I think as long as people think of this in terms of increased passenger car capabilities instead of reduced pickup truck capabilities it makes alot of sense for the general use daily driveable type of small ute.
These types of vehicles I'd push to people who normally drive a regular crossover but haul stuff they really don't want to put in the cargo area of their crossover or SUV...nice you can put messy stuff in the bed of a Santa Cruz or the Ford Maverick, unload it and drive through a car wash or use a garden hose to wash out the bed, can't really do that with an SUV or crossover, at least not without destroying the carpet LOL.
This thing is perfect for me. I don't need a full truck that could tow a house. I just need something I can rely on to not fall off the road when it snows.
@@mikeoxlong3676 Ooh good point, yeah hauling fuel in my Bronco 2 sucks LOL...no matter what you do you end up with the fuel smell in your vehicle and good luck getting rid of the smell, and diesel is the worst LOL.
We test drove a Santa Cruz and were really impressed by the whole package. Perfect for city dwellers! Your off road course is great too! Really shows what vehicles can and can't do.
One of the best reviews I've watched on the Santa Cruz. As a potential buyer/leaser of this vehicle, I've got to say that it did better on that course than I thought it would, particularly given that it's on 20" all seasons. That's more of an off road challenge than I would ever attempt to put my Santa Cruz through come the time I get one.
Cool looking truck. The "off road" test is always welcomed. No AWD is every going to compare to true 4x4 especially with a locker, also most of the cross overs lack ground clearance for true off roading. That being said, if they had decent tires on it will still make a big difference. Lastly, where these AWD systems excel is in snow conditions.
My SEL has a manual volume and channel selector. Just purchased July 23rd, 2022. Never thought my wife would be interested in this truck, but after she visited our local Hyundai dealership, she told me to get my butt over there to sign papers.
@@lolotus4borderless yes I know, but he presented the powerful engine with a double clutch, I would've liked to see the powerful engine offered with a traditional trany as well. But most of all I would love & buy an awd PHEV version if they have one in the making.
My knee jerk reaction to the price as tested was complete shock but watching the review it really does include alot. I like the interior design it seems really appropriate for the vehicle without being overly stylized. LOVED the shots with the wind turbine behind the hill!!!
You know what I would love to see manufacturers do with press cars ? Give them in pairs , one top level trim and one mid level . For one most people are going to buy mid level and for two when someone like you gets ahold of it they know it’s going to be tested off road so it would be really interesting to see the difference between the two . I have a feeling a low-mid trim would wipe the floor with the highest trim for most all crossover suv .
@@drivingsports We've been looking for a base SE AWD model, seems virtually zero inventory in the whole country, lol! The ones you can get have big dealer markups on them. :(
I’ve been getting around 37 on the highway with my Santa Cruz limited. The 27 hyundai says is extremely low. Even when you’re not trying that hard I can get easily into the 30s on the highway with it.
The visor mirrors ARE illuminated - the light is in the roof. At least it is on my Ultimate (Limited equivalent in Canada). I love this thing, but agree with you about the touch sensitive console. I'd rather have buttons and knobs. I do find the reverse cross-traffic mitigation stuff WAY too aggressive. I was trying to back out of a parking space in a lot that runs alongside a street (think standard mini/strip mall scenario) and it just SLAMMED the brakes because there were cars on the street way back behind me. Well over a car length back. I commute with this 200km (about 120 miles) every day, and it's a fantastic long-range driver. The semi-autonomous features are really nice, as is the adaptive cruise. Great power for passing on 2-lane roads too. It's precisely what I wanted - small, SUV comfort, great driving characteristics, and does a little bit of truck stuff when I need it. Yeah, it was a bit more expensive than I'd have liked, but worth every penny.
The SEL Premium trim gets you the turbo engine and AWD, with rotary (barrel shaped) controls for audio and tuning, plus tabs for HVAC. No leather though.
I think i was truck king, on their tow test video that said it will pull off the line in AWD regardless of setting. To help with towing. They only did a 2000 lb pontoon boat but were impressed with how it performed. Love you're work Ryan.
Yes off the line the Santa Cruz sends power to the rear. There’s a gauge on the dash to show you where powers going. On the highway it’s almost all fwd unless you get on it. I’ve been impressed with my Santa Cruz’s power, it’ll never replace my F250 but it’s a great truck for days when I don’t need the F250.
😳 This brain dead reviewer literally said that it doesn't seem like a good idea to tow something that weighs more than the tow vehicle! 🤦🏾♂️ A statement never said by any truck owner ever! 🤷🏾♂️
@@freddywayneThat’s literally the law, and physics will teach you real quick why you don’t want to exceed the tow vehicle weight. The only dum one here, is you.
Great video as always Ryan! I think it's good that this is distinct to the Maverick in a few ways and gives buyers the option to choose which they like better. It's boring to make vehicles too similar to each other.
Yeah, this vehicle really shines where (for me especially) it'll be spending 99% of it's time - that is - on the road. It's on road manners, and acceleration make it an easy jump from a car. I'd get the ability to haul things when needed, all weather and light off road capability, without sacrificing it all to leaf springs and live axles.
2000+ miles into my new limited Santa Cruz and I have to say, THIS THING IS AWESOME! I spent about 20 hours in research before purchasing mine in Somersworth, NH and its still more car/truck/SUV than I had expected. It’s a very luxurious sports car with tons of power... has the interior space and convenience of an SUV... as well as a super functional truck bed for most of your home, yard, work and play/hobbie/activity needs and tasks. Hyundai nailed it on this one. Everywhere I go this thing is snapping heads around. Great overall value. I highly recommend checking this thing out if your even moderately interested or even curious... you won’t be disappointed.
I have watched 20+ hours on this vehicle too. Went for a test drive and now have a preorder in for the 2023 model which I'm hoping to get in the next 3 months. It's going to be a loooong wait lol. Really happy to have read your comment though. Every point you made perfectly solidifies my purchase choice
@@1976axerhand No issues with the transmission by my standards. It is incredibly responsive even factoring in the nearly unnoticeable delay due to electronic controls. Some of the reviews on UA-cam had made mention of a “shudder” in the transmission. I have noticed what I believe they were talking about, but only twice in the 6,000 +\- miles I’ve driven so far… and only in very specific conditions. From a stop at a traffic light, pressure on the brake pedal, vehicle in front of me… the light changes to green, I let off the brake and gently apply pressure to the gas pedal, the car in front of me is not as quick to respond, so I remove pressure from the gas pedal… there was an ever so slight, just barely noticeable stutter felt in the drivetrain. I’m guessing it had something to do with the computer trying to determine my actual intentions. But again, I’ve only noticed it twice (in the exact same conditions) and it so minuscule that it would likely go unnoticed to someone who wasn’t actively trying to find something “wrong” (as I have been since I got the car). Hope that helps
I drove mine in deep snow last winter and I was very impressed. Absolutely LOVE my Santa Cruz! I used to own an Eddie Bauer edition Ford Explorer and I'm 100% Hyundai loyalist today. I also used to like Honda and wouldn't be caught dead in a Ridgeline.
