2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz's exterior is an eye-catching blend of style and substance. The striking design pairs a dynamic profile with rugged body details that project strength and dynamism. Its unibody chassis sits atop large, meaty off-road tires that make navigating rough terrain a breeze. Its sharp body lines and dark chrome grille give it an undeniably commanding presence.

There are five trim levels for the Santa Cruz: SE, SEL, Night, SEL Premium, and Limited. Each of these trims offers its own distinct style with varying exterior features. On the SE trim, you'll find 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, and a rear-bumper sidestep for added convenience. The Limited trim ups the ante with 20-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, and a surround-view camera that provides a 360-degree bird's-eye view camera around the vehicle.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes with two different powertrain options. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder that generates 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded option is a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that churns out a thrilling 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque.

The standard transmission is an eight-speed automatic transmission with shift-by-wire technology, while the upgraded transmission is an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. With either of these drivetrains, you'll be able to experience a swift, responsive ride. The Santa Cruz also features Hyundai's HTRAC all-wheel-drive system for confident traction in any condition.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is shorter and lower than its pickup counterparts. This shorter design allows for a tighter turning radius, making this model easier to maneuver in close quarters. The shorter design also makes it more aerodynamic than its full-size competitors, resulting in less drag and improved fuel economy.

Inside, the Santa Cruz has one of the most comfortable cabins in its class. The interior of the Santa Cruz is designed with an emphasis on comfort, offering a seating capacity of up to five passengers. Although its cargo bed is one of the shortest in the segment, it's still spacious enough for a weekend trip or small haul.

The interior also features Hyundai's latest infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen display as standard equipment and an available 10.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims. This system includes features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless device charging, and available navigation.

For 2023, blind-spot monitoring joins the roster of standard safety features, which already includes pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, rear occupant alert, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and driver-attention monitoring. Optional safety features include traffic-sign recognition, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, and lane-centering assist.