The idea for a crossover truck isn’t a new one. Things like the Honda Ridgeline, Chevrolet Avalanche, and even the GMC Envoy XUV have trotted down that path. Nevertheless, Hyundai’s latest concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show is a truck->ke242 of sorts. It’s called the Santa Cruz and Hyundai says it combines all the driving dynamics of a crossover SUV->ke288 with the utility of a small pickup. A quick read of the press release (below) confirms suspicions that the Santa Cruz Concept is a lifestyle vehicle aimed at Millennials who have “unspoken needs” of greater utility.

“Santa Cruz is the perfect vehicle for those that want the attributes of a CUV, but still have dirty stuff that belongs ‘in the back,’” Hyundai says. The idea is tantalizing: to have room for muddy shoes, fishing or sporting gear, and the occasional stack of firewood without giving up the car-like interior and easy driving attributes.

The Santa Cruz does offer an interesting solution for hauling longer loads in its shorter bed. Beneath the bed lining lies a second section that pulls out like a drawer, added length to the bed’s floor and side walls. The tailgate remains fully functional, allowing easy access to the bed. Cargo tie downs line the inside of the box for easily securing items. A hard-folding tonneau cover seals the bed for weather and security.

What’s more, Hyundai->ke201 has thrown in a 2.0-liter turbodiesel that makes 190 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. The automaker expects the Santa Cruz to achieve fuel economy ratings in the upper 30-mpg range.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept.

2015 Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 190
  • Torque: 300
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Santa Cruz certainly takes on an interesting look. It shares a similar overall footprint as a crossover, but things behind the missing B-pillar take a different turn. Where the B-pillar would normally reside is now the joint for the conventional front door and the rear-hinged suicide door. Think of it as an extended cab pickup. The bed area is completely connected to the cab, reinforcing the idea that this is no ordinary pickup.

Design cues around the Santa Cruz hark to other Hyundai designs, including the Santa Fe crossover and Genesis sedan. One aspect not seen before are the racing style center-lock wheels. The two-tone look also adds plenty of character, matching the light and darker tones on the Santa Cruz’s body.

Interior

Hyundai hasn’t said much about the Santa Cruz’s interior beyond suggesting it will appeal to Millennials’ sense of style. Expect modern features like touch screens, digital gauges, and plenty of storage cubbies for various-sized items. The extended cab-like space allows for seating five people, though likely in a compromised manner for those in back. Hyundai stresses the purpose of the Santa Cruz is to be a compact vehicle capable of navigating crowded streets and parking garages while giving functionality for weekend adventures. Additional cab space would impede on this design direction.

Drivetrain

Behind the Santa Cruz’s shapely grille lies a 2.0-liter turbodiesel making 190 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Then engine is backed by Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel drive system for added functionality. Thanks to the diesel’s efficiency, Hyundai expects the Santa Cruz to achieve more than 35 mpg on the highway.

Conversely, the crossover truck’s purpose is urban adventuring, so towing or hauling heavy loads and traversing hard-core off-road trails isn’t on the docket. Expect it to tow no more than Hyundai’s crossover SUVs.

Drivetrain Specifications

Type

2.0-liter turbo diesel

Output

190 HP

Torque

300 LB-FT

Fuel Economy

35+ mpg


Prices

No mention of price escaped during the presentation, but expect the Santa Cruz to be competitively priced against the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma. That is, of course, if the Santa Cruz ever gets the green light for production.

Competition

2016 Chevrolet Colorado

The Colorado’s second year into production will see the addition of the long-awaited 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel. Estimates suggest the powerplant will produce at least 200 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque when the engine debuts, along with getting class-leading fuel economy.

GM’s Colorado and Canyon trucks already drive like crossovers with a bed attached, plus come with a host of bolt-on cargo-holding solutions. This will prove a tough competitor for the Hyundai.

Pricing for the Colorado starts at $20,995 for the base truck. Expect prices to start around $28,000 for the diesel version once it hits the market.

2016 Toyota Tacoma

Toyota has just released its latest version of the venerable Tacoma pickup truck. The midsizer comes with updated styling inside and out, a revised suspension system, and a new 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline engine. A new six-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmission offer customers choices that other truckmakers don’t.

The new V-6 is said to make more horsepower and torque than the outgoing 4.0-liter V-6, plus boast significantly improved fuel economy ratings. Expect the new engine to produce at least 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque; more is likely.

Pricing should stay in the same ballpark as the current truck’s $18,000 base MSRP.

Conclusion

The Santa Cruz is Hyundai’s first venture into pickup territory, though the automaker doesn’t consider the vehicle a true pickup in conventional form. While the Santa Cruz technically competes with the new midsizers from GM and Toyota, the Hyundai approaches things with a bit more style. Granted, the Santa Cruz is just a concept, but a production version would still be a large departure from its competition.

We’re looking forward to what Hyundai’s got in store for the future.