2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz: A Nice SUV / Truck Combo

When you really do want your SUV to also have a flatbed, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz just may fit the bill.

First off, know that the Santa Cruz is considered a ‘compact’ vehicle, which means that space can get a little tight, especially in the back seats.  

So please get in first to see how well you fit in. Yes, Mr. Cruz looks great standing beside you, but if you are not going to be comfortable inside him as you pal around the countryside, your joy could be limited. 

The truck bed has a total volume of 27 cubic feet, which is comprised of 52 inches of length and 54 inches of width (about 42.5 inches between wheel wells).  Depth is just over 19 inches. This is a heavy-duty bed indeed, and while you can do some towing, keep in mind that this still a light duty vehicle.  The Santa Cruz should really be for pleasure – and occasionally for when things get a little rugged.

Overall, the 2026 Santa Cruz has decent mileage and decent everything when it comes to a pleasure car. 

Mileage averages around 20 mpg, and if you go up the food chain and get a turbo, your mileage will improve.  Costs will start at around $30K US, and if you want snazzy stuff like All-Wheel Drive, that will cost extra. And don’t forget insurance.  And plates, which tend to be more expensive for newer vehicles. 

Driving around town, this year’s Santa Cruz was a true joy on the road: stable, balanced, not too racy, but on the higher-end trims, getting fast and fury-ish is part of its charm.

Should you want to go off-road, the XRT trim (designed specifically for off-road adventures) has all-terrain tires, 18-inch wheels, 8.6-inches of ground clearance, recovery hooks and drive modes for snow, mud and sand.  Plus, its unibody design is perfect for those off-road, off-script kind of manly days that just may involve snow, mud and sand.

If you live in the inner city and want a combo meal of SUV / truck, this is the one to own.  It’s small enough to maneuver easily. You won’t be able to move big furniture, but you can move a few big items if properly tied down. And for those who are style-conscious, it looks great, as you can see here.

(Exterior colors also include Rockwood Green, Canyon Red, Blue Stone and Phantom Black.)

Also in this category of SUV/Truck combos is the Ford Maverick, which is a bit bigger but is another good combo meal. 

Spring is the air, and truth be told, Summer is already in the atmosphere for most of the Northern Hemisphere. It’s already a scorcher throughout most the world, and I fear it will continue to get even hotter as Spring continues.

How to stay cool as Bear Travel Season heats up? Light clothing is always in fashion.

Keep in mind that as a genus, we are a pasty bunch of homo-sapiens. Sunscreen is mandatory, as is constant hydration. 

We want to you to have fun and be safe in 2026.  Let us know how we here at Bear World Magazine can help you navigate all that craziness that is out there.

Yes, we will even try to help with Lions, Tigers, and some of the more unfamiliar species of Bears.

To the extent that we can.  (Hint: Start with a good cocktail.)