The 2024 New York Auto Show kicks off subsequent week, and Hyundai might be there with one thing new. Making a worldwide debut alongside the recently refreshed Tucson would be the 2025 Santa Cruz, up to date with contemporary styling and “improved capability.”
That’s precisely what Hyundai says in a brief press launch for its presence on the Big Apple’s huge present. Specifics of those capabilities are as but unknown, although Hyundai’s announcement mentions a revamped inside with higher ergonomics and a brand new infotainment system. On the surface, the Santa Cruz will shed a few of its street-truck persona with rugged-themed design tweaks. You can anticipate extra standard-issue driver-assist programs, too.
Two teaser photographs include Hyundai’s announcement. A sketch featured on the high of this submit exhibits the pickup from the again, carrying a brand new rear fascia with bigger nook cutouts and trim extending additional up the edges. It appears correctly broad, although being a sketch the proportions are possible exaggerated.
A second picture (additionally above) is a close-up of the brand new Santa Cruz grille, the place we see the blade designs of the earlier mannequin changed with rectangular cutouts. This appears just like the not too long ago up to date Tucson, bringing the fashions extra in keeping with Hyundai’s present design path.
It’s value noting that Hyundai particularly identifies each 2025 Santa Cruz teaser photographs as being the rugged-themed XRT trim. Debuting last July, XRT provides daring plastic fender flares, aspect steps, door trim, and a blackout therapy to the truck. Mechanicals stay the identical, being the 281-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine related to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox driving all 4 wheels.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT
Could Hyundai’s point out of additional functionality level to the brand new XRT trim getting some correct off-road upgrades? It’s no secret that the Ford Maverick—the one Santa Cruz competitor within the small truck phase—is positively killing it in gross sales. The Maverick brandishes a extra conventional truck form with an obtainable FX4 package deal that provides useful bits like skid plates and all-terrain tires. Bolting up some additional elements to a Santa Cruz XRT looks as if a logical step, however alas, we cannot know for certain till the covers are lifted in New York.
That occurs on March 27. We could have particulars for the brand new Santa Cruz and all of the debuts on the 2024 New York Auto Show proper right here at Motor1.