i love how all the videos on this vehicle start at the base price of $26K or so and then test drive the $41K limited version....night and day between the 2 vehicles and i don't think too many are going to get the base model after they see all the options on the SEL and Limited models.....leather seats don't come with anything but the limited which is a downer and Tonneau cover is included in a $3500 options adventure package.....you lose a foot of bed space with the cover...I really wanted to like this vehicle and I do love the look of it but when I see all the options that price it out of the avg driver's budget, i won't be getting it just yet...if the leather seats came with the SEL premium, they might have had me but they cost 3-4K more for that package...you get 20 inch tires with the limited too but such a simple but popular option of leather seats is pretty pricey....too bad Hyundai didn't think about the upper middle buyer for this vehicle because from the outside, it looks fantastic
I have a feeling the standard 2.5L NA and traditional 8-speed auto are better off-road. Dual-clutch transmissions are not designed for crawling on or off road. It wasn't mentioned, but should be noted that the more basic trims of the Santa Cruz don't have that horrible all gloss black center stack with no buttons or knobs. The standard unit has matte black plastic with physical buttons and knobs.
I watched this after I already ordered a 2023 Santa Cruz lol as I age, I need something lower to the ground than my Ram 1500. Loking forward to its arrival and thanks for a well done review!
9:40 I’ve been researching this car super extensively the past couple months and out of all the reviews and specs this is the first time I heard it’s a wet clutch transmission, that’s not a bad thing at all but it’s interest that they did this in addition to a turbo charged engine. The oil consumption on this vehicle will probably be a talking point as it goes thru it’s generations.
I'd like to check one out, but can't find any Santa Cruz vehicles located anywhere close to where I live in NW Florida, although the Ford dealer has a few Mavericks available. Both of those vehicles are appealing in their own ways, but I want to drive and compare them to each other, so guess I'll continue to wait until local dealers get both of them in stock.
You can flip the screen to see the truck upside down and it will show you in blue exactly where the power is going to what wheels. If you knew the car better you would know that .
7:33 yes we expect this sort of advanced tech at this price point in a Hyundai, but in a more expensive luxury vehicle, this sort of tech is often only available as part of a very expensive option package.
I'd really like to see the Maverick go over this course for comparison with the FX4 package. Great video for seeing some of the basic off road capabilities.
@@jmanned They were the same. But who really even cares? People aren't buying these small trucks for driving over logs. 99.9% of people won't put them through this test.
Really like your honest this is good, this not so much approach and your knowledge to know what to test. I am about to buy the SEL Premium which has most of the features of the Limited but 18"wheels (actually better looking rims) and no cute blind spot cameras or adaptive cruise. Most different though is the included 8" info screen on the Premium has scroll knobs for volume and little levers for changing havac temp as well as wireless android auto. It doesn't look as cool but I think it might be a better system. The reason I am buying the Santa Cruz is that it will be fun to drive, and easy to maneuver but still be able to haul a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood from Home Depot not to mention stand up an appliance or haul some firewood. Really fun video btw.
Hill decent on the Santa Cruz only activates when it is enabled and the decline is steep enough. When activated, it will hold the speed you are currently going. To speed up, hit the gas, To slow it down, hit the brakes.
I thought the compact truck would never work here in America is specially after Subaru discontinued their compact truck but now I'm so looking forward to seeing more of them here in America like they are in the rest of the of the world
@@SubuwuCollie this vehicle is not a direct competitor to the ranger. The ranger competes with the Tacoma and other mid sized trucks. The commenter is comparing this vehicle to the old Subaru Baja, which would be a more appropriate comparison. Basically a car masquerading as a truck. This vehicle competes with Ford’s maverick. The maverick is smaller than the ranger.
@@nicholaslee5310 True, but Frozen Peas did say PREVIOUS GEN Ford Ranger, not the current one. The previous model was considerably smaller than the Ranger of today, with some versions even smaller than the new Maverick. I think Frozen Peas was just making the comment that the market in the U.S. for a compact truck has never disappeared, because the previous gen Ranger, (along with compact trucks from other manufacturers), sold well, and is still popular.
Many people and businesses want little trucks like these, and many of these little trucks do far more truck duty work than many full size 1/2 ton and super duty truck owners ever will. A lot of delivery companies, couriers, parts companies, etc. used Rangers, Nissan Frontiers, Dodge Dakotas, Chevy S-10's and the old Tacomas before they became bloated mid-sized trucks. There's a huge market for the compact truck world, its just too bad these automakers keep slapping 4 doors on everything, but it is what it is. Ford should come back with a Courier pickup, just plain jane 2 door with a 6 or 7 foot bed, and offer it in 4WD or some form of AWD and they'd have a winner for many businesses...most businesses that used the old Rangers used them for deliveries of parts, pest and weed control, and stuff like that where they just had a driver, and a bed full of equipment, no need for 4 doors type of chores.
I would love to see a test on the base model, a different engine and trany altogether additionally 40k+ feels unlikely to be Hyundai volume sell on the Santa Cruz
Gorgeous truck. I do have to say I feel like I owned it already in the 80s. I had a Dodge rampage, and it really was not far off from this . Love the trunk under the box bed. Just like a Ridgeline
Should turn traction control OFF going down hill when using down hill control. When stuck: Turn traction control OFF, snow mode ON and center diff lock ON (yes I know it’s software).
I WAS quite interested in BUYING this vehicle ( set up a pre-order ) then it took WAY to long to come up with the price points , when they FINALLY did ... Starting price was ok , But then they came to the limited which I was ONLY interested in and I’m thinking it SHOULD have topped out at the premium level. The limited is OVER PRICED ( my opinion ) and on top of that dealers are GOUGING 5 grand more because it’s been just released and demand is supposed to be there . From what I understand if buy from further out from city it’s possible to get sticker , As of now I’m not as excited as I had been , and I’ll either wait a while or move on to something else !
Ryan, We just need a return of the Subaru Baja (or Brat) to have a game of bridge with unibody pickups. Let's see how well the Santa Cruz, Maverick and Ridgeline sell when all the hype cools off. A CUV and utility trailer would be so much more useful for so many people for so many reasons. After all, if you really need a truck wouldn't you just buy a truck?
Given that the Ridgeline starts in the high 30s, I think it's going to be hurt the most by the appearance of these lower-cost options. But I do love the idea of a small truck that doesn't drive like a truck.
@@drivingsports It was nice to see a 70s import pickup to be reminded of how small body on frame trucks once were.Time will tell if there really was a demand for these unibodies. One thing is certainly very 'truck authentic' about this Santa Cruz - only 22 Highway mpg.
I use my xt outback like a truck. It can tow more then the 1k i could put in the bed. I just use my truck for firewood work in the woods now. The OB does my paved road work. It tows my boat just fine. Ride and mpg are way better then my truck...But i park the OB when it ice season. It can run chaines... My local roads are dirt and ice up. But its only 5 miles to the state road thats salted plowed.. i can justify a full set of studded tires for the OB for ice seaon.
