Recently bought a 2023 XRT 2.5T sight unseen and shipped it to my mother who lives on a farm. It’s perfect for a senior citizen who no longer needs a full-size pickup, but still needs a truck bed to carry things like jerry cans of fuel and other stuff you would not want inside the cab. I got to finally drive it and gotta say it’s small but otherwise comfortable with decent performance and utility.
This was the best indepth review on the Santa Cruz I have seen so far. i've watched about 8 videos on this vehicle and this was the best by far explaining details the features of this model. No other video even showed or touched on the towing hitch or pin option. Awesome job sir.
Nice review. Good luck dude. I already bought it and pick it up in a few hours, but your video was pretty thorough. Idk if reviews is your gig but nice job!
This 'truck' is in its own lane. I love it. There's some people turned off by this but I think it's really cool. I don't want a Ford Maverick... it's lame as hell otherwise I may as well buy a full truck. The SUV-truck'ish design of this is an industry game changer. my only gripe with this vehicle is that it eats gas like crazy on every trim level especially the turbo ones. Hyundai needs to release a hybrid version.
Each has it's positives and negatives. Maverick has a more useful bed and gets better gas mileage. The SC has a more upscale interior and has a more custom look. I test drove a SC SEL AWD (non-turbo) and a Maverick XLT eco boost AWD and ended up buying the Maverick.
@@Snake-ms7sj "If"..."if" you can remove the hard cover box, which I think you can, because they sell aftermarket soft roll covers, the bed is 2" shorter.
Excellent review!! I test drove an XRT trim today and enjoyed it very much. My wife has a Tucson and one day when I had it in for service I saw a Santa Cruz and I thought it would be cool to check out. Especially because it competes with the Ford Maverick! Have not test drove one of those yet. Which do you like better?
I have the 22 model loaded. I keep hearing about the transmission. It does have an excellent warranty. I will say starting off in first with the turbo feels laggy. I’m missing the plastic cubby cover on the left. Bought it used @8000 miles
We have a '23 SE w/Adventure package. It has many of the "goodies" shown here, (including WIRELESS Android Auto and it's a PAIN) but not the turbo w/ its potentially problematic DCT. We like it quite a bit, it fits our use case nicely. Maverick probably would have too. But, it was basically not available at time of purchase, and it's not nearly as aesthically appealing.
The Santa Cruz forum can best answer that question. But, depending on what you want for tires, you may need to add wheel spacers or a lift (a number of aftermarket options available, w/RUclips info on most).
People are taking them much further than I would have expected. But it is a cross over, so they do have some capabilities. I would definitely take them off road within reason. If I were to have one, I would use traction control in all the modes conditions I would drive it in. Maybe I would disable traction control in snowy road conditions. Most of the time, I would leave it activated. If you own one of these, and you wanted more loose condition capability. The first thing I would do is put an all-terrain style tire on it. I would however choose an all-terrain that is still suited for low noise on the street. Maybe a plus 1 sized tire at most, but probably a stock size. I would also get a brake compound pad that is for towing to push it even further. The last thing I would do is put a torsion style limited slip in the back diff. You should also be able to get one for the front, but that's really as far as I would probably go. Then the capabilities would be nicely upgraded, but clearance would keep my adventuring within reason. Very nice Cross over vehicle!
Love my 24Cruz knight. Wanna save little money the knight has all the same features except wrapped st/wheel. Incl cargo netS&dvdr ,carpetedmats,1staide kit,wheel locks. Blkonblk w/blk rims. There's a4th cluster display super cool Cube theme.
@@703SpeedI wasn't impressed by the bass at first but then I increased the bass up a couple of notches in audio settings, anything more and my ears feel overwhelmed.
Hyundai is from what i’ve heard in the past few months is they are going to start introducing wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play with the OTA updates in these vehicles. Hope it’s true.
