I was nervous about my SC being able to do any real work off road after watching the TFL videos. Last February however, I was able to go down some super sketchy, slushy, snowy fire trails to recover a motorcycle. I had to turn off TC, SC, turn on the "dif lock" option, and drive in lower gears but it did the job and I had fun doing it. Glad I gave these things a chance!
The weakest link of any SC is the set of tires that it comes with from the factory. If you plan on making this kind of adventuring a regular occurrence, I highly recommend you get a set of more appropriate tires like Falken Wildpeak ATs or something along those lines. Thanks for the video!
Just an FYI, its front wheel drive bias, meaning it will put power to the rear wheels if the HTRAC control unit deems it necessary so its never locked in just FWD. If you set the screen to view the power distribution you will see its using awd constantly, even on paved roads. the center locking clutch just forces it to give 50% to the rear wheels until it hits about 36mph. All this is in the manual. Other than that fun little video!
This video helped me decide to buy my SC. I was hesitant to buy due to the SC's off-road performances as shown in other videos, but this video showed how capable it actually is. After driving my own up and through a similar trail a couple of times, I can attest to the SC's ability to handle moderately challenging off-road conditions if needed. No, the SC isn't as capable as a lot of other trucks, but if you need an ON-road utility (in the true sense of the word) vehicle that rides and drives well, and has good fuel economy, but can also handle light truck work and light off-road conditions, this is it.....
Loved this video, thank you so much for recording this experience, I have the SC. Same model SEL with Htrac and I too see all these videos that say it sucks off-road and I just couldn’t in mind accept it for some reason. I’m glad that seeing this has reassured me of what this truck is capable of. Also where’s the cringe lol?
If you notice all the ones they use off road are the ones with a turbo and the dct trans which isn't worth a shit off road. The DCT trans can't handle the abuse. All it does is over heats and burns up. I have a 2024 SEL and love it. Has all kinds of power and don't have to wait for the turbo to spool up for 60 seconds before the motor will do anything. AS far as I am concerned it is the best little truck on the market.
First decent test I've seen so far. Solid video. Everyone keeps making these things look incapable but my base model so far has been a lot of fun in easy off road settings. Meaty tires and this would about perfect
This is fine off-road if you are careful as you were. Good job! Did ok in the mud as well. This is way better than the garbage dct. You made a good choice.
@ 10:00 man you had me sweatin 😅 I know a lot of UA-camrs say they pushed this truck hard during their reviews but none of ‘em took it THIS far (that I saw). VERY impressive. Glad your partner was having fun too 😂 I think my wife is gonna try to take my SC one of these days…..
See, that's the difference between your Santa Cruz vs the press vehicles that's out there with the turbo and DCT. Most have surmised that your regular torque converter automatic is better suited to offroading than the press vehicles that have the DCT. Most publications that have pushed it have overheated the DCT transmission or worse. Your video is one of the first confirmations that the regular torque converter automatic in yours is better suited for actually fulfilling the "adventure" part of Hyundai's "Sport Adventure Vehicle" tagline.
2" lift kit with some taller tires will make you at ease my friend. Not having the DCT and Turbo is the wat to go. Youre next video should be to haul a trailer with some nice weight in it
A bit late to the party, but every video I've noticed that do a "Santa Cruz Off-Road" blah blah, they use the stock tires on their videos. Those tires are meant specifically FOR the road. If you're doing any all terrain travelling with the SC, please for the love of god change them out. I got a '24 SEL with some TOYO Open Country A/T III's (stock size which is 245/60R18), I changed them out as soon as I bought the car, and from the research I've done, 90% of the battle is specifically because of the tires. They sing a bit bit I've tested it in sand and it crawls right out. If you're in snow/sand/mud, use the "Snow" mode so you get an easier feel for it, and for people who've never bought this car, please get an AWD, don't F around getting the FWD. the AWD's are in extremely high demand. On top of all this info, people are tending to look more towards the fancier models and not the cheaper models, in which the "Wet Clutch" or "DTC" as it's actually called, is more for on the road, and isn't as good as the original transmission from the research I've done. It is also noted that the DTC has faults, and kills the transmission at 2k-30k miles. and to put the icing on the cake, no one hardly is deflating the tires at all, just running this completely at stock and giving them a poor review stating "This truck is garbage for offroad." This is all the information you will need if you want to buy a SC, and feel free to take this info with a grain of salt because I have yet to test my personal vehicle.
Glove box factory. Manuel tells Reduce load on bed numbers people. Can. Good advice. Brake cal for. Certain weight. Little truck 3 people 600 pounds. Um. .
@@ulisestorres22 ah nice im also from el paso i just got my sc yesterday it drives so smooth ngl. also have you took your sc to red sands if so how is it there?