"if you really need a truck wouldn't you just buy a truck" is exactly the same argument people used to level against crossovers. Look where we are now.
@@ProAlchemist My thoughts exactly. So many people wanted the utility and all season, all road capability of trucks, but didn't want the compromises of body on frame trucks. And so, the suv market exploded.
Ryne I love your off road tests! you are definitely the best. Your use and explanation of AWD systems is great! I cannot wait for more videos on your Soft roading playground! When I watched one of your past tests (Passport I think) and the way you got so excited explaining the torque vectoring around the corners where the outside wheels pushed the vehicle through a curve got me excited!. Your the Best!
I just got a palisade and I completely agree with radio display. I figured it was a skin that could be changed, but you can't. I'll live with it but it's an odd choice. I mostly use the radio in the small mode that takes up 1/3 of the screen and it looks much better
It looks a more modern copy of the Subaru Baja than anything you mentioned. The Baja was never very popular but back then prices of American cars were not that bad plus they were plentiful. These little trucks have come a long way too where as the originals were pretty thin on everything. it's availability is the thing that will make this sell because you can't buy the Maverick and they can't get the production going as planned in Mexico. Buyers give this truck an 8.4 - 8.8 after a year.
I think that when Hyundai got the idea for the Santa Cruz being their first hybrid compact, they just wanted to create something that was comfortable enough for a family
@@Kodazot you talking about the plastic fenders? If so the Baja already had them and would look good because its an offroad type vehicle. The WRX needs to lose the plastic fenders though.
Awesome video. I'm Canadian and have a Santa cruz. I have the preffered model(base model) on 18 inch wheels which is awd with the 2.5 turbo engine which i believe is sel in the states. We have the different terrain modes here. Mud sand and snow. I truly believe that this vehicle could conquer this course better with 2 important things. 1. Better tires. And 2 the option for terrain modes. The 18inch tires would do better in off road situations. Make them alterrain/all weather tires and this course would have been a breeze. Tossing in mud or snow mode most of this course would be a none issue!
Must admit I have never heard of "tailgate ajar" warning from other manufacturers, I can see where it could be beneficial vehicle's with side opening tailgates though...
I appreciate your conservative stance on towing as towing can be very dangerous in the best setups. However, the weight of the tow vehicle can be half of trailing load and still be safe. A new Ford truck can tow 12000 lbs and the truck only weighs less than 6000lbs. Slow and steady and no bravado will keep you safe in the right setup. Great review!
This vehicle was one of my top options until I saw the interior. The extent of piano black and touchscreen buttons are a hard no in my books. I feel like everyone I talk to feels the same way, so why has this become such a trend?
20:16 yes with trailer brakes & subtract the weight of up to 1400lbs of cargo & people in truck. I think this would be a great little truckette, but my wife hates it. Makes me want one so she won't drive it, but might have to compromise with a Santa Fe Turbo AWD, which is only rated to tow 3500 w/trailer brakes. At least it has physical buttons instead of piano black touch pad controls.
Local dealership was supposed to get six in December but that has been pushed back to mid-January. We’ve a Limited on order. Who knows when it will come in. Wanted Exterior Blue Stone with gray interior but told we’d have to settle for black interior. However, we can order Ice White with the gray. Be prepared if you are thinking of getting one. Most are Ice White or Phantom Black. The Phantom Black is metal flake and rather remarkable when the sun hits it just right. Never cared for black vehicles or black interior.
for my use, the Santa Cruz would be perfect. I do not do much offroading, what little I do, entails getting to a spot to go kayaking or mountain biking, so I would have parked at the bottom of that hill and ridden up. The towing I do would be close to 3000 pounds, my small 17 foot sailboat with trailer is just short of that weight, so again, perfect. The only problem is that Hyundai has a stable of Hybrids and even EVs now. So, for me to consider the Cruz, it would have to be a minimum, a hybrid. As like most people, 90% of my driving is getting back and forth to work on well paved roads.
I have a 2023 Tuscon SEL with the convenience, for that price yes certainly worth it, 30 mpg gallon highway, handles, great, love the Blue link, etc. but for 40 grand i think i would opt for a Tacoma or Ridgeline, bigger bed, etc.
Sheesh. $40,000 is some serious sticker shock. As a matter of fact when you said the price of the tester I literally made this 😐 face. I think the price ceiling for these kind of trucks should be about $30,000. I see what Hyundai was going for, but the Maverick is a much better execution to me. Overall, if you just need a runabout to do Home Depot runs, I recommend getting a used wagon like an Escort Wagon or an older used truck, like an early 2000’s Ford Ranger.
My 2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport AWD was 37.5K . Not too bad if you plan to keep it for years...right now isn't a good time to be buying any new vehicle but used car prices are ridiculous !
That level 2 "autopilot" system saved my life I'm sure... 2020 Kia Soul i rented had it and on a really late night on my way home I'm sure i fell asleep a few time... love those systems!
that would be nice if a part of the course had a permanent mud pit. Not anything crazy, just a little mud. It would be interesting to see how vehicles would handle it.
First off, I just want to say that I am a huge fan of your channel. I was wondering if you have any plans this fall or winter to show off the non turbo Santa Cruz. I’d love to see how the standard transmission performs in the wet and snow. I know the wet DCT is improved over other Hyundai models but I live in a state which gets some nasty slick roads, snow and crappy country roads and I don’t think the DCT is optimal for conditions like that, especially which may involve a lot of stop and go. I currently drive a 2020 Kona SEL Plus with the 2.0 NA motor.
Thanks for watching! Unless we buy one, we have to rely on Hyundai putting one into our local press fleet, and as of yet, they haven't shown any interest in doing that.
@@drivingsports Ok. Thank you for the reply! That also may explain why I haven't seen them on other auto channels that I subscribe to. Anyway, your content is awesome and thank you for keeping us informed!
That's true, but I also noticed that when he got the price points close for AWD models, in the $25k range, the Maverick was equipped with the turbo engine, which is required for AWD, while the Santa Cruz had the base, non-turbo engine.
This thing made the Crosstrek look super capable and the Broncos sport look like a proper offroad rig I think its around new Blazer capability but I bet it's fast on the highway depends what u want I guess.
I test drove the Bronco Sport & was very disappointed. The engine ticks like a time bomb or a cracked manifold. Was not impressed with what I saw under the hood. Interior seemed cheap. Loved the squared off back. Read about the EcoBoost engine when it made its initial appearance overseas. Initially, the engine stalled when half way up a sand dune. It shut down entirely. You would have to wait a few minutes for the engine to cool down & then commence. Ultimately, the engine flamed out. Allegedly, this was fixed before the EcoBoost was brought to the US market. The EcoBoost engine & cooling system were deal breakers for me. I also felt that the plastic, painted Bronco emblem on the rear looked cheap. I currently drive a black Ford F250 Super Duty Quad cab with a Western plow and a hard tonneau cover. It does not have an EcoBoost engine.
