The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a distinctive and versatile crossover that blurs the lines between a modern SUV and pickup truck. With a standout exterior design, the Santa Cruz is a fusion of functionality and urban style that’s always fun to drive. Its flexible rear bed and extensive cargo space make it the ideal companion for city commuting and light off-road exploration.
In this article, our team at Dublin Hyundai takes a closer look at the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz. We consider its performance and fuel economy, interior and exterior specs, and design. We also explore any updates to technology, interior comfort, and advanced safety features so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The Santa Cruz, one of the most exciting in Hyundai’s new lineup, is available with two trim-dependent powertrains to suit different driving needs. You can expect a 191 hp naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) in the lower SE and SEL trims. This base engine is efficient on city streets, producing 181 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims, including the Night option and up, pack the peppy 281 hp turbo-four with AWD that can accelerate to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds. This more powerful engine converts the Santa Cruz into a fantastic highway cruiser.
Shorter and lower than rivals, the Santa Cruz is easy to maneuver. Yet, its 8.6 inches of ground clearance and front skid plates make it the ideal weekend adventurer. It boasts responsive handling and a smooth driving experience. Fuel efficiency depends on the trim and the engine beneath the hood. The baseline four offers 22 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with FWD. This drops slightly with AWD to 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The turbo engine achieves 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Specs and Design
The new model year boasts a sporty and stylish new look for 2024. The modern design gives the vehicle a bold and athletic stance, accentuated by sleek, sculpted lines and an aerodynamic profile. LED daytime running lights are incorporated into the front grille. The 2024 model doesn’t have the typical body-on-frame structure you’d find with a traditional pickup truck. Instead, it’s equipped with a body structure that feels like a car. While the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is smaller than most midsize trucks, it offers an impressive capability that may suit truck lovers.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes with an open bed, trim-dependent 18- or 20-inch alloy wheels, and a shark-fin roof antenna standard on all trims. Higher trims have an even more luxury feel with dark lower fascias and dark chrome accent grille and tailgate handles. Inside, the cabin has one of the most refined interiors for its segment, with premium materials regardless of the trim level. However, the higher you go, the nicer the interior. The XRT and up boast a leather-wrapped steering wheel, the Limited has leather-trimmed upholstery, and dual-zone climate control is available on all but the SE.
Technology Used
One of the perks of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the sheer level of standard technology you can expect. The two base trims come equipped with an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system. The higher trims have an upgraded 10-3-inch display as standard with high-definition graphics that are visible even in broad daylight. Handy features include wireless device charging and connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Hyundai’s Blue Link services come free for three years. The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the first in its segment to offer a fully digital gauge cluster. When you choose a trim with the base four-cylinder engine, the Santa Cruz can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Upgrading to the turbocharged engine will increase your capacity to 5,000 pounds. For the most enhanced experience, choose the Limited to enjoy a standard ultra-premium Bose sound system.
Comfort and Convenience
The 2024 Santa Cruz comes in a four-door crew cab that seats up to five people comfortably. It offers ample headroom and legroom for the driver and front seat passengers, albeit slightly reduced headroom compared to the 2023 model. The base model comes with a six-way adjustable driver seat, but higher trims feature an eight-way power adjustable driver seat and power lumbar support. The back seat offers average legroom and headroom for the segment but may be tight for longer-legged adults.
Whether you’re the driver, front passenger, or rear passenger, you’ll find the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz delivers a smooth and comfortable ride with minimal bumps and vibrations. The multipurpose 4-foot rear bed, however, is one of the shortest on the market. What it lacks in size, it makes up in versatility with a hydraulic tailgate, lockable tonneau cover, tie-down cleats, a 115-volt outlet, and a convenient under-bed storage compartment with a drain plug. It’s made from durable and low-maintenance composite material that comes standard, which is a great perk compared to other pickup trucks.
Safety Features
Equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, the Santa Cruz has always offered an array of driver-assistance technology to keep you safe on the roads. There aren’t many updates for the new model, but it now includes LED headlamps for extra visibility. The 2024 model year boasts forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist as standard on the base trims. Opt for the higher trims to unlock more advanced safety features such as highway driving assist, navigation-based smart cruise control with curve control, and intelligent speed limit assist.
Schedule a Test Drive Today
Rev up your enthusiasm for the upcoming lineup of new Hyundai vehicles, including the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Each new model boasts cutting-edge technology, a sleek design, and a commitment to revolutionize your driving experience. Call or visit our dealership in Dublin, California, today to be among the first to experience Hyundai’s stunning new lineup firsthand, browse our range of new cars, or schedule a service.
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