The New 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Release Date, Specs, and Price – The popularity of pickup trucks is expected to continue through the year 2019, and the beginning of the 2026 model year will see the introduction of revised heavy-duty versions with the badges of Ram, Chevrolet, and GMC. We were also pleased to see the introduction of the Ford Ranger and the Jeep Gladiator. Additionally, Ford made major improvements to the Super Duty Series. Increasing numbers of new entrants are going to enter the lucrative market, and the Tesla Pickup Truck is getting closer and closer to making its appearance.
We have seen that practically all of the models that have been anticipated and announced for a long time, such as the Wrangler-based truck and Tesla, have had delays. The same thing is happening with another model that is expected to be introduced in the near future. This is a discussion on the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz, which is a unibody truck that is the next feasible thing.
Since the Hyundai Santa Cruz Concept vehicle was introduced at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the advent of the brand-new Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup truck has been a topic of discussion in the media. Over the course of this time, numerous rumors and predictions have surfaced regarding the launch date of the model and the beginning of production. Recently, the design chief of the brand has stated that the Santa Cruz pickup would be arriving as soon as feasible. In addition to the completion of the model’s design, the model is currently in the pre-production phase of the production process. The launch of the model might take place as early as the year 2026, assuming the best-case scenario.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Powertrains
As is the case with other parts of the model, the specifics of the powerplant that will be featured in the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz are never revealed.
A four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with a capacity of 2.0 liters was featured in the Concept version that Hyundai displayed. The engine was rated at 190 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, and Hyundai guaranteed that it would have a high range of thirty miles while maintaining a fuel economy.
On the other hand, the production version of the truck might be equipped with a diesel engine from the Santa FE SUV that has a capacity of 2.2 liters and four cylinders, producing approximately 190 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque. Including the gasoline-powered four-cylinder engines on the list of equipment should also be a requirement. A turbocharged gasoline engine with a capacity of 2.0 liters that is derived from the Santa Fe would be an excellent option for the tiny truck. With a torque of 260 pound-feet, this engine generates 225 horsepower. Hyundai may also provide the base model, which is a naturally aspirated four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces approximately 180 horsepower.
As an alternative to the standard two-wheel-drive system, the vehicle will most likely be equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and will also have HTRAC all-wheel drive option.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Design
As a result of the Santa Cruz Concept’s appearance at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, it was reported that the model was given the go-ahead for production, and that the production version will have a great deal of style in common with the concept model. It has been stated that the new design strategy would be implemented in the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz. This comes after a number of years have passed and we have witnessed the introduction of the brand-new Santa FE and Palisade models that feature the new style theme.
Based on the most recent sources, it appears that the Santa Cruz pickup truck will continue to adhere to the concept version in terms of its purpose and its unibody structure. Customers that lead active lifestyles and millennials will be the primary audience for this vehicle, which will serve as an alternative to the unibody Honda Ridgeline. According to what was anticipated earlier, the model would utilize a more refined unibody construction that is shared with the subsequent Tucson SUV. In contrast to the Concept version, the model will also utilize a different approach to the style of its appearance.
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In some way or another, the new stylistic components that define the appearance of the new Santa Fe and Palisade SUVs will also be utilized on the Santa Cruz. On the other hand, the vehicle ought to be equipped with a four-door cabin that features full-size doors, in contrast to the concept model, which featured an enlarged cab body and suicide rear doors. In addition, the truck will be equipped with a short cargo bed; however, Hyundai may decide to use the extended bed design that was included in the prototype production.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Interior and Equipment
Regarding the interior, there are not a lot of details to be found. The interior of the vehicle will most likely be designed in a manner that is comparable to that of the most recent SUVs produced by the company. The dashboard of the truck will be designed with the driver in mind, and it will offer high levels of comfort.
It is anticipated that the most recent infotainment platform from the manufacturer, which features a sizable touchscreen in the center, would be utilized, and the digital instrument cluster will also be offered as an alternative. The vehicle that resembles a crossover will also be equipped with crash avoidance technology, which are features that are now standard on current trucks. In addition, there will be premium content and entertainment elements available for students in higher grades.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Release date and Price
Hyundai has stated that the production of the Santa Cruz is getting closer, but the company has not disclosed when the vehicle would be available for purchase. According to the sources, the premiere will take place in the beginning of 2026. In such a scenario, the model would be introduced as the Hyundai Santa Cruz for the year 2026, and the basic price would be somewhere between the low and middle 20,000s.
