The Santa Cruz combines the attributes of a small SUV and a pickup truck into one vehicle. Similar in concept to the larger Honda Ridgeline, the Tucson-based Santa Cruz could be perfect for the buyer who wants a stylish mode of transport with car-like ride, handling, and maneuverability but who also occasionally needs an open bed to avoid getting their SUV’s cargo area dirty.
At just over four-feet long, the Santa Cruz’s bed is smaller than that of any other pickup, including the Ford Maverick and Ridgeline. As such, it isn’t well suited to carrying bicycles or any number of common recreational toys. But the Santa Cruz—which Hyundai markets as a “Sport Adventure Vehicle”—is perfect for transporting grubby garden supplies, grills and coolers for tailgating, or carrying wet gear back from the lake when towing a small boat.