@@drivingsports I wish you would do the Honda Ridgeline as well! I am struggling between the Santa cruz and the Ridgeline. I think I am done with full size trucks for a while
@@nathtcamp Ridgeline is in a larger size class than the Santa Cruz. The Maverick would be more comparable in size to the Santa Cruz. But I don't know what your shopping criteria are, so I don't know which is best for you.
there was a 2021 ridgeline review on this channel about 6 months ago, which i thought was really good. i think for the needs of most people (i.e. those who don't rock-crawl or tow >5000lbs), the ridgeline checks enough boxes. as mentioned by t455, the ridgeline is a class size up.
Maybe I missed it, but is the tonneau cover fully removable? I think my mountain bike will fit in the bed (over the tailgate) if I can remove it entirely. Otherwise, it loses a big use case for me.
@@drivingsports Just about 40lbs, but big and awkward. Frees up a foot of bed length vertically, as even fully retracted the last bit sticks out of the box a bit. They come with the SEL Activity Pack, SEL Premium, and SEL Limited by default, but the SE and SEL come without it. If you don't want it, you can resell it easily for big bucks as Hyundai isn't selling it separately and there are no other aftermarket options available right now that I know of.
I kinda wish they made a 2-door version of this with the same wheelbase. More like an El Camino or the old 2-door Ford Ranger. That would be a good option for young people in the trades that can't afford an F-150 straight out of trade school. Edit: Also, is that bed cover lockable so their tools don't get stolen?
I own a 2020 Ford Ranger Lariat with the FX4 package. If I was to choose between the Santa Cruz or the Maverick, I will have to wait to see how the Maverick does. Great Review! Cheers!
If they put an electric window in the back that dropped down like the Toyota 4 Runners I think that would be such a cool feature. P.S. amazing production quality, ground and aerial photography is so impressive. great stuff.
As a Subaru fanboy, I would really like to know how this HTRAC system compares to Subaru for everyday driving. Not many people are going offroad. So how would you rate this HTRAC for everyday driving and/or snow driving during the midwestern winter?
I don’t think it should be compared to the Ford Maverick. The Maverick is a cheaply made to be inexpensive where the Santa Cruz is a well built and not cheap! The Santa Cruze is like an SUV/ Truck, and the Maverick is just a truck!
You can’t get the adaptive cruise and Lane keep assist on the Maverick by just adding copilot 360 on the XL trim. It only comes on the lariat trim which pushes the price into the mid upper 30s
Realized that later. They both have some compromises, but correction noted. It is interesting that even going with a Lariat and FX4 package on the Maverick, the Ford is still cheaper than the Limited as tested.
@@drivingsports loved the review. Can’t wait for you to get a Maverick 2.0L with the off-road package and actually see how it compares to the Bronco Sport Badlands since it’s basically the same platform and engine. Could the Maverick be a cheaper Badlands with a bed?
"easy to drive package" you know, as opposed to most other trucks in 2021, where you need 3 arms to run the twin stick, and have to re jet the carb if you're heading into the mountains
I think as long as people think of this in terms of increased passenger car capabilities instead of reduced pickup truck capabilities it makes alot of sense for the general use daily driveable type of small ute.
These types of vehicles I'd push to people who normally drive a regular crossover but haul stuff they really don't want to put in the cargo area of their crossover or SUV...nice you can put messy stuff in the bed of a Santa Cruz or the Ford Maverick, unload it and drive through a car wash or use a garden hose to wash out the bed, can't really do that with an SUV or crossover, at least not without destroying the carpet LOL.
This thing is perfect for me. I don't need a full truck that could tow a house. I just need something I can rely on to not fall off the road when it snows.
@@wildbill23c Yeah I have a crosstrek and I'd kill for a bed for hauling gasoline.
@@mikeoxlong3676 Ooh good point, yeah hauling fuel in my Bronco 2 sucks LOL...no matter what you do you end up with the fuel smell in your vehicle and good luck getting rid of the smell, and diesel is the worst LOL.
@@wildbill23c I'm tempted to buy a trailer hitch basket and then just tie down the gas can with bungie cords.
We test drove a Santa Cruz and were really impressed by the whole package. Perfect for city dwellers! Your off road course is great too! Really shows what vehicles can and can't do.
Who's we? No one knows you
@@DoubleJabSlipRightHand Thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to look you up next time I need a comment proofread before I post it.
@@DoubleJabSlipRightHand 😂 lol
If he said “I test drove..”. You still don’t know him.
The mountain challenge makes your channel a standout.
This is one of the most USEFUL car/truck review channels. They test vehicles from all different classes in real life situations.
The fact that this makes more power than the new wrx is crazy
It shows that it isn't all about power. 😂
so does volvo truck
And a transmission that the Koreans put on their super cheap cars,
C .. V .. T
@@kizo172 This has a DCT wet clutch, not CVT
@@James-il3tq I was talking abt CVT in WRX not DCT in this
One of the best reviews I've watched on the Santa Cruz.
As a potential buyer/leaser of this vehicle, I've got to say that it did better on that course than I thought it would, particularly given that it's on 20" all seasons.
That's more of an off road challenge than I would ever attempt to put my Santa Cruz through come the time I get one.
14:26 😅
Cool looking truck. The "off road" test is always welcomed. No AWD is every going to compare to true 4x4 especially with a locker, also most of the cross overs lack ground clearance for true off roading. That being said, if they had decent tires on it will still make a big difference. Lastly, where these AWD systems excel is in snow conditions.
My SEL has a manual volume and channel selector. Just purchased July 23rd, 2022. Never thought my wife would be interested in this truck, but after she visited our local Hyundai dealership, she told me to get my butt over there to sign papers.
With decent AT tyres I think it a good little truck, double clutch and all. Would've loved a normal auto transmission.
I believe the base engine is on a traditional automatic trany
@@lolotus4borderless yes I know, but he presented the powerful engine with a double clutch, I would've liked to see the powerful engine offered with a traditional trany as well. But most of all I would love & buy an awd PHEV version if they have one in the making.
@@bogdandanailescu wait for the off-road version
@@Turshin I will :)
My knee jerk reaction to the price as tested was complete shock but watching the review it really does include alot. I like the interior design it seems really appropriate for the vehicle without being overly stylized. LOVED the shots with the wind turbine behind the hill!!!
When you compare what loaded 1500/2500/3500 pickups cost these days. It’s half the price if not less.
I had the same reaction: holy #%#!!!!
You know what I would love to see manufacturers do with press cars ? Give them in pairs , one top level trim and one mid level . For one most people are going to buy mid level and for two when someone like you gets ahold of it they know it’s going to be tested off road so it would be really interesting to see the difference between the two . I have a feeling a low-mid trim would wipe the floor with the highest trim for most all crossover suv .
We'd just be happy to have the lower trims even available.
@@drivingsports We've been looking for a base SE AWD model, seems virtually zero inventory in the whole country, lol! The ones you can get have big dealer markups on them. :(
I’ve been getting around 37 on the highway with my Santa Cruz limited. The 27 hyundai says is extremely low. Even when you’re not trying that hard I can get easily into the 30s on the highway with it.