@@GhOsTsGeNeRaL I have taken it to red sands and it feels smooth but it could use some all terrains. Honestly a lot of the reviews I hear is bad but it’s just the tires with better tires this th thing could do really good and with a lift even better
It’s always in AWD. There’s a locker of sorts that will force it into AWD full time at lower speeds. Other than that the AWD system will kick in as needed. That’s probably what he was talking about.
I have the sel premium. No off roading for it. I like the performance of the 2.5 turbo and the dct. But i would not take it out an try tearing it up. I have a beater for that. The santa cruz regardless which model is not built for off roading. But i guess you will have to live an learn young man
Congrats on your SEL Premium! I’m glad I went with the non turbo and traditional 8-speed auto to avoid any potential issues with the turbo or dual clutch. I wouldn’t recommend one try this type of off-roading in their Santa Cruz, but it sure is nice to know how capable it is. Not a scratch on mine anywhere and not torn up at all in any way after this adventure. What I am learning is what this vehicle is truly capable of the longer I own it.
BIGGEST CRINGE AT 9:30!
Interesting track. I would love to see how a 2008 Sport Trac would fair here. I bet it would do better.
I was nervous about my SC being able to do any real work off road after watching the TFL videos. Last February however, I was able to go down some super sketchy, slushy, snowy fire trails to recover a motorcycle. I had to turn off TC, SC, turn on the "dif lock" option, and drive in lower gears but it did the job and I had fun doing it. Glad I gave these things a chance!
The weakest link of any SC is the set of tires that it comes with from the factory. If you plan on making this kind of adventuring a regular occurrence, I highly recommend you get a set of more appropriate tires like Falken Wildpeak ATs or something along those lines. Thanks for the video!
Just an FYI, its front wheel drive bias, meaning it will put power to the rear wheels if the HTRAC control unit deems it necessary so its never locked in just FWD. If you set the screen to view the power distribution you will see its using awd constantly, even on paved roads. the center locking clutch just forces it to give 50% to the rear wheels until it hits about 36mph. All this is in the manual. Other than that fun little video!
This video helped me decide to buy my SC. I was hesitant to buy due to the SC's off-road performances as shown in other videos, but this video showed how capable it actually is. After driving my own up and through a similar trail a couple of times, I can attest to the SC's ability to handle moderately challenging off-road conditions if needed.
No, the SC isn't as capable as a lot of other trucks, but if you need an ON-road utility (in the true sense of the word) vehicle that rides and drives well, and has good fuel economy, but can also handle light truck work and light off-road conditions, this is it.....
Just needs better tires
I haven’t tested it yet but apparently snow mode helps with mud as well
Loved this video, thank you so much for recording this experience, I have the SC. Same model SEL with Htrac and I too see all these videos that say it sucks off-road and I just couldn’t in mind accept it for some reason. I’m glad that seeing this has reassured me of what this truck is capable of. Also where’s the cringe lol?
Think he meant more of a suspenseful cringe, not the typical YT cringe 😅
If you notice all the ones they use off road are the ones with a turbo and the dct trans which isn't worth a shit off road. The DCT trans can't handle the abuse. All it does is over heats and burns up. I have a 2024 SEL and love it. Has all kinds of power and don't have to wait for the turbo to spool up for 60 seconds before the motor will do anything. AS far as I am concerned it is the best little truck on the market.
First decent test I've seen so far. Solid video. Everyone keeps making these things look incapable but my base model so far has been a lot of fun in easy off road settings. Meaty tires and this would about perfect
This is fine off-road if you are careful as you were. Good job! Did ok in the mud as well. This is way better than the garbage dct. You made a good choice.
Check out the BF Goodrich Trail Terrain tires. A great upgrade for the Santa Cruz. I put them on my Tucson Hybrid. Boosted my off roady confidence!
So you don't have to fear the coming winter. 😉
I have the exact same trim as you so thank you for sharing this it gave me perspective
@ 10:00 man you had me sweatin 😅 I know a lot of UA-camrs say they pushed this truck hard during their reviews but none of ‘em took it THIS far (that I saw). VERY impressive.
Glad your partner was having fun too 😂 I think my wife is gonna try to take my SC one of these days…..
Are you sure about that?? I have a 2023 SEL Premium.
See, that's the difference between your Santa Cruz vs the press vehicles that's out there with the turbo and DCT. Most have surmised that your regular torque converter automatic is better suited to offroading than the press vehicles that have the DCT. Most publications that have pushed it have overheated the DCT transmission or worse. Your video is one of the first confirmations that the regular torque converter automatic in yours is better suited for actually fulfilling the "adventure" part of Hyundai's "Sport Adventure Vehicle" tagline.
