Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup made its debut in the US in 2021, offering a solid alternative to the Ford Maverick. While not a traditional pickup truck, it is essentially a Tucson with a bed. However, Hyundai has confirmed the production of a true pickup truck that may not be available in America. CEO of Hyundai Australia, Don Romano, confirmed that the company is working on a new mid-size ute that will compete with body-on-frame alternatives in the region, such as the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, and its cousin, the Kia Tasman.
According to Romano, the timeline for the ute’s release is uncertain, as it depends on the type of ute that Hyundai develops. The details of the new pickup truck are still unclear, with options such as diesel, hybrid, and even full electric powertrains being considered. Despite strict emission regulations in Australia, sharing a platform with the Tasman seems unlikely. However, Hyundai could potentially seek assistance from General Motors, with whom they recently signed a deal for joint production of trucks and vans.
Hyundai aims to manufacture its new pickup truck in Australia within the next three years. As for the Santa Cruz, there are no major changes expected for this compact pickup in the US, as the truck has just received a refresh.