That’s weird why would they do that
Are you happy with it
That’s a little hard to believe, might be some calculation error.
I think Smart mode makes it use less gas. While in Sport mode it's going to take up more gas.
Thanks for sharing!
I'm moving to Montana soon and will need a more appropriate vehicle and this and the Maverick are on the top of my list.
I moved here from CA/NV/OR ... Still running a FWD 2016 Mazda 3 hatchback without issue
Real talk about real concerns regarding how certain things will hold up over time. That's why I subscribed.
Love your reviews man. So much effort to make great content rather than paid advertisement like the others.
Best review of this so far.
Huge fan of this channel.
Just honest reviews, great content, nothing over the top and a host that seems like a genuine normal dude.
The visor mirrors ARE illuminated - the light is in the roof. At least it is on my Ultimate (Limited equivalent in Canada).
I love this thing, but agree with you about the touch sensitive console. I'd rather have buttons and knobs.
I do find the reverse cross-traffic mitigation stuff WAY too aggressive. I was trying to back out of a parking space in a lot that runs alongside a street (think standard mini/strip mall scenario) and it just SLAMMED the brakes because there were cars on the street way back behind me. Well over a car length back.
I commute with this 200km (about 120 miles) every day, and it's a fantastic long-range driver. The semi-autonomous features are really nice, as is the adaptive cruise. Great power for passing on 2-lane roads too.
It's precisely what I wanted - small, SUV comfort, great driving characteristics, and does a little bit of truck stuff when I need it. Yeah, it was a bit more expensive than I'd have liked, but worth every penny.
The SEL Premium trim gets you the turbo engine and AWD, with rotary (barrel shaped) controls for audio and tuning, plus tabs for HVAC.
No leather though.
I think i was truck king, on their tow test video that said it will pull off the line in AWD regardless of setting. To help with towing. They only did a 2000 lb pontoon boat but were impressed with how it performed. Love you're work Ryan.
Yes off the line the Santa Cruz sends power to the rear. There’s a gauge on the dash to show you where powers going. On the highway it’s almost all fwd unless you get on it. I’ve been impressed with my Santa Cruz’s power, it’ll never replace my F250 but it’s a great truck for days when I don’t need the F250.
😳 This brain dead reviewer literally said that it doesn't seem like a good idea to tow something that weighs more than the tow vehicle! 🤦🏾♂️
A statement never said by any truck owner ever! 🤷🏾♂️
@@freddywayneThat’s literally the law, and physics will teach you real quick why you don’t want to exceed the tow vehicle weight. The only dum one here, is you.
@Go Clunker 👈🏾 another 🐦 brain
@@freddywayne yeah…not taking trailer towing advice from a child that does ps5 unboxing videos 😂🤣
Here we go... jumping to the course part first then watching the rest
30:52 - 30:57 😆
Great video as always Ryan! I think it's good that this is distinct to the Maverick in a few ways and gives buyers the option to choose which they like better. It's boring to make vehicles too similar to each other.
We need to see the wilderness on this new course!!
I like the looks of the hyundai, also the seats and ride are important for a daily commuter, great review, thx!
Yeah, this vehicle really shines where (for me especially) it'll be spending 99% of it's time - that is - on the road.
It's on road manners, and acceleration make it an easy jump from a car.
I'd get the ability to haul things when needed, all weather and light off road capability, without sacrificing it all to leaf springs and live axles.
2000+ miles into my new limited Santa Cruz and I have to say, THIS THING IS AWESOME! I spent about 20 hours in research before purchasing mine in Somersworth, NH and its still more car/truck/SUV than I had expected. It’s a very luxurious sports car with tons of power... has the interior space and convenience of an SUV... as well as a super functional truck bed for most of your home, yard, work and play/hobbie/activity needs and tasks. Hyundai nailed it on this one. Everywhere I go this thing is snapping heads around. Great overall value. I highly recommend checking this thing out if your even moderately interested or even curious... you won’t be disappointed.
I have watched 20+ hours on this vehicle too. Went for a test drive and now have a preorder in for the 2023 model which I'm hoping to get in the next 3 months. It's going to be a loooong wait lol. Really happy to have read your comment though. Every point you made perfectly solidifies my purchase choice
Any problems with the dct transmission? I got lucky and found a 23 night awd for msrp.should be here in 3 weeks
@@1976axerhand No issues with the transmission by my standards. It is incredibly responsive even factoring in the nearly unnoticeable delay due to electronic controls. Some of the reviews on UA-cam had made mention of a “shudder” in the transmission. I have noticed what I believe they were talking about, but only twice in the 6,000 +\- miles I’ve driven so far… and only in very specific conditions. From a stop at a traffic light, pressure on the brake pedal, vehicle in front of me… the light changes to green, I let off the brake and gently apply pressure to the gas pedal, the car in front of me is not as quick to respond, so I remove pressure from the gas pedal… there was an ever so slight, just barely noticeable stutter felt in the drivetrain. I’m guessing it had something to do with the computer trying to determine my actual intentions. But again, I’ve only noticed it twice (in the exact same conditions) and it so minuscule that it would likely go unnoticed to someone who wasn’t actively trying to find something “wrong” (as I have been since I got the car). Hope that helps
@@jeffreyeallardjr thanks.
I drove mine in deep snow last winter and I was very impressed. Absolutely LOVE my Santa Cruz! I used to own an Eddie Bauer edition Ford Explorer and I'm 100% Hyundai loyalist today. I also used to like Honda and wouldn't be caught dead in a Ridgeline.
i love how all the videos on this vehicle start at the base price of $26K or so and then test drive the $41K limited version....night and day between the 2 vehicles and i don't think too many are going to get the base model after they see all the options on the SEL and Limited models.....leather seats don't come with anything but the limited which is a downer and Tonneau cover is included in a $3500 options adventure package.....you lose a foot of bed space with the cover...I really wanted to like this vehicle and I do love the look of it but when I see all the options that price it out of the avg driver's budget, i won't be getting it just yet...if the leather seats came with the SEL premium, they might have had me but they cost 3-4K more for that package...you get 20 inch tires with the limited too but such a simple but popular option of leather seats is pretty pricey....too bad Hyundai didn't think about the upper middle buyer for this vehicle because from the outside, it looks fantastic
I really wish they did include the base trims in the press fleet, but we couldn't get one.
For a UTE style vehicle, it looks very nice. It’s not very capable off-road, but for a AWD city cruiser that can drive on wet grass, it’s cool
Great video. Boy, watching you go through your off road course was painful. Definitely not a buy for me but I do like the looks.
I have a feeling the standard 2.5L NA and traditional 8-speed auto are better off-road. Dual-clutch transmissions are not designed for crawling on or off road. It wasn't mentioned, but should be noted that the more basic trims of the Santa Cruz don't have that horrible all gloss black center stack with no buttons or knobs. The standard unit has matte black plastic with physical buttons and knobs.
