Hyundai Santa Cruz pick-up revealed in Detroit

Hyundai has given the traditional US pick-up a contemporary flavour by revealing its Santa Cruz Crossover at the Detroit Motor Show.

The Santa Cruz is designed to provide pick-up practicality in a classy SUV-style package that appeals to trendy urban dwellers. The bold design features an aggressive front, with a hexagonal grille and LED foglamps. 

A wide stance and oversized wheels provide a hint of muscle, while rear-hinged doors provide access to the rear seats. Inside, there’s seating for five.

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Power is provided by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine offering 187bhp and 407Nm of torque, while fuel economy is claimed to be upwards of 35mpg. Hyundai’s HTRAC four-wheel-drive system is fitted, too.

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Although Hyundai didn’t provide exact dimensions for the Santa Cruz, it is broadly the same size as a compact SUV, for easy parking, but its practicality can be boosted by an innovative tailgate extension.

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Pick-ups’ share of the market in the US has fallen five per cent in the last 10 years, with young buyers and women in particular looking elsewhere for their vehices.

And if the Santa Cruz goes into production it will be firmly targeted at saloon and SUV buyers who need greater practicality occasionaly rather than current pick-up buyers.

Dave Zuchowski, CEO of Hyundai America, said: “Based on response here, we will try to get this fast-tracked for production. “This would work for Europe, which is ahead of the game in terms of urbanization.”

Click here to see what else is on show at the Detroit Motor Show...