@@703SpeedOur '23 SE with the Andventure Package has wireless Android Auto. I don't think it has Apple Carplay, but I don't need it, so I never tried to find out. Btw, I HATE the Andriod Auto system. The other day, I was in the yard on the phone when my wife pulled in the driveway, and Android Auto transferred the call to the car! Truly, the Infotainment System is the biggest fail on this Cruck. It's like the design group had a meeting to figure out how to make owners the most frustrated and angry. It's BAD! And that's coming from someone that also owns a '16 Mazda CX-9. The SC's Infotainment UI is far from intuitive, and in my experience inconsistent (you never know what screen you'll get with the "Media" and/or "Home" buttons). Btw, the "Home" button isn't always available on screen, and more or less forced programing the "Star" button as the "Home" button. If I could swap it for a good 'ol single DIN Jensen, it'd already been done.
Did you see the Subaru Crosstrek beating Toyota RAV4 in the snow? Not only did the snow go up past the frame it should of got hung up but it didn't and it was going up a hill! Like to see this compared to Crosstrek doing the same thing!
Honda and Hyundai are two different car manufacturers. Please don’t combine the names into one. Common pronunciation is Hun-day, not Hawn-day. (Although I do actually remember it commonly said like Hy-yoon-die wayyyy back when.)
I have them on my Bronco and I hate them. I'm tall so I have no use for them. They are good for shorter people getting into the bronco however. I would rather just have rock rails.
Depends on what state you are in, after a few of the same issues, it could quality for state Lemon Laws and they will be forced to purchase it back from you.
Our base engine model w/ 8 speed auto has been fine (I understand that to be most people's experience). People with the turbo and DCT seem to be the ones having issues.
Terrible review, it has wireless Android auto and Apple, what else did he get wrong, he was obviously bias on this model or ignorant as to its features or both.
Love mine! I call it the perfect truck for folks who don't need a truck.
Recently bought a 2023 XRT 2.5T sight unseen and shipped it to my mother who lives on a farm. It’s perfect for a senior citizen who no longer needs a full-size pickup, but still needs a truck bed to carry things like jerry cans of fuel and other stuff you would not want inside the cab. I got to finally drive it and gotta say it’s small but otherwise comfortable with decent performance and utility.
Perfect write up..
This was the best indepth review on the Santa Cruz I have seen so far. i've watched about 8 videos on this vehicle and this was the best by far explaining details the features of this model. No other video even showed or touched on the towing hitch or pin option. Awesome job sir.
recently purchased 2024 Sel with activity package. California sand , loving it ! video was well done. thank you
How many miles on the engine?
Nice review. Good luck dude. I already bought it and pick it up in a few hours, but your video was pretty thorough. Idk if reviews is your gig but nice job!
About to buy one this week. Thanks for a great review!
I have this truck. Love it!,I drove my granddaughters and fell in love with it, i traded in my Honda exl crv for my xrt 24.
This 'truck' is in its own lane. I love it. There's some people turned off by this but I think it's really cool. I don't want a Ford Maverick... it's lame as hell otherwise I may as well buy a full truck. The SUV-truck'ish design of this is an industry game changer.
my only gripe with this vehicle is that it eats gas like crazy on every trim level especially the turbo ones. Hyundai needs to release a hybrid version.
💯 Agree. Even in Eco mode, it's such bad gas mileage in the city.
It's truly a modern BRAT.
Great review very in-depth but quick
If you want a fleet looking truck go for the Maverick. If you want a lifestyle Sports Adventure Truck go with the Santa Cruz.
Good way to put it
Each has it's positives and negatives. Maverick has a more useful bed and gets better gas mileage. The SC has a more upscale interior and has a more custom look. I test drove a SC SEL AWD (non-turbo) and a Maverick XLT eco boost AWD and ended up buying the Maverick.
@@Snake-ms7sj "If"..."if" you can remove the hard cover box, which I think you can, because they sell aftermarket soft roll covers, the bed is 2" shorter.
Maverick
My grandparents gonna get one tomorrow hopefully 😊
Excellent review!! I test drove an XRT trim today and enjoyed it very much. My wife has a Tucson and one day when I had it in for service I saw a Santa Cruz and I thought it would be cool to check out. Especially because it competes with the Ford Maverick! Have not test drove one of those yet. Which do you like better?
