Hyundai Motor Unveils Sports Adventure Car 'Santa Cruz' with Focus on US Market

SUV and Pickup Truck Advantages Combined in Santa Cruz Unveiled, Targeting US RV Market

Hyundai Motor Company, Sports Adventure Vehicle 'Santa Cruz'

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Hyundai Motor Company announced on the 16th that it will unveil the 'Santa Cruz' online and expand its presence in the U.S. RV (recreational vehicle) market.

The Santa Cruz is a new concept 'sports adventure vehicle' that combines the advantages of an SUV (sports utility vehicle) and a pickup truck. It was first introduced as a concept car (HCD-15) at the Detroit Motor Show in the U.S. in January 2015.

The Santa Cruz was developed based on the Tucson, the best-selling SUV model in North America, featuring excellent fuel efficiency and enhanced safety and convenience features. Production will begin in June at the Alabama plant in the U.S., with full-scale sales planned for the U.S. market in the second half of the year.

The Santa Cruz is equipped with two powertrains: a 2.5L GDI engine with 190 horsepower paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a 2.5L T-GDI engine with 275 horsepower paired with a wet 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (8DCT).

The front design resembles the Tucson but incorporates parametric jewel hidden lamps to reflect the pickup truck style. The rear lamps feature a horizontal 'T'-shaped signature lighting to provide a visually expanded feel.

Hyundai explained that the Santa Cruz comes standard with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Driver Attention Warning (DAW).

Additionally, it is equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Safe Exit Assist (SEA), Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Surround View Monitor (SVM), and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA).

A Hyundai official stated, “The Santa Cruz combines a powerful yet efficient powertrain with excellent maneuverability and advanced driving safety and convenience features, perfectly meeting the demands of U.S. customers as a new concept RV model that exquisitely blends the strengths of SUVs and pickup trucks. We expect to pioneer a new segment in the U.S. automotive market with the Santa Cruz and use it as a momentum for new growth.”