel hubs to mess with. There are two powertrain offerings, standard being a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four good for 181 horsepower, or a turbocharged version of same cranked up to a commendable 281 ponies. Your only transmission choices are essentially Automatic — all that’s called for, really. My Hampton Gray tester was a full boater, Limited trim model packing the Turbo 2.5 and AWD. This level Cruz comes fully loaded, with all the comfort, tech, infotainment, and performance hardware standard — in fact the single option on the window sticker is carpeted floor mats. The leather seating is handsome and very comfy, with plenty of room in every dimension for five normal sized adults. As is typical of this brand, all the materials and surfaces look and feel of high quality; even the plastic stuff is excellent.
All of the defensive driving and safety hardware seems comprehensive and up to snuff, as does the infotainment gear. I appreciated the little flip open porthole in the rear window allowing safe carry of those 2x4s. And you’ll appreciate all of the clever touches in the bed area — a neatly roll-up plastic/vinyl bed cover and a lockable folding rear bed gate. A sheet molded, non-rustable composite bed, plus LED bed lighting, plus dang handy Under-bed and side wall storage compartments. Please check out the factory window-sticker below for detail on all of the bits and bobs included in the Limited model level. Plus you get Hyundai’s unmatchable killer warranty packages.
The “Smartstream” Turbo-4 and the 8-speed dual-clutch manumatic transmission are outstanding dance partners. The engine is well mannered, smooth, and boils out a ton of power at most any rev range. This trans (which is really a manual transmission, with twin-clutches and robotized shifting) is more efficient than an old style torque converter automatic, shifts smoothly yet crisply, and has a ratio for every occasion, always keeping the turbo motor boiling on-boost and in its most efficient output range; shifts are crisp and there’s no meaningful turbo or power lag to discuss It’s not only quick, but driven with enough spirit, is genuinely fast. The smartly yet sportily tuned suspension, alloy wheels and premium Michelin 20-inch rubber give sharp handling with good feel and relatively high cornering limits with a firmly smooth and quiet ride. If I have any dynamic wish list item it would be a bit more brake response at the top of the brake pedal – no worries, there’s plenty of stopping power from the 4-wheel disc brakes, but the initial tip-in of the brake pedal came off as a bit soft to some of my compatriots that drove this vehicle, and in my own opinion. Otherwise, it’s a joy to drive or ride in.
Another wish list item would be a wider variety of powertrain offerings — both current engine offerings are up to the job in every way, but they are your only choices — there are no hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or pure EV versions offered. And in today’s market environment and appetite for these choices, I’ll tab that as a minor (or maybe not) product development shortcoming.
Comparisons against Ford’s hot-selling Maverick are obvious, but I’ll avoid them here as I didn’t have the opportunity to compare them side by side and with back-to-back driving impressions, nor any performance testing at the track. No matter, both are finding ready acceptance in the marketplace, and if you are considering one of them, I suggest you shop the other as well. I’m pleased to see less-than-huge, urban sized pickups making a well thought out, fun, and practical comeback. Hyundai does a great job at identifying and producing smart product niches, and has done so again with the handy, dandy, Sante Cruz.
