Based on the Tucson, the Santa Cruz melds a small SUV and pickup truck into one vehicle. It is similar in concept to the Honda Ridgeline, albeit smaller. The base engine is a rather strained 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Uplevel models come with a powerful turbo engine, making this trucklet quick. Front- or all-wheel drive versions are available. The Santa Cruz drives like a car with responsive handling, comfortable ride and easy maneuverability. But rear visibility is hampered due to the small rear window and thick rear pillar. Maximum tow capacity is 5,000 lbs. The short 52-inch bed has a handy hidden trunk and turbo versions come with a built-in lockable tonneau cover. FCW and AEB with pedestrian detection are standard. BSW and RCTW became standard beginning with the 2023 model year.