I'm really digging the Santa Cruz!! Great vid as always.
Love your reviews Ryan. So well detailed and your test hill is pretty rocking!
I watched this after I already ordered a 2023 Santa Cruz lol as I age, I need something lower to the ground than my Ram 1500. Loking forward to its arrival and thanks for a well done review!
9:40 I’ve been researching this car super extensively the past couple months and out of all the reviews and specs this is the first time I heard it’s a wet clutch transmission, that’s not a bad thing at all but it’s interest that they did this in addition to a turbo charged engine. The oil consumption on this vehicle will probably be a talking point as it goes thru it’s generations.
I was actually pretty impressed when I drove one the other day. Seems promising!
I'd like to check one out, but can't find any Santa Cruz vehicles located anywhere close to where I live in NW Florida, although the Ford dealer has a few Mavericks available. Both of those vehicles are appealing in their own ways, but I want to drive and compare them to each other, so guess I'll continue to wait until local dealers get both of them in stock.
I'm excited to see this one! can't wait for you to get a maverick on the road too!
Mud and sand mode in international and Canadian models is absolutely goated
Goated is the new hip word be used across UA-cam comments 🤣🤣🤣💩
You can flip the screen to see the truck upside down and it will show you in blue exactly where the power is going to what wheels. If you knew the car better you would know that .
7:33 yes we expect this sort of advanced tech at this price point in a Hyundai, but in a more expensive luxury vehicle, this sort of tech is often only available as part of a very expensive option package.
I'd really like to see the Maverick go over this course for comparison with the FX4 package. Great video for seeing some of the basic off road capabilities.
its up . did not do well haha
@@TreyJustice Yeah, it was a let down, I wasn't expecting it to do worse than the Santa Cruz going over those logs.
@@jmanned But, it didn't do worse. Did you watch the video? lol
@@sappyjohnson I don’t know how you can say the Maverick did better going over the logs?
@@jmanned They were the same. But who really even cares? People aren't buying these small trucks for driving over logs. 99.9% of people won't put them through this test.
Really like your honest this is good, this not so much approach and your knowledge to know what to test. I am about to buy the SEL Premium which has most of the features of the Limited but 18"wheels (actually better looking rims) and no cute blind spot cameras or adaptive cruise. Most different though is the included 8" info screen on the Premium has scroll knobs for volume and little levers for changing havac temp as well as wireless android auto. It doesn't look as cool but I think it might be a better system. The reason I am buying the Santa Cruz is that it will be fun to drive, and easy to maneuver but still be able to haul a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood from Home Depot not to mention stand up an appliance or haul some firewood. Really fun video btw.
WOW !! YOU DID AN AWESOME JOB, my first time here and i really enjoyed it. Thank you!!
We just ordered one! Super excited to get it. We ordered the Ultimate in white, 2023. It was $50,000 here in Canada.
Take the outback wilderness on your course please!!!
Hill decent on the Santa Cruz only activates when it is enabled and the decline is steep enough. When activated, it will hold the speed you are currently going. To speed up, hit the gas, To slow it down, hit the brakes.
great video. well produced and edited, not to mention a solid review. nice work!
My Sel Prem gets 29 to 30mpg in smart mode. And I like to go fast. My only gripe is getting a 7 pin tow package and brake control.
I thought the compact truck would never work here in America is specially after Subaru discontinued their compact truck but now I'm so looking forward to seeing more of them here in America like they are in the rest of the of the world
idk what you're talking about lmao you forget the previous gen ford ranger exists?
@@SubuwuCollie this vehicle is not a direct competitor to the ranger. The ranger competes with the Tacoma and other mid sized trucks. The commenter is comparing this vehicle to the old Subaru Baja, which would be a more appropriate comparison. Basically a car masquerading as a truck. This vehicle competes with Ford’s maverick. The maverick is smaller than the ranger.
@@nicholaslee5310 True, but Frozen Peas did say PREVIOUS GEN Ford Ranger, not the current one. The previous model was considerably smaller than the Ranger of today, with some versions even smaller than the new Maverick. I think Frozen Peas was just making the comment that the market in the U.S. for a compact truck has never disappeared, because the previous gen Ranger, (along with compact trucks from other manufacturers), sold well, and is still popular.
I miss my old GMC S15, yes we had small and fun pickup long time ago ....
Many people and businesses want little trucks like these, and many of these little trucks do far more truck duty work than many full size 1/2 ton and super duty truck owners ever will. A lot of delivery companies, couriers, parts companies, etc. used Rangers, Nissan Frontiers, Dodge Dakotas, Chevy S-10's and the old Tacomas before they became bloated mid-sized trucks. There's a huge market for the compact truck world, its just too bad these automakers keep slapping 4 doors on everything, but it is what it is. Ford should come back with a Courier pickup, just plain jane 2 door with a 6 or 7 foot bed, and offer it in 4WD or some form of AWD and they'd have a winner for many businesses...most businesses that used the old Rangers used them for deliveries of parts, pest and weed control, and stuff like that where they just had a driver, and a bed full of equipment, no need for 4 doors type of chores.
The lack of volume knob confuse me at first. But I found the volume control on the steering wheel just as handy.
I would love to see a test on the base model, a different engine and trany altogether additionally 40k+ feels unlikely to be Hyundai volume sell on the Santa Cruz
Gorgeous truck. I do have to say I feel like I owned it already in the 80s.
I had a Dodge rampage, and it really was not far off from this .
Love the trunk under the box bed. Just like a Ridgeline
A Rampage wow. Those were rare.
My dad’s friend had a red Rampage with a 5 speed stick. He really liked the Rampage, never lower than 25 mpg
Should turn traction control OFF going down hill when using down hill control.
When stuck: Turn traction control OFF, snow mode ON and center diff lock ON (yes I know it’s software).
Impressive review very accurate and informative its not your regular car reviews more power
Looking to pick mine up saturday. Thanks for the review
I WAS quite interested in BUYING this vehicle ( set up a pre-order ) then it took WAY to long to come up with the price points , when they FINALLY did ... Starting price was ok , But then they came to the limited which I was ONLY interested in and I’m thinking it SHOULD have topped out at the premium level. The limited is OVER PRICED ( my opinion ) and on top of that dealers are GOUGING 5 grand more because it’s been just released and demand is supposed to be there . From what I understand if buy from further out from city it’s possible to get sticker , As of now I’m not as excited as I had been , and I’ll either wait a while or move on to something else !
Great review, FYI the visors do extend and there is illumination its on the ceiling with a switch.
Ryan, We just need a return of the Subaru Baja (or Brat) to have a game of bridge with unibody pickups. Let's see how well the Santa Cruz, Maverick and Ridgeline sell when all the hype cools off. A CUV and utility trailer would be so much more useful for so many people for so many reasons. After all, if you really need a truck wouldn't you just buy a truck?
Given that the Ridgeline starts in the high 30s, I think it's going to be hurt the most by the appearance of these lower-cost options. But I do love the idea of a small truck that doesn't drive like a truck.
