I'm a sports car guy. But realistically, I needed something with a bed, and something that would do well on a dirt road or in the rain/snow. Then I found this beauty. I'm a proud owner of a '24 Santa Cruz Night in Phantom Black. I am absolutely the type of person this truck is aimed at, and I absolutely love it. It's sporty, its comfortable, its classy, and in all black it is very muscular and aggressive looking. I mainly city/highway drive, so this is all the truck I need. It's like a sporty crossover with a bed and tailgate which I use all the time. All she needs is good AT tires and I'm set to hit the light trails and camping
That's the trim all the manufacturers put in their media fleets - they want to showcase all the bells and whistles; the media are rarely given a lower trim for reviews.
With incentives, prices of Santa Cruz SEL can be had below $30k. This is a better value than Maverick XLT which has less equipment and no discounts even if you can find one at dealership.
Just bought the wife a new 24 night edition.. at first I didn't like it. We went and test drove one and I changed my mind real quick! Comfortable, road noise is minimum, quick for what it is, mpg is great, handling is AWESOME I tested that out very thoroughly!!😎 The more I look at it, I like it even more!
We traded our 2017 Santa Fe Sport for a 2024 Santa Cruz SEL all wheel drive for my wife. We love it. She has her SC and I have my F-150 XLT Sport 5.0. We are both happy
I always wanted an El Camino, and this reminds me of that. I looked at the Mavrick and My last 5 cars were Ford and all I can say is it feels, sounds and looks Cheap but really isn't in price. Even when you level up in price to with higher trims the dash and interior are really the same as the base XL. All you get is slightly better looking seats a better sound system and better wheels. The Santa Cruz Interior is really nice and you don't feel like you are in a cheap Mini Truck.
Purchased the XRT version just this past Monday. Meets my needs far better than any larger truck. In fact, I traded a Chevy Colorado for this because of it.
Its really cool but i don't like the dual clutch all that does is noticeably raise the price with no real benefits, if this was a super car id say sure but in a truck it just isn't necessary. Also the giant wheels just dont fit on a vehicle of this type but otherwise its pretty cool
The Hyundia Santa Cruz reminds me of the Subaru Baja, from the body style to the available AWD and the turbocharged 4 cylinder. I keep seeing big interest in a second-generation Subaru Baja, but I don't believe we'll see a new Subaru Baja. The Santa Cruz XRT model looks dope and to me, it's almost like a Subaru Baja Wilderness edition.
I would've liked to seen you get out of the back seat and immediately go to the front passenger seat and show how much room you had. I really like the Santa Cruz but the back looks small.
It's certainly smaller than the Maverick. If you don't have back seat passengers often, who cares about comfort. If you do, the Maverick could be a better choice.
Hyundai list it as a SUV. It's literally built on the same platform as the Tucson. Maverick is built like a typical truck but the two compete for similar customers.
I am planning on buying one i need something for some hauling and love yhe rase of getting in snd out of it i have back issues and several things i like about it
It’s my favorite sedan with a truck bed Tucson is not as practical. I’d rather have a truck bed than a 3rd row for hauling, camping and popping a tent off the ground
What people perceive as jerky shifting does happen (at times) but that is the nature of DCTs (dry or wet) and isn't a "problem." If you don't like that, get something else.
I've got the first model year (2022) of the SC Limited. Conventional wisdom says don't ever buy the first model year, but after almost 2 years and 20K miles, I'm still loving this truck. The truck is an absolute blast to drive. It corners and handles like a sports car, as you said. And the turbo just goes - even when towing - supposedly 0-60 in 6 seconds. If you're going to tow, I think the turbo is an absolute must. It pulls my 22.5' pontoon boat out of the water up a steep ramp like nothing. While towing an ATV, I had to accelerate doing 70 mph to avoid a semi, and was up to 85mph in a few seconds. I love the look of the console, being all black and flat. And I've adjusted to having no knobs by using the controls on the steering wheel for controlling the radio. Having touch controls for the HVAC is no big deal once you've memorized where they're located. And having a screen dedicated to the HVAC is a real plus. I can tell at a glance what the temp is, what the fan is, and how the vents are set. I do keep a microfiber cloth in the console to wipe the fingerprints and dust from the console. The flat surface cleans up fast and easy. The SC also has a crazy amount of driver assistance tech, something that's not available on the Mav even at the top trim level. (I know, I researched both before deciding on the SC.) The one thing I've found most useful is the display for the speed limit, especially when I'm driving in unfamiliar areas. I don't think I could live without it anymore. There are three things that the SC lacks: 1) No driver seat memory. Having to readjust the seat and find that perfect sweet spot again after my wife has driven it is a pain. 2) Not having an electric power rear window is also a pain. I literally have to plan ahead if I think I'm going to want to use it while driving. 3) No armrest in the back seat with integrated cupholders. As the cupholders in the door are virtually useless, I had to improvise a cupholder on the floor behind the center console, the location of which is actually convenient for the front seat occupants if they have more than one drink. I've never owned a vehicle that has garnered more looks and more compliments from complete strangers than this one, even after two years of it being on the market. And I've never owned a vehicle that's this much fun to drive.