Waiting for you to review/comparison to the 2025 xrt💯🙏🏽
Yes. Following
I have the 22 model loaded. I keep hearing about the transmission. It does have an excellent warranty. I will say starting off in first with the turbo feels laggy. I’m missing the plastic cubby cover on the left. Bought it used @8000 miles
We have a '23 SE w/Adventure package. It has many of the "goodies" shown here, (including WIRELESS Android Auto and it's a PAIN) but not the turbo w/ its potentially problematic DCT.
We like it quite a bit, it fits our use case nicely. Maverick probably would have too. But, it was basically not available at time of purchase, and it's not nearly as aesthically appealing.
One day. I buy new 24' Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Yeah I have researching on trucks and so far I really I am sold on the Santa Cruz. Though I have a question on the tires can you opt for bigger tires?
Not from factory - no
Why would you want to? Bigger tires = worse gas mileage.
Standard is 18. You can go from 17 to 20's aftermarket.
The Santa Cruz forum can best answer that question. But, depending on what you want for tires, you may need to add wheel spacers or a lift (a number of aftermarket options available, w/RUclips info on most).
Tires or rims ?
This rugged look is not bad at all. I would change those side steps tho.
People are taking them much further than I would have expected. But it is a cross over, so they do have some capabilities. I would definitely take them off road within reason.
If I were to have one, I would use traction control in all the modes conditions I would drive it in. Maybe I would disable traction control in snowy road conditions. Most of the time, I would leave it activated.
If you own one of these, and you wanted more loose condition capability. The first thing I would do is put an all-terrain style tire on it. I would however choose an all-terrain that is still suited for low noise on the street. Maybe a plus 1 sized tire at most, but probably a stock size. I would also get a brake compound pad that is for towing to push it even further. The last thing I would do is put a torsion style limited slip in the back diff. You should also be able to get one for the front, but that's really as far as I would probably go.
Then the capabilities would be nicely upgraded, but clearance would keep my adventuring within reason. Very nice Cross over vehicle!
Love my 24Cruz knight.
Wanna save little money the knight has all the same features except wrapped st/wheel. Incl cargo netS&dvdr ,carpetedmats,1staide kit,wheel locks. Blkonblk w/blk rims. There's a4th cluster display super cool Cube theme.
I missed where you said why you don't like the sound system. Why didn't you like it? Is it the premium sound system?
Didn't have the bass I wanted.. Still good enough for a lot of people though
@@703SpeedI wasn't impressed by the bass at first but then I increased the bass up a couple of notches in audio settings, anything more and my ears feel overwhelmed.
Hyundai is from what i’ve heard in the past few months is they are going to start introducing wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play with the OTA updates in these vehicles. Hope it’s true.
I hope so.. Their vehicles "need" it
How would Android Auto update be done without OTA? Use a wire?
Purchased a new 2023 Santa Cruz Night Edition this past January and it already had wireless Android Auto. It's been available for at least a year.
usb key
@@703SpeedOur '23 SE with the Andventure Package has wireless Android Auto. I don't think it has Apple Carplay, but I don't need it, so I never tried to find out.
Btw, I HATE the Andriod Auto system. The other day, I was in the yard on the phone when my wife pulled in the driveway, and Android Auto transferred the call to the car!
Truly, the Infotainment System is the biggest fail on this Cruck. It's like the design group had a meeting to figure out how to make owners the most frustrated and angry. It's BAD! And that's coming from someone that also owns a '16 Mazda CX-9.
The SC's Infotainment UI is far from intuitive, and in my experience inconsistent (you never know what screen you'll get with the "Media" and/or "Home" buttons). Btw, the "Home" button isn't always available on screen, and more or less forced programing the "Star" button as the "Home" button. If I could swap it for a good 'ol single DIN Jensen, it'd already been done.
Now my first Hyundai pickup truck to buy.
