Haha!! That's pretty funny! Thanks for sharing!

Lol...I too am a senior citizen (80) and bought this baby 4 months ago. I love my Santa Cruz, the most fun I've had in years. The looks I get at the do-it-yourself car wash is priceless.

Dee in my 60s and looking to juy this when dealers start getting religion with their fees etc., have reliable vehicle at moment and looking for travel and minor off road functions thanks for your comment

Cool. Good info.

I'm turning 60 this year. I have always owned an SUV, but I am thinking seriously about this. I want to get a little trailer to tow behind it. This is practical for my uses. Shopping etc. This could be it. Is it good on gas? Is it good in the winter? I live in a northern city in Canada, but this might work well for my pug and me. Lolol Seriously, I take my pug everywhere.

People are still stuck on the 90s reputation. Those that know, know. Just like people still think Honda and Toyota are so reliable yet you'll find major issues on various models.

I went from a mini Cooper to a hyundai elantra! I have zero problems with my hyundai, zero maintenance other than oil changes and I've put 100k miles on it in 5 years. I've only needed tires! People want status I just want a safe car

Happy to hear you're happy with the SE. That's probably what's in my pay range

I love this comment! It perfectly sums up my feelings having owned this vehicle. I loved it because it fit my life. I've always said, it's not for everyone, but it really fit my lifestyle. Thanks for sharing your experiences!

How is it driving at night with those lights?

@@jonharris5788 I owned the one with the LED headlights and it was fantastic. The grill lights just help light up road signs which is necessary because the headlights are mounted low and have a very precise cut-off. So they were excellent in my use.

Awesome vehicle! You're going to love it! Thanks for sharing!

I think the Santa Cruz is a very underrated vehicle. I really like it! Thanks for sharing your experiences with it!

@@PeterLoweOne is this car one of the Hyundais getting stolen a lot¿

@@janicenunn101 no. Those would be the older cars, and to be fair that issue never happened in Canada. Our Canadian Kia and Hyundai vehicles have always come with immobilizer tech that wasn't offered on American models. So it's just not an issue here.

I love the Santa Cruz. For the right buyer, it's a brilliant vehicle! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for watching!

I had one before they were even advertised and you should have sent the people who stopped me to talk about it. Many people had NO idea what it was. It's a very cool vehicle!

I have a 2017 Tucson turbo dct and I can confirm yes it has overheated on me "offroad" and I've been looking at Santa Cruz/Tuscon/Sportage

simply buy the version w/o the turbo, then you get the non DCT engine, which is excellent. @@chettchaisson1750

I know middle is theoretically the safest but if we wanted to use the LATCH mechanism for a car seat only the sides seats are available. I’m not sure if the upside of the LATCH is worth a seat next to a side airbag (if there even is one)

Yeah, I moved from a 2018 Colorado to the Santa Cruz, and it really was a sports car compared to the truck, but even compared to other SUV's. It handles like a sports sedan from not too long ago, but with a better ride.

You were able to grab a Nite? You ass. Lol. I mean ...I technically could but it's just that $3k too much. Congrats

Thanks for watching! Yeah, I originally thought that you should tow all the time in Sport mode because it will hold your revs and delay upshifts to remain in the power. With a little bit lighter trailer you could experiment with just leaving it in the normal mode, and only use sport mode when you're heading up a hill etc. That might squeak out a little better fuel efficiency overall, but since this doesn't have a tow mode, the sport mode is best to hold on to the revs. I towed a loaded utility trailer literally across the country with my Santa Cruz. No issues!

You can run it on regular. It doesn't have any additional power or any programming that unlocks more power with higher octane, so the only reason to run higher octane would be because the higher octane (in Canada) usually has extra detergents and additives that can keep your engine clean. There's no performance benefit, or maintenance requirement for any higher octane.

I loved mine!

Awesome! Thanks for sharing! I'm a big fan of the Santa Cruz!

That's a tough one. In theory, the load levelling rear suspension should help level the vehicle out, but putting that much weight on the back can make the steering feel pretty light, and it would absolutely affect handling. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of things like that, other than on the back of a larger motorhome, or something like that. I'd rather use a trailer because I think it's simpler and the vehicle will drive better, but I have the luxury of having some space to store a trailer. I just don't have enough experience with a set up like you're talking about to be able to give you good advice. For me it's not my preference, so since I've never considered it, I haven't thought about it. My other thing is that I never max out anything when it comes to towing. Whether it's tongue weight, trailer weight etc. I think that's a good rule of thumb, and because of that, it wouldn't be something that I would do. But that doesn't mean it's not something that other's shouldn't do. Sorry for the long vague answer, but that's just my honest thoughts.

