The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz brings the truck with a anybody design into its second year of production that is available. Hyundai has expanded its lineup by introducing the Night package available for the vehicle. The lineup is diverse and is priced at more than $1,780.
This Santa Cruz Night version comes with all the features of the SEL Activity trim level but with all-wheel drive. Instead of the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, this version comes with the 2.5-litre turbocharged engine and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
What’s new in 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
- Safety features are now included on all models
- SEL Premium features a larger touchscreen, adaptive cruise and other features that are brand new
- The New Night edition package adds exterior blackout treatment
- The first Santa Cruz generation was introduced in 2022.
Further evidence that the trends in automotive are always changing The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz has helped revive the compact pickup, one that was largely gone following the mini-trucking boom went out of fashion, with its survivors being relegated to servicing with landscapers and pool cleaning.
 However, Santa Cruz takes us back to when tiny mini-bed pickups dotted the roads with fuel-efficient, small engines that could still do the massive lifting.
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Engine Options
We have heard of two potential powertrain options as of now. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes with a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine powered by gasoline. It has 200 horsepower and 180 pounds of torque.
This isn’t a lot, but it’s plenty to create a roar. The same engine is fitted with a turbocharger that boosts the power up to 285 horsepower. It’s not too bad.
Both engines are equipped with an automatic transmission with 8 speeds. The turbocharged engine can have dual-clutch systems that are highly sought-after today.
All-wheel drive is a possibility; it is important to note that the fuel efficiency of this engine is among the highest in its class. Using the combined engine, it can go the equivalent of 23 miles per gallon and up to 22 miles of fuel.
Officials from Hyundai confirmed that there would be a hybrid or electric version of the engine. It may not be right away, but it’s something they aim to achieve.
There is a huge demand for electric vehicles, and Hyundai is looking to fulfil it. They may take inspiration from Tucson, and the electric motor that is in the SUV can travel over 33 miles using only electricity.
What kind of vehicle is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz? What does it compare to?
Amid pickup-truck utility and family SUV luxury, The Hyundai Santa Cruz does its best to satisfy a wide range of demands.
It competes with its competitors, the Ford Maverick and Honda Ridgeline. Some buyers might consider it a smaller version of a pickup like that of the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma.
Although neither practical nor extremely comfortable Although neither is it particularly comfortable nor practical, the Santa Cruz occupies an appealing middle space. It scored a 6.3 /10 on the TCC scale.
How much will 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?
Santa Cruz is a great option. Santa Cruz lineup starts a less than $25,000 but could reach around $41,000 if every option box is checked.
It’s a wide spectrum, and we’d suggest choosing one of the more affordable SEL models. With all-wheel drive and a turbo engine, the SEL Premium is fairly lavish at about $37,500.
Where is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz made?
In Montgomery, Alabama.
Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz a good-looking car? Â
If a pickup is flirty and sexy, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz nails it. Its toughened Tucson face and ute-style bed might appear at odds with each other. However, according to our scoring system, the overall package is good enough to earn a 7/10.
In 2023, the Santa Cruz stretches a huge length of 196 inches, which makes it no less than mid-sized pickups based on trucks in the form of a crew cab.
In comparison to Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier, Nissan Frontier and Ford Ranger, however, it’s a lot more spacious. Santa Cruz looks positively muscular and sporty, thanks to its low frontal stance with flared and rounded fenders. The standard 18-inch alloy wheels are upgraded to 20-inches with higher versions.
Inside the interior, the Santa Cruz plucks even more Tucson options, such as the choice of 8.0and 10.3-inch touchscreens that are integrated with capacitive climate control.
There’s a lot of smudge-resistant black plastic, but the overall look is elegant and sophisticated enough to fit Hyundai’s high-priced offerings.
How much will the 2023 Santa Cruz cost?
Its 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz price starts at $26,745. This price includes the delivery fee and is an increase of $1,010 from 2022’s Santa Cruz SE trim, which is the base version. Each trim is up $740 to $1780 when compared to 2022.
The highest-spec Santa Cruz Limited AWD 2.5 Turbo trim brings the price to $41,615, which is too expensive with everything bells and whistles.
However, the price also includes basic options. The standard included a forward collision warning, an automatic emergency brake that detects cyclists and pedestrians, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warnings.
You also now have the safety exit warning, the blind spot warning, collision avoidance aid, and the rear warning for crossing traffic.
The Santa Cruz SEL Premium now comes with a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen that includes integrated voice recognition, navigation and adaptive cruise control that includes stops and goes, speed limits assistance, and a cruise control based on navigation. It detects curves to adjust the speed automatically.
How much power does 2023 Santa Cruz have?
It’s 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz hasn’t received any technological upgrades. The standard engine is identical to the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 pounds of torque.
It is possible to upgrade with the 2.5-litre turbocharged engine inline-four for 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.
With turbo technology, with the turbo, the Santa Cuz can go from 0-60 speed in 6.5 minutes. It can weigh up to 5000 pounds and carry up to 1,906 pounds. It comes with an 8.6-inch ground clearance and can be fitted with AWD.
Some unique options, like the 360-degree camera and the trunk inside the bed, make the Santa Cruz more enticing. It’s an easy ride, with responsive handling and a little wind noise when riding at higher speeds.
There could be more upgrades as 2023 approaches; however, this vehicle is brand new. It’s too early to anticipate the latest in technology and power. We’re eager to test how the Night version compares to the other options.
