The Optimal Moment Has Arrived For A Hyundai Santa Cruz N

The Hyundai Santa Cruz created a stir upon its introduction merely three years ago. Originating from the brand’s Tucson crossover, it marks Hyundai’s inaugural four-door pickup truck in the US, blending the utility of a functional bed, the nimbleness of a compact vehicle, and the sophisticated comfort of a unibody crossover. Of significance, its unique market positioning opens up various potentials, potentially captivating American auto enthusiasts with a thrilling rendition.

High-power iterations are prevalent in diverse niches; however, the Santa Cruz offers an excellent platform for a high-performance urban truck. Picture a Santa Cruz N – a spirited, formidable variation of the lifestyle truck embodying Hyundai’s N division’s motto of “Always beyond driving.” With Ford announcing the resurgence of the urban truck realm with its freshly unveiled Maverick Lobo, the timing appears ripe for Hyundai to introduce a formidable competitor.

The Era Of Street Trucks

Urban trucks boast a rich heritage tracing back to the muscle car epoch of the 1960s and 1970s, where automakers commenced exploring performance-oriented pickups. The trend peaked from the ’80s to the early 2000s with models such as the Chevrolet 454 SS and Ford SVT Lightning (distinct from the brand’s current electric pickup), merging robust engines with sporty stylings.

What distinguishes urban trucks from contemporary performance trucks is their predominant emphasis on on-road presence. While performance trucks like the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX excel in off-road speed adventures, urban trucks prioritize agility, velocity, and driving delight on paved surfaces.

Over the last ten years, the number of street trucks on the roads has dwindled, yet tuners can still be spotted crafting astonishing customizations. Ford shaking things up with a high-performance Maverick straight from the dealership floor opens doors for other car manufacturers to reintroduce this category to a fresh audience, with Hyundai’s Santa Cruz N posing as a formidable competitor – though it faces stiff competition.

Ford Maverick Lobo: The Revival of Street Trucks

Ford Maverick Lobo Fast Facts

• The new Lobo variant boasts a lowered ride height compared to the standard Maverick.
• Equipped with the same turbocharged EcoBoost engine featured across the Maverick lineup.
• Comes with a specially calibrated steering system and a distinct transmission configuration.

Included in the 2025 Ford Maverick lineup is the Lobo, taking inspiration from the iconic street truck culture. With its revamped appearance, including a redesigned interior, reduced ride height (front lowered by 0.5 inches and rear by 1.12 inches), 19-inch black wheels, unique grille, and painted rear bumper and rocker moldings, the Lobo stands out. Not only does it feature a specially calibrated steering system for improved handling akin to a sports car rather than a truck, but it also differentiates itself by incorporating torque vectoring with a twin-clutch rear drive unit and larger brakes that utilize dual-piston front brake calipers borrowed from Europe’s Ford Focus ST.

However, there is room for enhancement in the Maverick Lobo, especially in terms of power. It is powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine found in the rest of the Maverick lineup, generating 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. While adequate, a bit more power wouldn’t hurt. It utilizes a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, featuring distinct gear ratios for improved acceleration compared to the standard eight-speed, but as they say – more power is always better.

The rivalry between the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz has been evident ever since their inception earlier in this decade. Small trucks are a rarity in the USA, and these two lead in an even smaller segment. Nevertheless, Ford has recently dominated sales charts, with the Maverick outselling the Santa Cruz twice over last year. Even without high-performance versions, Ford is ahead – and this lead will only grow with the Maverick Lobo being the only link to the street truck heritage in 2024.

The rivalry could reach new heights with the introduction of a high-performance Santa Cruz N. Hyundai has the chance to respond to the Maverick Lobo’s dominance in the street truck category by unveiling a Santa Cruz N that excels in areas such as handling, power, acceleration, and overall performance. The Santa Cruz already stands out with its car-like agility. By tapping into Hyundai’s N division expertise, the Santa Cruz’s appeal can be enhanced, solidifying its position within the segment.

The Hyundai N Brand

The Hyundai N division, named after the Namyang R&D Center in South Korea and the Nürburgring test track in Germany, is renowned for crafting high-performance models that deliver exhilarating driving experiences. Despite the shift towards electrification, the expansion of the Hyundai N brand has resulted in the discontinuation of some exciting gasoline-powered, performance-oriented models like the Kona N and Veloster N. Nevertheless, the all-electric Ioniq 5 N shines as a testament to the brand’s ability to create performance vehicles even without traditional combustion engines.

Currently, Hyundai USA only offers the Elantra N alongside the Ioniq 5 N. While the former is a powerful ICE sedan boasting class-leading horsepower from its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, having a pickup truck join the N lineup would be fantastic. A Santa Cruz N exclusive to North America would align perfectly with the N brand’s ethos in this region, catering to a new wave of consumers seeking a performance-oriented truck for on-road adventures.

Design Concept of a Hyundai Santa Cruz N

Should Hyundai opt to develop a Santa Cruz N variant, it would probably seek inspiration from the design language and styling cues of its current N models, particularly Hyundai N’s iconic Performance Blue exterior color – complemented with orange/red accents. Expect to witness bold front and rear bumpers, larger air intakes, and unique N badging to differentiate it from the regular Santa Cruz.

Going beyond the dynamic exterior, we believe the Santa Cruz N might feature a firmer suspension, larger wheels, and performance-oriented tires, improving both aesthetics and its on-road performance. Internally, the Santa Cruz N could showcase sporty seats, a distinctive steering wheel, and N-specific interior accents emphasizing its performance-oriented nature. Let’s now delve into the potential engine options that we would like to see in an N-branded pickup truck.

Possible Power Plants

The Hyundai Motor Group boasts a diverse range of powertrains, notably the aluminum Smartstream engine that is shared among the Korean conglomerate’s brands: Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Despite the arrival of the 2025 Santa Cruz with enhanced technology and updated styling, it continues to be powered by the same turbocharged 2.5-liter Smartstream four-cylinder engine generating 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque – figures that already outmatch the Maverick Lobo.

If Hyundai were to introduce a Santa Cruz N and equip it with a more potent engine, the setup from the Sonata N-Line could be an excellent candidate. The turbocharged four-cylinder is calibrated to produce 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. When utilized in the rear-wheel-drive application on the highly athletic Genesis GV70, it can deliver up to 300 hp. While the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 from Genesis models could be a consideration, this engine generates impressive figures at 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. While an electrified configuration is feasible, it seems improbable due to the potential weight penalties that could impact overall performance.

Is the Market Ready?

The auto industry is in a constant state of change. Muscle pickups may not hold the same appeal now as in the past, yet consumer preferences remain unpredictable. While contemporary performance pickups have typically emphasized off-road capabilities, a portion of buyers lean toward on-road performance.

The fate of the muscle pickup segment with the debut of the Ford Maverick Lobo remains uncertain. What’s certain is that Ford Maverick Lobo acts as a gauge for demand. Hopefully, the market reacts positively, prompting Hyundai to reassess the concept for the pleasure of American car fans who remain unconvinced about EVs.