Haha! Nice!

I don't know for sure. The dual clutch transmission might be flat towable? But I'm not sure. I wouldn't think it is.

Keep in mind that this vehicle was launched during Covid at the peak of the chip shortage. This was a time where GM was shipping some of their trucks without heated seats and heated steering wheels. The Santa Cruz has a few areas where it lacks features typical of other Hyundai's at the time. The passenger seat being manual, is one. The lack of the (much hated) start stop feature that turns the engine off at stoplights etc. There are other examples too. But at the time, the decisions had to be made, don't ship the vehicle at all, or ship it without features. Because this was a brand new model, they could configure it around the chip shortage. Having said that, they still ran into supply chain issues, and people like myself were able to sell the vehicle for more than what we paid, because the order backlog was very long, and those of us with new Santa Cruz vehicles were able to sell them at a profit.

I don't have a direct connection with Hyundai that would be able to confirm anything like that right now. If I would guess, I would think that Hyundai would leave that to the aftermarket. The manufacturers like to negotiate aggressive deals with aftermarket suppliers, and I'm guessing that the company won't see enough benefit in sales to give up the profit margin that Hyundai would be looking for.

Yeah, that's the one catch with a box like this, you'll have to hang them out over the tailgate, or get roof rack accessories to hold them there. It's not that it's impossible, it just comes down to how you want to carry things. There are compromises with a vehicle like this, but there are also huge benefits, depending on how you plan to use it.

Thank you, Peter

Awesome! Thanks for sharing! I think Santa Cruz buyers know what they're getting, and every one I've spoken to has been thrilled with the vehicle.

The car doesn't need fog lights, especially if you get the LED headlights. The headlights are low and have a really good beam pattern. The rear pillar is awful for visibility when parking. You need the backup camera, and the one that I owned had the 360 camera which made parking the car a breeze and also has a camera that showed the blind spot while signalling. Those cameras were nice to confirm that no one was there, but as I say the pillars didn't bother me while driving, only while parking, where it didn't matter because of the excellent camera system. If the cameras failed, it would have been an issue.

I am either going to buy the Santa Cruz SE or SEL or a Subaru Outback. right now, my Subaru dealership has a 0% 72 month deal on the Outbacks. I wish the Cruz would offer such. Also, I noticed that the santa Cruz does not have heated wipers. @@PeterLoweOne

Haha! I think there are a NUMBER of reasons that would help it to have done better sales wise, but that's another story. I don't have mine anymore, but that has nothing to do with the vehicle, I miss it! It was the best vehicle I've ever owned, and it's not even close. I drive a Wrangler Rubicon 4XE right now. Wranglers are fun, it's a toy, and I really like the PHEV aspect of it, and there's a reason that I have that now, but the Santa Cruz is a great vehicle. If you're someone who likes one, you should get one, you won't regret it!

@@PeterLoweOne I would own one for sure if I drove more than 5 000km a year with my own vehicule !

It's going to be something that you're going to want to sit in before you buy. You may fit, but you'll leave very little room for anyone to sit behind you.

I think a lot of people have worries that just are statistically worth worrying about. This is true for all brands these days.

NO IT DOES NOT.....nor does it have a ctr arm rest ( 2022 limited)

A lot of people feel that way, and I get it, but that turbo is quick!! It changes the character of the vehicle and makes it a lot more fun.

I towed a utility trailer for that trip. But I've also towed an Aliner Classic. You'll have to google it as I can't post pictures in the comments. It towed those very well.

I think some of the news reports on issues get overplayed. I've heard a lot more issues with Bronco engines than Santa Cruz transmissions. Every car is going to have issues. I can tell you that I've towed a camping trailer with the Santa Cruz, and towed a loaded utility trailer across the country, and I never had any hint of a transmission issue with mine. I wouldn't worry about it personally.

Only about 1% had this issue in the 2022 the 2023 don’t and the ones that did were repaired under warranty!

Which engine did you get. I drove the 3cyl but it wasn't fast enough for me.

@@amyk9126 It has a 4 cylinder and a 4 cylinder Turbo. In Canada, we only get the Turbo and it's got plenty of scoot!! 😉

@@amyk9126 I bought the full size bronco, not the Bronco sport. The engine I have is the 2.7 liter twin turbo V6.

I never had an issue with that when I owned one, That would be common on a lot of modern cars as they're starting to slightly bury those windshield wipers. Again, I parked outside in the winter when I owned one, and never really had that experience.

@@PeterLoweOne SANTA CRUZ is not an old model for you to say "i owned one" your quote The best vehicle I've ever owned! ...........so you no longer have it ? it must had been for the review time...........I OWN ONE and yes it is a very nice car/suv/mini truck.......i say buy it..if you're a home owner it economical getting over 30 mpg on hw and 25 in city..

