By The Santa Cruz is finally coming and the latest reports suggest its launch already for this summer. From what we know so far, it will come in a couple of versions in the offer, and one of them could easily be the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz N. This would be a hi-performance version of the pickup, with upgrades in various aspects, starting from a new suspension setup, upgraded styling etc. On the other hand, the engine probably wouldn’t be significantly tuned.
However, the fact is that the officials are still quiet on this matter. We have seen a couple of rendering photos but we are pretty sure that this model won’t happen, at least not for the first production year. In any case, we will bring up some of our predictions about the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz N, but make sure to take them with a big reserve.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz N Redesign
When it comes to base design characteristics, we have no doubt that there would be a couple of quite notable upgrades. However, the base design would remain largely the same as in the standard model. That means the same Tucson-based design, which would make this model more compact than a mid-size pickup truck. It will be no way near as Honda Ridgeline in terms of size, but this particular version could be a great way to stand out.
We presume there would be a lot of upgrades, especially in terms of the suspension setup. We believe the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz N would feature a stiffer setup, along with lower ground clearance. Such things would provide more engaging handling, while we would probably see upgraded brakes too.
Naturally, we would expect to see a couple of styling changes as well. This refers to bumpers, wheels and similar things that can accentuate the model’s hi-performance character.
Interior
The last generation of Hyundai vehicles has one common thing – all models look fantastic from the inside. Therefore, we expect nothing less from the new Santa Cruz. We count on high-quality materials, great build quality etc. Of course, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz N would come with a couple of tweaks, probably with upgrades in terms of materials and color schemes.
On the other hand, the base cabin layout would remain the same. This means a double cab configuration, with two rows of seats. Still, keep in mind that this model features a 7-inch shorter wheelbase compared to the Ridgeline. So, if you expect to see the amount of passenger space as in Honda’s pickup, you will be disappointed.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz N Engine
Interestingly, most sources don’t suggest bigger upgrades under the hood. Simply, the standard model will already come with a powerful turbo-four in the offer. We are talking about Hyundai’s familiar 2.5-liter turbo-four, which puts out around 275 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Also, this engine comes in pair with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, so there is really no need for bigger upgrades in this case.
On the other hand, base Santa Cruz will be significantly less powerful. They will come with a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter engine, which puts out around 190 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. Also, this engine uses a more traditional automatic transmission, instead of a dual-clutch layout.
Release Date and Price
The base version will hit the market already this summer, so we presume that the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz N would arrive a little bit later. Also, the base model will cost around 25.000 dollars, while we have no doubt this version would be far more expensive. Some sources suggest a price tag of around 35.000 dollars.
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