@@drivingsports It was nice to see a 70s import pickup to be reminded of how small body on frame trucks once were.Time will tell if there really was a demand for these unibodies. One thing is certainly very 'truck authentic' about this Santa Cruz - only 22 Highway mpg.
I use my xt outback like a truck. It can tow more then the 1k i could put in the bed. I just use my truck for firewood work in the woods now. The OB does my paved road work. It tows my boat just fine. Ride and mpg are way better then my truck...But i park the OB when it ice season. It can run chaines... My local roads are dirt and ice up. But its only 5 miles to the state road thats salted plowed.. i can justify a full set of studded tires for the OB for ice seaon.
"if you really need a truck wouldn't you just buy a truck" is exactly the same argument people used to level against crossovers. Look where we are now.
@@ProAlchemist My thoughts exactly.
So many people wanted the utility and all season, all road capability of trucks, but didn't want the compromises of body on frame trucks.
And so, the suv market exploded.
Love the look of the Santa Cruz, but this Video has me running to Honda when the market recovers from the supply shortage.
Ryne I love your off road tests! you are definitely the best. Your use and explanation of AWD systems is great! I cannot wait for more videos on your Soft roading playground! When I watched one of your past tests (Passport I think) and the way you got so excited explaining the torque vectoring around the corners where the outside wheels pushed the vehicle through a curve got me excited!. Your the Best!
Love your videos and looked forward to this one...hope you post another video of the santa cruz taking on more offroad challenges.
I just got a palisade and I completely agree with radio display. I figured it was a skin that could be changed, but you can't. I'll live with it but it's an odd choice. I mostly use the radio in the small mode that takes up 1/3 of the screen and it looks much better
Thank You for that review !
Have not found anything like it yet !
20" street tires are not really the best for off-road.
So there is that.
20" wheels are absurd, especially on this vehicle.
It looks a more modern copy of the Subaru Baja than anything you mentioned. The Baja was never very popular but back then prices of American cars were not that bad plus they were plentiful. These little trucks have come a long way too where as the originals were pretty thin on everything. it's availability is the thing that will make this sell because you can't buy the Maverick and they can't get the production going as planned in Mexico. Buyers give this truck an 8.4 - 8.8 after a year.
I think that when Hyundai got the idea for the Santa Cruz being their first hybrid compact, they just wanted to create something that was comfortable enough for a family
Never thought I would want a Hyundai that wasn't branded as a Genesis. What a snazzy looking little trucklet.
I love Ford and Ram trucks. But this new Santa Cruz would make a great 2nd car.
Now more than ever we need the subaru Baja back in the mix!!!
Subarau is punching the air right now.
They could of had the Baja in their lineup still.
It will be interesting to see if the Maverick and Santa Cruz continue to be popular after initial sales.
@@drivingsports ya true. Ford and Hyundai have their fanbase. It all comes Down to prices now.
The Baja was doofy looking.
The Santa Cruz is really sharp looking.
Subaru gonna ruin Baja. Look what they did wrx
@@Kodazot you talking about the plastic fenders? If so the Baja already had them and would look good because its an offroad type vehicle. The WRX needs to lose the plastic fenders though.
Awesome video. I'm Canadian and have a Santa cruz. I have the preffered model(base model) on 18 inch wheels which is awd with the 2.5 turbo engine which i believe is sel in the states.
We have the different terrain modes here. Mud sand and snow.
I truly believe that this vehicle could conquer this course better with 2 important things.
1. Better tires. And 2 the option for terrain modes.
The 18inch tires would do better in off road situations. Make them alterrain/all weather tires and this course would have been a breeze. Tossing in mud or snow mode most of this course would be a none issue!
Must admit I have never heard of "tailgate ajar" warning from other manufacturers, I can see where it could be beneficial vehicle's with side opening tailgates though...
I appreciate your conservative stance on towing as towing can be very dangerous in the best setups. However, the weight of the tow vehicle can be half of trailing load and still be safe. A new Ford truck can tow 12000 lbs and the truck only weighs less than 6000lbs. Slow and steady and no bravado will keep you safe in the right setup. Great review!
I have 0 use for this type of car, but I keep watching these videos and want one.
You had a Kees?! I have had 2. Great dog breed. Great for kids most of the time. Thanks for your in-depth reviews. Helpful.
Yeah, she was a great dog.
This vehicle was one of my top options until I saw the interior. The extent of piano black and touchscreen buttons are a hard no in my books. I feel like everyone I talk to feels the same way, so why has this become such a trend?
The lower trims look much better on the interior because they actually have buttons and I believe less gloss black because of that
20:16 yes with trailer brakes & subtract the weight of up to 1400lbs of cargo & people in truck. I think this would be a great little truckette, but my wife hates it. Makes me want one so she won't drive it, but might have to compromise with a Santa Fe Turbo AWD, which is only rated to tow 3500 w/trailer brakes. At least it has physical buttons instead of piano black touch pad controls.
Local dealership was supposed to get six in December but that has been pushed back to mid-January. We’ve a Limited on order. Who knows when it will come in. Wanted Exterior Blue Stone with gray interior but told we’d have to settle for black interior. However, we can order Ice White with the gray. Be prepared if you are thinking of getting one. Most are Ice White or Phantom Black. The Phantom Black is metal flake and rather remarkable when the sun hits it just right. Never cared for black vehicles or black interior.
This is awesome ❤.. Just bought one.. I wanted a small truck and love the cooler in the bed. I may upgrade the tires for New England Winters.
for my use, the Santa Cruz would be perfect. I do not do much offroading, what little I do, entails getting to a spot to go kayaking or mountain biking, so I would have parked at the bottom of that hill and ridden up. The towing I do would be close to 3000 pounds, my small 17 foot sailboat with trailer is just short of that weight, so again, perfect. The only problem is that Hyundai has a stable of Hybrids and even EVs now. So, for me to consider the Cruz, it would have to be a minimum, a hybrid. As like most people, 90% of my driving is getting back and forth to work on well paved roads.
I have a 2023 Tuscon SEL with the convenience, for that price yes certainly worth it, 30 mpg gallon highway, handles, great, love the Blue link, etc. but for 40 grand i think i would opt for a Tacoma or Ridgeline, bigger bed, etc.
Sheesh. $40,000 is some serious sticker shock. As a matter of fact when you said the price of the tester I literally made this 😐 face.
I think the price ceiling for these kind of trucks should be about $30,000. I see what Hyundai was going for, but the Maverick is a much better execution to me.
Overall, if you just need a runabout to do Home Depot runs, I recommend getting a used wagon like an Escort Wagon or an older used truck, like an early 2000’s Ford Ranger.
To be fair Maverick loaded up is just a few grand different in terms of price.
It starts at 23k, this is the tip top trim he’s reviewing.
maverick is still 37k topped out. Comparing the equipments of that with this Santa Cruz, I think its worth it (at least to me)
My 2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport AWD was 37.5K . Not too bad if you plan to keep it for years...right now isn't a good time to be buying any new vehicle but used car prices are ridiculous !
