What's your favorite thing about the Hyundai Santa Cruz?
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WORST

1 - no volume knob on the center stack

Is this going to be a huge deal to you if you own the car? Maybe not, but more than once I got in the car in the morning and the energy and volume I had the night before did not match the energy i had in the morning

And i found myself looking for a volume knob to quickly turn it down but no dice…just a bunch presses or toggles on the steering wheel

2 - no WIRELESS car play

This is kind of a nit pick and a fringe issue. The only reason i have it on the negative list is that this is the range-topping limited trim and as tested it’s over 40k so it’s a good chunk of change

So at this price and trim i might expect wireless car play

3 - rear seats aren’t super big

This is a problem for really anyone over like 5’6”. It’s really cramped in terms of legroom back here

The headroom is fine, but with a 4 foot bed and being as compact as it is, they had to borrow space from somewhere

Also it’s really dark back here. No pano roof and the shape of the rear door doesn't leave a lot of window

You DO get USB-Cs back here though and climate vents

4 - doesnt offer a hybrid like the Maverick

This is one shortcoming of the Santa Cruz…simply the choice not to offer a hybrid

Hyundai has an array of hybrid AND plugIns in their lineup, and yet they don’t offer a hybrid

Of course a hybrid would be more pricey and the Santa Cruz is already more expensive than the Maverick so maybe they didnt want to pile on

HOWEVER, the 22 mpg combined is a lower figure than i’d expect while the Maverick is closer to 40

5 - it’s pricey

Yeah as tested with the turbo engine and the limited trim it’s over 40k
And that’s a lot moe than a maverick but it’s a lot more car than the maverick

You get loads more features
The interior is nicer
You get more payload
More towing

Idk to me the extra money might be worth it

BEST

1 - it’s weird

That’s my favorite thing. It’s a weird concept from an unexpected manufacturer and it triggers truck people which is always fun


2 - The ride is really good

It’s unibody…unlike a conventional pickup so the suspension is more refined, the steering is better, and it handles bumps better…and most importantly this week…it comes with full time AWD and it’s been very good on ice

Also you do have a nice high seating position like you would in a truck

3 - It’s quick

This is the upgraded turbo engine which means 280 hp and 311 lbft
With that and AWD traction 0-60 is done in just 6 seconds
The turbo effect is very apparent here as well, once it’s spooled up you GO
It’s a tsunami of torque

4 - The bed

Yeah no duh it’s small - it’s 4 feet
But you bought the tiny truck so what did you expect?
Still fits my snowboard so im good
Payload 1750 lbs…pretty impressive..more than maverick
But there’s a bunch of added practicality and useability here
For one they all come wit these tonneau covers
They all come with a bed liner
You get these two cubbies on either side of the bed
It’s got a 120V outlet
You get hooks and tie downs
AND you get the incognito pouch which is something every truck-that-truck-people-wouldnt call-a-truck should have
The incognito pounch also has a drain so you can tailgate next a Silverado owner and make them mad while you get cold beers from your little hidden bed pouch

5 - towing

With the upgraded turbo engine we have here we can tow up to 5000 lbs
Thats the same as my old 4runner…not bad

Plus little bed steps here in the rear bumper

5 - the face

It’s a tucson until a tucson pulls up…or you look at the side
But the grille and hidden running lights are cool..idk why but again weird and i like that

6 - Interior

It’s again very tucson in here which means nice low dash
Clean design
Comfy seats
Heated and cooled seats
Heated steering wheel
10 inch Digital cluster
10 inch screen
It’s all very nice

7 - tech

You get car play and yes it’s wired but you also get HDAS which is a top 3 or 5 autopilot system and we constantly praise the hyundai driver assist tech
Plus quiet mode
And sounds of nature…classic

6 - easter eggs

Triangles
Santa cruzes everywhere
Rear bumper
Bed sides
Each wheel arch