I didn't find turbo lag to be an issue on mine.

It's not turbo lag...it just doesn't allow the car to use all it's power from a stand still. It's the way it's programmed. Once it's rolling you'll really feel the power come on. People have misinterpreted it to be turbo lag. Look at any other Kia or Hyundai turbo, they do not suffer from lag.

In Canada, (where I film) we don't have the non turbo model, so we only get one engine transmission combination.

@@PeterLoweOne Nice!

Those modes are more psychological than anything else.

I LOVE the Santa Cruz! Best vehicle I've ever owned!

@@PeterLoweOne lol…and yet you traded it for a Wrangler 4xe… 🤪

I’ve wondered the same thing!

If you're in the US and get new, you will get 10 yr powertrain warranty.

@@bcyrx I just bought mine, and my Hyundai dealer doubles that. So 20 years or 200k Miles powertrain warranty (along with 3 years of oil change at 7500mi intervals).

Sure! I'm not sure how much space you want for tools or car seats, so you'd have to make sure that it fits your needs, but I'm a fan of it!

@PeterLoweOne Well right now it's down to the Santa Cruz of the Ford maverick, I want decent gas mileage and enough space for easy access to tools, currently driving a Nissan rogue. Most my stuff fits but getting to it is a pain

My buddy bought this truck for that exact reason...family car and work truck.

Haha. It is strange that Kia and Hyundai don't value that feature as much as many of their customers.

The figures are readily available online. I will say it can fit sheets of plywood, a task the Baja failed at if I recal, when they are placed on the wheel wells and the tailgate is positioned at midway point. It's about 4.5 ft depth tailgate closed, 6ft with tailgate open.

I owned the top trim with LED lights, but I agree. In a vehicle of this level, LEDs should be standard.

I remember when it launched in Canada, it felt like our top trim was a better deal than in the U.S. And to be fair, it's not going to be for everyone. Compared to several mid-sized SUV's I found it to be a fair value, but I may value different things in a vehicle than you.

True.

Yeah, they're limited in their production, but they're also focused on seeing how they do in North America at this point.

And not having to develop right had drive models… That’s costly.

I sold mine for more than I bought it for after buying it new. 🤷‍♂️

Best country in the world! 😃👍🇨🇦

I've owned a lot of cars, yes. Some of them weren't too good. The Santa Cruz was excellent in the time inownet it.

It's funny because they made a big deal about the colours they've chosen. I can see them adding different colours after a refresh, but we'll see.

Noted. 🤷‍♂️

I've worked in the auto industry for a while. I bought the Santa Cruz at a VERY inexpensive price, and had the opportunity to pick up a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4XE at a great price, and at the time my Santa Cruz was selling for WAY over asking price so I made the decision to sell it for a profit. I've moved through 9 vehicles and a couple of camping trailers in the nearly 7 years that I worked in my last auto industry job. I made money on all but one vehicle. The Santa Cruz was by far, the nicest vehicle that I've ever owned, but I don't get emotionally attached to vehicles. At that point in my life, if there was an opportunity to make money on a vehicle, I took it. I had no intention of selling the Santa Cruz, but the Wrangler Rubicon 4XE that I was able to pick up was under priced, and because of Hyundai's supply chain issues at the time the Santa Cruz was in very high demand and I had offers that were too good to pass up. Car ownership can look different if you're in the car business. I like several features of the Jeep, especially the plug in hybrid powertrain, but the Santa Cruz was a far superior vehicle in every other way.

It's a great vehicle! Thanks for watching!

@@PeterLoweOne mine is the natural aspirated 2.5 with the traditional 8 speed and it is smooth as can be , I do not like the DC transmission in hyundais but the turbo engine is powerful 👌

@@TommyG11814I’m sorry for my English. It’s my second language. Tommy I guess you are from US? How do you like non turbo SC ? I’m from Alberta and seriously thinking to buy non turbo SC down in States. I’m not a huge fan of DTC. Peter do you know what is a procedure for bringing a car from US to Canada ? I know that we have to pay 5% duty 😃 Who design this car in California ? I have promised to myself that never buy a brand new car but I think I have to change my mind. It’s a beautiful car. Thank you for a video!

@@makan1568 yes US and I do have the Natural Asperated non turbo, it is extremely smooth with the traditional 8 speed ,I do not like the dual clutch transmission at all and that's all that comes with the turbo. No issues at all with it.

@@PeterLoweOneok you already said it in the video who is a car designer. I post my comment before I watch the video 😊