That level 2 "autopilot" system saved my life I'm sure... 2020 Kia Soul i rented had it and on a really late night on my way home I'm sure i fell asleep a few time... love those systems!
that would be nice if a part of the course had a permanent mud pit. Not anything crazy, just a little mud. It would be interesting to see how vehicles would handle it.
The hyundai subaru wishes it made. Its the bajas spiritual successor
First off, I just want to say that I am a huge fan of your channel. I was wondering if you have any plans this fall or winter to show off the non turbo Santa Cruz. I’d love to see how the standard transmission performs in the wet and snow. I know the wet DCT is improved over other Hyundai models but I live in a state which gets some nasty slick roads, snow and crappy country roads and I don’t think the DCT is optimal for conditions like that, especially which may involve a lot of stop and go. I currently drive a 2020 Kona SEL Plus with the 2.0 NA motor.
Thanks for watching! Unless we buy one, we have to rely on Hyundai putting one into our local press fleet, and as of yet, they haven't shown any interest in doing that.
@@drivingsports Ok. Thank you for the reply! That also may explain why I haven't seen them on other auto channels that I subscribe to. Anyway, your content is awesome and thank you for keeping us informed!
I am liking this vehicle, but they are going to have to improve the HTRAC system and add a more aggressive trim package, with all terrain tires.
.... and when comparing the Santa Cruz to the Maverick price point you have to consider the warranty differences.
That's true, but I also noticed that when he got the price points close for AWD models, in the $25k range, the Maverick was equipped with the turbo engine, which is required for AWD, while the Santa Cruz had the base, non-turbo engine.
This thing made the Crosstrek look super capable and the Broncos sport look like a proper offroad rig I think its around new Blazer capability but I bet it's fast on the highway depends what u want I guess.
That is the major take-away... Ford's Bronco Sport twin-clutch rear drive is really great.
I test drove the Bronco Sport & was very disappointed. The engine ticks like a time bomb or a cracked manifold. Was not impressed with what I saw under the hood. Interior seemed cheap. Loved the squared off back. Read about the EcoBoost engine when it made its initial appearance overseas. Initially, the engine stalled when half way up a sand dune. It shut down entirely. You would have to wait a few minutes for the engine to cool down & then commence. Ultimately, the engine flamed out. Allegedly, this was fixed before the EcoBoost was brought to the US market. The EcoBoost engine & cooling system were deal breakers for me. I also felt that the plastic, painted Bronco emblem on the rear looked cheap. I currently drive a black Ford F250 Super Duty Quad cab with a Western plow and a hard tonneau cover. It does not have an EcoBoost engine.
I'd really like to see how the Honda Ridgeline would handle this course.
I think we'll see the updated Passport next, which will give a good idea about how the Ridgeline will handle it.
I have a Ridgeline and Hondas torque vectoring awd is a better setup than this Hyundai.
@@drivingsports I wish you would do the Honda Ridgeline as well! I am struggling between the Santa cruz and the Ridgeline. I think I am done with full size trucks for a while
@@nathtcamp Ridgeline is in a larger size class than the Santa Cruz. The Maverick would be more comparable in size to the Santa Cruz. But I don't know what your shopping criteria are, so I don't know which is best for you.
there was a 2021 ridgeline review on this channel about 6 months ago, which i thought was really good. i think for the needs of most people (i.e. those who don't rock-crawl or tow >5000lbs), the ridgeline checks enough boxes. as mentioned by t455, the ridgeline is a class size up.
Maybe I missed it, but is the tonneau cover fully removable? I think my mountain bike will fit in the bed (over the tailgate) if I can remove it entirely. Otherwise, it loses a big use case for me.
Tonneau is optional. I'm sure it can be removed as well, but probably not meant to be constantly put on and off and takes a bit of work to unbolt.
We didn’t cover it in the video but there are six bolts that need to be removed. You’ll probably also need help to lift it out as it is rather heavy.
@@drivingsports Just about 40lbs, but big and awkward. Frees up a foot of bed length vertically, as even fully retracted the last bit sticks out of the box a bit. They come with the SEL Activity Pack, SEL Premium, and SEL Limited by default, but the SE and SEL come without it. If you don't want it, you can resell it easily for big bucks as Hyundai isn't selling it separately and there are no other aftermarket options available right now that I know of.
So if you have the full bed available, does a bike fit in without taking off front wheel?
@@TD05SSLegacy 5'8" with the tailgate down.
Facts. Good luck trying to find the entry level model at any dealers 😑
Yup, gotta order it.
I thumbs up this guys vids before watching lol. keep up the great work
I kinda wish they made a 2-door version of this with the same wheelbase. More like an El Camino or the old 2-door Ford Ranger. That would be a good option for young people in the trades that can't afford an F-150 straight out of trade school. Edit: Also, is that bed cover lockable so their tools don't get stolen?
Yea went to the dealer yesterday and test drove one. The bed cover is lockable.
You mean Ranchero
I own a 2020 Ford Ranger Lariat with the FX4 package. If I was to choose between the Santa Cruz or the Maverick, I will have to wait to see how the Maverick does. Great Review! Cheers!
He has a video with the lariat maverick
If they put an electric window in the back that dropped down like the Toyota 4 Runners I think that would be such a cool feature.
P.S. amazing production quality, ground and aerial photography is so impressive. great stuff.
As a Subaru fanboy, I would really like to know how this HTRAC system compares to Subaru for everyday driving. Not many people are going offroad. So how would you rate this HTRAC for everyday driving and/or snow driving during the midwestern winter?
Subaru is better at transferring torque which can help in some conditions. But both will be suitable for snowy weather with proper tires.
@Driving Sports TV htrac transfers power just fine without the dct
Don't forget the tires are not aggressive. I have a tucson that did the same until I put more aggressive tires on.
Thanks es el mejor video en todo yutube, el ,enorme explicado.
I don’t think it should be compared to the Ford Maverick. The Maverick is a cheaply made to be inexpensive where the Santa Cruz is a well built and not cheap! The Santa Cruze is like an SUV/ Truck, and the Maverick is just a truck!
Santa cruz could be considered a UTE
You can’t get the adaptive cruise and Lane keep assist on the Maverick by just adding copilot 360 on the XL trim. It only comes on the lariat trim which pushes the price into the mid upper 30s
Realized that later. They both have some compromises, but correction noted. It is interesting that even going with a Lariat and FX4 package on the Maverick, the Ford is still cheaper than the Limited as tested.
@@drivingsports loved the review. Can’t wait for you to get a Maverick 2.0L with the off-road package and actually see how it compares to the Bronco Sport Badlands since it’s basically the same platform and engine. Could the Maverick be a cheaper Badlands with a bed?
"easy to drive package" you know, as opposed to most other trucks in 2021, where you need 3 arms to run the twin stick, and have to re jet the carb if you're heading into the mountains
I'm waiting on my SEL Premium, very excited