Hyundai Pick-Up Truck Spy Shots (Freshly Updated)

Throughout the development phase of the Hyundai Santa Cruz pick-up truck, we have seen the vehicle in several different guises, from renders to uniform colored prototypes with the taillights already in place.

The images we have seen have all come from places other than the United States, but in images taken by Roadshow, we now see that the Santa Cruz is being put through its paces, under heavy camouflage, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The upcoming 2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup is being developed under the codename of NX4 OB, with the addition of the OB differentiating if from the NX4 code used with the Tucson.

This model has a smaller body than the traditional pickup truck, and it comes with 4 doors and seating for 5. Unlike frame-based pickups, the Santa Cruz will offer an incredibly comfortable ride, as well as great utilization of space. The pickup will become part of a new market that Hyundai are calling the urban pickup truck.

Towing with Hyundai pick-up truck possible

Rather than being a truck used for heavy towing or hauling of construction materials, the Santa Cruz urban pickup truck is being designed for adventure enthusiasts looking to transport their camping gear, bikes, or other equipment used in outdoor leisure activities.

We do know that the 2021 Santa Cruz has a unibody construction, but we know very little else outside of that. There are no specifications to report at this time, and we also don’t yet know how much the vehicle will be able to carry or tow. Our best guess is that the Santa Cruz will have more pulling power than the Santa Fe and will be more in line with the Ridgeline, which would put the towing capacity at around 5,000 pounds.

2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz pick-up to be built in U.S.

In the meantime, Hyundai is currently in the process of organizing the supply lines at their Alabama plant to make space for two new vehicles. The next generation Tucson will be the first to go into production this year, with the Santa Cruz set to hit production lines in the latter part of 2020.

As far as the engine goes, the Santa Cruz will almost certainly be powered by a 2.5-liter engine, with a hybrid options also expected to be offered. In a recent press release, Hyundai indicated that their new pickup will be targeted at millennials, who they described as “a new generation of buyers.”

While Hyundai used some concept photos when formally introducing the Santa Fe, we all know that the final production model will look different than those renderings. The expectation is that it will fall much more in line with the styling elements used in the Tucson.

As soon as we receive more news on the new Hyundai pickup truck, we will share them here, so be sure to check back often. (Photos: indianautosblog)