2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz remains forbidden ute for Australia

1 month ago 9

The Hyundai Santa Cruz ute has received a tougher look for 2025, but the deficiency of right-hand thrust accumulation means it’s inactive disconnected the array for Australia.

Unlike the upcoming Tasman from sister marque Kia, the Santa Cruz features unibody and not body-on-frame construction.

That makes it much of a “lifestyle” ute, and serves arsenic a rival for the Ford Maverick – different ute not exported to Australia.

Derived from the Tucson, the updates to the Santa Cruz’s interior are identical to those applied to the mid-sized crossover.

There’s a caller curved show incorporating the (optional) 12.3-inch integer instrumentality clump and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, with the second gaining wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity positive over-the-air updates.

The clime power present has switches and buttons, and there’s besides a caller steering instrumentality and aerial vents.

New instrumentality includes a digit people scanner, USB-C ports, and Digital Key 2 Touch functionality, the second of which allows you to unlock the car with your smartphone.

Externally, however, Hyundai has enactment much region betwixt the Tucson and Santa Cruz.

There’s a overmuch much squared-off grille than connected the SUV, much reminiscent of the Palisade, though it inactive includes blocky daytime moving lights similar connected the Tucson.

After its instauration for 2024, the much rugged XRT trim has received immoderate enhancements.

It present rides connected 245/60 R18 all-terrain tyres and features beforehand tow hooks, portion boasting an accrued attack angle.

It continues to diagnostic assorted exterior styling tweaks, including a unsocial grille.

There are nary mechanical changes for the 2025 Santa Cruz.

The modular motor is simply a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder motor with 142kW of powerfulness and 245Nm of torque, mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Optional is simply a turbo 2.5-litre 4 with 210kW and 422Nm, mated with an eight-speed wet-type dual-clutch auto.

Both engines travel with Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel thrust system, portion the turbo motor gains a caller tow mode. It tin tow up to 2267kg, up from the 1588kg towing capableness of the basal engine.