My problem with what you said is that if you get the turbo you have to get the unreliable crapbox DCT. If you _need_ to tow more than the base tow figure then get a different vehicle. That DCT is going to blow up on you
@@ram89572 I agree that the DCT is less than desirable. If I had a choice, I'd have opted for a traditional torque converter trans. I find the DCT to be clunky at startup and slow speeds It also often rolls backwards / forwards when shifting out of park, before the clutch catches. It probably will blowup at some point. I just hope I'm not on the side of the road somewhere in the hinterlands. I guess I'll find out how good Hyundai's roadside assistance and 100k mile warranty are. Interestingly, my wife has a 2023 Santa Fe, same engine and DCT as the Cruz, and it operates completely differently than the Cruz. You would never know it has a DCT. It's not clunky; it doesn't roll. Wholly different experience. Which makes me wonder - is it the physical trans, or is it the software that controls it, that causes these to operate so differently?
2.5l turbo or non-turbo putting out 281 hp w the turbo. DCT uses 8 gears and is a quiet vehicle. The DCT does have some instances where it takes a split second longer to go from 1st to 2nd but that's the nature of DCTs. It's like a "slow shift" using a manual transmission when someone holds the clutch in longer. You either get accustomed to how it works or you don't.
ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I own one. 2022 SE and upgraded 2024 SEL w/Activity Package. Best Car I ever owned. I'm 63 years old.
I'm a sports car guy. But realistically, I needed something with a bed, and something that would do well on a dirt road or in the rain/snow.
Then I found this beauty. I'm a proud owner of a '24 Santa Cruz Night in Phantom Black. I am absolutely the type of person this truck is aimed at, and I absolutely love it.
It's sporty, its comfortable, its classy, and in all black it is very muscular and aggressive looking. I mainly city/highway drive, so this is all the truck I need. It's like a sporty crossover with a bed and tailgate which I use all the time.
All she needs is good AT tires and I'm set to hit the light trails and camping
Why does everyone review the high end model when most people buy the lower end models?
I agree 💯
That's the trim all the manufacturers put in their media fleets - they want to showcase all the bells and whistles; the media are rarely given a lower trim for reviews.
With incentives, prices of Santa Cruz SEL can be had below $30k. This is a better value than Maverick XLT which has less equipment and no discounts even if you can find one at dealership.
Just bought the wife a new 24 night edition.. at first I didn't like it. We went and test drove one and I changed my mind real quick!
Comfortable, road noise is minimum, quick for what it is, mpg is great, handling is AWESOME I tested that out very thoroughly!!😎
The more I look at it, I like it even more!
We traded our 2017 Santa Fe Sport for a 2024 Santa Cruz SEL all wheel drive for my wife. We love it. She has her SC and I have my F-150 XLT Sport 5.0. We are both happy
I have a 23 F150 coyote and we just bought the wife a 24 Night Edition.. I like the SC.. it's a very nice, very well built vehicle!
I always wanted an El Camino, and this reminds me of that. I looked at the Mavrick and My last 5 cars were Ford and all I can say is it feels, sounds and looks Cheap but really isn't in price. Even when you level up in price to with higher trims the dash and interior are really the same as the base XL. All you get is slightly better looking seats a better sound system and better wheels. The Santa Cruz Interior is really nice and you don't feel like you are in a cheap Mini Truck.
Purchased the XRT version just this past Monday. Meets my needs far better than any larger truck. In fact, I traded a Chevy Colorado for this because of it.
Its really cool but i don't like the dual clutch all that does is noticeably raise the price with no real benefits, if this was a super car id say sure but in a truck it just isn't necessary. Also the giant wheels just dont fit on a vehicle of this type but otherwise its pretty cool
The Hyundia Santa Cruz reminds me of the Subaru Baja, from the body style to the available AWD and the turbocharged 4 cylinder. I keep seeing big interest in a second-generation Subaru Baja, but I don't believe we'll see a new Subaru Baja. The Santa Cruz XRT model looks dope and to me, it's almost like a Subaru Baja Wilderness edition.
wow the engine compartment is packed
I would've liked to seen you get out of the back seat and immediately go to the front passenger seat and show how much room you had.
I really like the Santa Cruz but the back looks small.
It's certainly smaller than the Maverick. If you don't have back seat passengers often, who cares about comfort. If you do, the Maverick could be a better choice.