2" lift kit with some taller tires will make you at ease my friend. Not having the DCT and Turbo is the wat to go. Youre next video should be to haul a trailer with some nice weight in it
I agree. I have the base model and I don't have the same issues off road that the other folks seem to have
I moved round bale hay. Did fine.horse pastures. Mud factory. Tires upgrade to truck ltds. Worked wonders.
Nice driving and on street tires too.... The Non turbo with the 8 speed non DTC is clearly the way to go. Thanks for this.
Thank you! Happy to hear you enjoyed the video :)
Time to learn left foot breaking. You would have gone right over the obstacles without wheel spin. Wheel spin is what causes broken CV axles.
A bit late to the party, but every video I've noticed that do a "Santa Cruz Off-Road" blah blah, they use the stock tires on their videos. Those tires are meant specifically FOR the road. If you're doing any all terrain travelling with the SC, please for the love of god change them out. I got a '24 SEL with some TOYO Open Country A/T III's (stock size which is 245/60R18), I changed them out as soon as I bought the car, and from the research I've done, 90% of the battle is specifically because of the tires. They sing a bit bit I've tested it in sand and it crawls right out. If you're in snow/sand/mud, use the "Snow" mode so you get an easier feel for it, and for people who've never bought this car, please get an AWD, don't F around getting the FWD. the AWD's are in extremely high demand. On top of all this info, people are tending to look more towards the fancier models and not the cheaper models, in which the "Wet Clutch" or "DTC" as it's actually called, is more for on the road, and isn't as good as the original transmission from the research I've done. It is also noted that the DTC has faults, and kills the transmission at 2k-30k miles. and to put the icing on the cake, no one hardly is deflating the tires at all, just running this completely at stock and giving them a poor review stating "This truck is garbage for offroad." This is all the information you will need if you want to buy a SC, and feel free to take this info with a grain of salt because I have yet to test my personal vehicle.
Excellent! Thanks for sharing your adventures.
Could you try it again with better off road tires?
I was on that same trail last weekend. Gave my SC a kiss lol.
Curious as to how much a Santa Cruz can haul in the bed? Check out my video of Hauling 2,000 LBS of Gravel!
Glove box factory. Manuel tells
Reduce load on bed numbers people. Can. Good advice. Brake cal for. Certain weight. Little truck 3 people 600 pounds. Um. .
Nice cant wait to get my sc next week i wonder how it will handle soft sand off roading
I live in El Paso and that’s all we have here as far as trails and it has tackled some things that have left me impressed
@@ulisestorres22 ah nice im also from el paso i just got my sc yesterday it drives so smooth ngl. also have you took your sc to red sands if so how is it there?
@@GhOsTsGeNeRaL I have taken it to red sands and it feels smooth but it could use some all terrains. Honestly a lot of the reviews I hear is bad but it’s just the tires with better tires this th thing could do really good and with a lift even better
@@ulisestorres22 ah ok thank you
It will do fine on gravel and easy mountain roads.
I can smell the transmission burning from where I'm at @8:30
Man I treated my Santa Cruz lot harder than that those tiny hills I jumped it mine 1:25 couple times
Why would you not put it in AWD from the beginning?
It’s always in AWD. There’s a locker of sorts that will force it into AWD full time at lower speeds. Other than that the AWD system will kick in as needed. That’s probably what he was talking about.
Did u know that the subscribe button glows up when someone say the word subscribe
2 in lift and bf Goodrich 265 60 18 tires that's what I did with mine
What is your MPG at now? Curious.
@Ja1MeazZing I lost a little bit. I was getting 29 now around 26 27
I have the sel premium. No off roading for it. I like the performance of the 2.5 turbo and the dct. But i would not take it out an try tearing it up. I have a beater for that. The santa cruz regardless which model is not built for off roading. But i guess you will have to live an learn young man
Congrats on your SEL Premium! I’m glad I went with the non turbo and traditional 8-speed auto to avoid any potential issues with the turbo or dual clutch. I wouldn’t recommend one try this type of off-roading in their Santa Cruz, but it sure is nice to know how capable it is. Not a scratch on mine anywhere and not torn up at all in any way after this adventure. What I am learning is what this vehicle is truly capable of the longer I own it.
It will go off-road. Not the dual clutch however
@@billricheter5678 Are you sure?
Looks great
Gosh if I were you, I would get sexier wheels. Who buys a special looking vehicle and than drives around with generic rims??
I have the SEL Premium
Hilarious video
Lock it into 4wd
Ok❤
🤨😏😉
Very stupid to take a new vehicle and do this crap.