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    Hyundai Santa Cruz Review, For Sale & News in Australia

    Hyundai Santa Cruz Review, For Sale & News in Australia

    At time of writing it wasn’t confirmed officially but sources inside Hyundai’s Australian retail network have assured CarsGuide this sub-Ford Ranger-sized front- and all-wheel drive ute will be on sale in Australia by 2026.

    Based on the Tucson SUV, the four-door, five-seat Santa Cruz is powered by a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine matched with an eight-speed auto.

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    2025 2019
    Reviews For Sale News Q&As
    Rating Summary
    Price and features
    9
    Practicality
    9
    Driving
    8
    Safety
    8
    Overview
    Likes
    Car-based interior and comfort
    Smooth ride
    Urban SUV levels of performance, refinement, dynamics
    Dislikes
    Poor side/rear vision
    Big turning circle
    Not in Australia yet

    Hyundai Santa Cruz News

    UPCOMING MODELS
    The cars that could change Australia's ute market: Why the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux need to make way for the Ford Maverick, Hyundai Santa Cruz, Honda Ridgeline and Renault Duster Oroch | Opinion
    4 Jan 2025
    SPECULATION
    Forget Ford Ranger Vs Toyota HiLux: New ute war looms as Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick hybrid shift the balance of power in coupe-utility coup
    14 Oct 2024
    UPCOMING MODELS
    Hyundai Santa Cruz ute set for Australia: new sub Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger ute to bring back the glory days of the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore utes
    18 May 2024
    EXISTING MODELS
    2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz ute updated with tougher looking XRT variant and more tech to take on Ford Ranger's smaller Maverick sibling
    28 Mar 2024
    SPECULATION
    "Let's cut the back off a Jimny XL and make it a ute!" Suzuki Australia boss talks about how good a Jimny ute could be and what it would be like to bring back the Mighty Boy!
    16 Dec 2023
    UPCOMING MODELS
    Forget the Ford Maverick! Sub-Navara Nissan ute confirmed as by-product of renewed Renault alliance
    7 Feb 2023
    OPINION
    Mini Toyota HiLux, Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz - don't deny Aussies these utes | Opinion
    28 Jan 2023
    SPECULATION
    Forget the HiLux and Tundra: This is the ute that will really change Toyota's game in Australia
    19 Jan 2023
    INDUSTRY NEWS
    It's time: Why new left-hand drive-only cars like the Ford Bronco, Honda Integra, Dodge Challenger and Toyota Venza should be allowed to be registered in Australia
    22 Oct 2022
    See all Hyundai Santa Cruz News

    Hyundai Santa Cruz FAQs

    If the Hyundai Santa Cruz ute is sold in Australia will it be classified as an LCV?

    The Santa Cruz not only has an integrated tub, it’s also a monocoque design rather than a separate body on a ladder-style chassis as many commercial vehicles are. But it would, in Australia, still be classified as a light commercial vehicle. According to the Federal Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, light commercial vehicles are: '…motor vehicles constructed to carry goods or specialised equipment that are less than or equal to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass. They include utility vehicles, panel vans, cab chassis vehicles and goods vans.' And that pretty neatly describes the Santa Cruz utility.

    There has been a lot of talk about the Hyundai tray-back making it to Australia, but a couple of things are standing in the way. The volume models, for a start, are front-wheel-drive and the construction rules out the huge towing limit of something like a Toyota HiLux or Ford Ranger (3.5 tonnes). But there’s plenty to suggest that the Santa Cruz would be a nicer thing to drive than a conventional dual-cab ute and, for those who don’t need to tow super-heavy loads, the Hyundai might make a bit of sense. But don’t hold your breath on it coming here. For now, Hyundai is saying no to an Australian launch, purely because the Santa Cruz is not being built in right-hand-drive form.

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    Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. CarsGuide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.