Looking forward to the 2025 Limited in Black
Hyundai list it as a SUV. It's literally built on the same platform as the Tucson. Maverick is built like a typical truck but the two compete for similar customers.
Looks amazing 🤩
I am planning on buying one i need something for some hauling and love yhe rase of getting in snd out of it i have back issues and several things i like about it
It’s my favorite sedan with a truck bed Tucson is not as practical. I’d rather have a truck bed than a 3rd row for hauling, camping and popping a tent off the ground
Exactly, I just traded in my 2024 Tucson HEV for a 2024 Santa Cruz just for a better towing capability and features.
These are awesome as long as u don't get the Dual Clutch Transmission they say !
What people perceive as jerky shifting does happen (at times) but that is the nature of DCTs (dry or wet) and isn't a "problem." If you don't like that, get something else.
@@ScubaSteveCanada The jerky shift isn't the main problem, its them failing in less then 20,000 miles !
I've got the first model year (2022) of the SC Limited. Conventional wisdom says don't ever buy the first model year, but after almost 2 years and 20K miles, I'm still loving this truck.
The truck is an absolute blast to drive. It corners and handles like a sports car, as you said. And the turbo just goes - even when towing - supposedly 0-60 in 6 seconds.
If you're going to tow, I think the turbo is an absolute must. It pulls my 22.5' pontoon boat out of the water up a steep ramp like nothing. While towing an ATV, I had to accelerate doing 70 mph to avoid a semi, and was up to 85mph in a few seconds.
I love the look of the console, being all black and flat. And I've adjusted to having no knobs by using the controls on the steering wheel for controlling the radio. Having touch controls for the HVAC is no big deal once you've memorized where they're located. And having a screen dedicated to the HVAC is a real plus. I can tell at a glance what the temp is, what the fan is, and how the vents are set. I do keep a microfiber cloth in the console to wipe the fingerprints and dust from the console. The flat surface cleans up fast and easy.
The SC also has a crazy amount of driver assistance tech, something that's not available on the Mav even at the top trim level. (I know, I researched both before deciding on the SC.) The one thing I've found most useful is the display for the speed limit, especially when I'm driving in unfamiliar areas. I don't think I could live without it anymore.
There are three things that the SC lacks:
1) No driver seat memory. Having to readjust the seat and find that perfect sweet spot again after my wife has driven it is a pain.
2) Not having an electric power rear window is also a pain. I literally have to plan ahead if I think I'm going to want to use it while driving.
3) No armrest in the back seat with integrated cupholders. As the cupholders in the door are virtually useless, I had to improvise a cupholder on the floor behind the center console, the location of which is actually convenient for the front seat occupants if they have more than one drink.
I've never owned a vehicle that has garnered more looks and more compliments from complete strangers than this one, even after two years of it being on the market. And I've never owned a vehicle that's this much fun to drive.
On our second one after a hit and run on the first one. Agree with everything you said.
My problem with what you said is that if you get the turbo you have to get the unreliable crapbox DCT. If you _need_ to tow more than the base tow figure then get a different vehicle. That DCT is going to blow up on you
@@ram89572 I agree that the DCT is less than desirable. If I had a choice, I'd have opted for a traditional torque converter trans. I find the DCT to be clunky at startup and slow speeds It also often rolls backwards / forwards when shifting out of park, before the clutch catches. It probably will blowup at some point. I just hope I'm not on the side of the road somewhere in the hinterlands. I guess I'll find out how good Hyundai's roadside assistance and 100k mile warranty are.
Interestingly, my wife has a 2023 Santa Fe, same engine and DCT as the Cruz, and it operates completely differently than the Cruz. You would never know it has a DCT. It's not clunky; it doesn't roll. Wholly different experience. Which makes me wonder - is it the physical trans, or is it the software that controls it, that causes these to operate so differently?
I bought that one
Love it
To small.. I just bought a base Honda Ridgeline sport for 38,000 out the door and it is nicer add roomier and has a V6 and comes with all-wheel drive
Ridgeline is a bit too small. Toyota Tundra with actual 4x4 for me.
...prefer a Ford Maverick?
Can't get them in my part of Canada. The Santa Cruz is in stock at many dealers. The SC is also built in America.
Over price ! it is Tucson with open trunk. Very less information about engine and transmission
2.5l turbo or non-turbo putting out 281 hp w the turbo. DCT uses 8 gears and is a quiet vehicle. The DCT does have some instances where it takes a split second longer to go from 1st to 2nd but that's the nature of DCTs. It's like a "slow shift" using a manual transmission when someone holds the clutch in longer. You either get accustomed to how it works or you don't.
Go with the SEL….. the transmission and wireless CarPlay is above everything else offered on the higher end models.
That DCT is hot garbage!