For less than $1000 more one could get a Limited which includes a lot more equipment. But,alas, I have a Chevy Colorado. Which I really like a lot.
Ford Dealers In My Area Still Charging 3 To 5 Thousand Over Sticker Price, Local Hyundai Store Has Several SC At 33 To 35 Thousand Hyundai For Me !
Sucks you still can't get Ventilated front seats without the DCT Transmission and base engine.
ITS LIKE MANY THINGS . You said its over 42 K you should get some better then though. That's a lot of money you can get a truck?
I wonder if the 2025 version will keep the hd radio data ETC
Dual clutch is the way to go
My 2023 SEL model Santa Cruz has wireless Android/Apple connectivity.
The problem in snow is it will go through all snow just like any other vehicle untill the frame gets hung up
Did you see the Subaru Crosstrek beating Toyota RAV4 in the snow? Not only did the snow go up past the frame it should of got hung up but it didn't and it was going up a hill! Like to see this compared to Crosstrek doing the same thing!
Love my XRT.
Are all the 2024 Santa Cruz XRT's equipped with the 5000 lb tow??
Yes
My 2021 Hyundai Sonata SEL+ has wireless Android Auto. So it's not the entire line that does't have it.
So it is Tucson SUV with open trunk .Over price ! in Canada start 43 K
Looks like the over heat is not good
Can you tow it 4 down?
Honda and Hyundai are two different car manufacturers. Please don’t combine the names into one. Common pronunciation is Hun-day, not Hawn-day. (Although I do actually remember it commonly said like Hy-yoon-die wayyyy back when.)
How many passengers will try to pull down that imaginary armrest in the 2nd row? Gotta have an armrest there. It's a must.
Quite a few I’d assume
min is a 2022 but my screen is not like what your showing
ready too sell this as info tainment is not working that is your video shows
just use the paddled instead of your manual mode
Maverick made in mexico,rust queen. Santa Cruz Made in Indiana by USA LABOR
NOT A CHOICE, BUY HYUNDAI and enjoy luxury ride for years.
What about the road noise?
Not bad
Maverick.
Why?
Those side steps are so unnecessary 😂
Good for washing the top🤷🏾♂️😂
Lol.. Fr.. But like homie said, it would be helpful when washing the top
I have them on my Bronco and I hate them. I'm tall so I have no use for them. They are good for shorter people getting into the bronco however. I would rather just have rock rails.
Can they not be removed????
Don’t buy the Santa Cruz has transmission problems. I just had my replacement @ 1200 miles and still havering problems.
That sucks. You have the turbo?
Let them fix it under warranty and then trade it. I wouldn't want a vehicle that craps out at 1200 miles.
Depends on what state you are in, after a few of the same issues, it could quality for state Lemon Laws and they will be forced to purchase it back from you.
@geeruiz233 what year and model was yours?
Our base engine model w/ 8 speed auto has been fine (I understand that to be most people's experience). People with the turbo and DCT seem to be the ones having issues.
Is that dog crap you parked over?
Could've been.. Lol
DCT Junk
Don't get the turbo with dual clutch.
Is there any other way to get it?
Nice vehicle but I think it should have more interior room. A 6 cylinder would have been nice as well.
My 2.5 turbo is better than some of the 6 cylinders I've had in the past.
For the price I would rather buy a 24 Nissan Frontier. You get more truck and reliability
I hate that gd sunroof
How did this guy not think about moving that car to cover the dog shit?
Why To controled too much computed
For 42k, might as well purchase a Tacoma
I had a 23 night edition, git rid if it before it hit 2000 miles. What a giant pile of crap.
Don't buy USED vehicles
Santa Cruz blows
That bed is too small to do truck stuff. I would rather have this in an suv so you have more cubic feet of storage. I just don't get this design.
Terrible review, it has wireless Android auto and Apple, what else did he get wrong, he was obviously bias on this model or ignorant as to its features or both.
Do you want to bet $1000 that it does NOT have wireless Apple CarPlay? Let me know..
pay more for less gas efficiency? lol