Trucks are popular. Trucks make up about 20% of all new cars sold in America. Kia, a Korean company, does not, however, provide one in this country. Hyundai, a corporate relative, has the Santa Cruz. However, there isn’t a Kia pickup truck on the market yet in the US.
But the business does produce one. It is known as the Bongo. Similar to the original Optimus Prime Transformer toy, this vehicle has a cab-over design, which allows the driver to save space by sitting over the engine. Although it is diesel, Kia also produces an all-electric model. One with a manual transmission is available. But in the US, you cannot order one.
In This Article...
Design of a Kia Pickup Truck
One of the first things that comes to mind when thinking about base design features is the platform. Despite the fact that we are discussing one of the largest automakers in the world, the Korean business doesn’t offer a BoF platform. The new 2022 Kia Pickup Truck riding on a unibody basis is therefore quite likely. Since the next Hyundai Santa Cruz will be a conventional unibody pickup, we might anticipate the same from this vehicle as well.
However, sources claim that the pickup will be larger in the Kia model. According to rumors, it would be built as a pickup with conventional mid-size dimensions that would largely compete with the Honda Ridgeline as well as BoF pickups like the Tacoma, Colorado, and other models. This implies that the new pickup truck and the new Telluride would have a lot in common. Even the identical front end is depicted in some rendering images, which would undoubtedly make this truck look appealing.
Overview
It’s up for dispute whether the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz counts as a proper pickup truck, but there’s less disagreement over its unique appearance and practical cargo box. The Hyundai’s maximum towing capacity is 5000 pounds, and there are mid-size vehicles that can handle mud and rough terrain better. However, the Santa Cruz isn’t attempting to pass like one of those irate-looking, trail-eating, jobsite mule pickups. Consider it as a little Hyundai Tucson with a truck bed instead. After all, the vehicles’ platforms and drivetrains are similar. A weak 191 horsepower four-cylinder and a 281 horsepower turbo-four that is an option both power the Santa Cruz’s performance. The stronger engine is only compatible with all-wheel drive; it is only offered with the top two trim levels. The stronger engine is available with either front- or all-wheel drive. The SEL Premium and Limited offer the best technology and the nicest interiors, but they forego a greater number of physical controls in favor of less practical touchscreen buttons and are significantly more expensive than the less expensive variants. However, the 2023 Santa Cruz stands out for striking a mix between usability and enjoyable driving characteristics.
Strangeness isn’t necessarily terrible.
The Santa Cruz, a brand-new addition to the range for the Korean carmaker this year, is Hyundai’s first pickup for the US market. The Ford Maverick, which is essentially its only direct rival, has a starting price of $23,990 before fees, which is very similar to the Santa Cruz’s.
That applies to the base SE grade, which has front-wheel drive and a 191 horsepower four-cylinder engine. There are a total of four model levels, with the top two — SEL Premium and Limited — coming standard with all-wheel drive and a more potent turbocharged engine. Last month, Hyundai lent me a fully loaded Limited model for a short period of time. The whole cost, with destination charges included, was slightly over $41,000.
There are several SUV-based trucks, but none compare to the Santa Cruz. Hyundai’s latest entry is less of a normal midsize truck than Honda’s Ridgeline, which has boxy dimensions, a longer bed, and a larger overall footprint. Similar to the Santa Cruz, Ford’s recently released Maverick is about the same size but resembles the F-150 more than it does anything else.
Bad News Regarding the New Pickup Truck from Kia
You won’t be pleased to hear this if you were expecting for a Kia to compete with the Ford Ranger.
We’ve been anticipating Kia’s long-rumored pickup truck’s debut ever since the Hyundai Santa Cruz entered the market. For many years, Kia has made it known that it plans to create a dual-cab “ute” for the Australian market to compete with the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, two mid-size pickup trucks. Damien Meredith, the chief operating officer of Kia Australia, discounted the possibility of Kia joining the pickup market in an interview with Australia’s Cars Guide.
When asked about the long-rumored Kia ute, Meredith responded to the publication, “I believe it’s definitely a long shot.” Back in 2020, it seemed as though the development of a Kia pickup had been approved for a potential 2022 introduction.
When Meredith informed Kia’s executives that the automaker would sell 20,000 units year, they appeared enthusiastic. “About four years ago, we came up with a plan and said, “Look, we think we can do this many,” and Mr. Song about fell off his chair when we told him that was impossible and that we couldn’t possibly do that many. However, he began to count before beginning to believe “stated Meredith at the moment.
When Meredith was questioned about an update, she responded, “We haven’t received any firm response from Kia headquarters.” “I understand what you said Damian, but let’s just wait and see,” he always says when I see him. Unfortunately, Kia doesn’t currently seem to be too interested in joining the truck market. This may not come as a surprise given that Kia is concentrating on growing its EV roster with new models like the flagship EV9, which was hinted at by a brand-new concept at the LA Auto Show.
It’s unfortunate because the Kia pickup that was being considered had a lot of potential and would have been more capable than the Santa Cruz. Kia’s pickup was supposed to use a new ladder-frame chassis, but the Santa Cruz pickup uses the same unibody platform as the Tucson. However, Kia seemed unable to justify the necessary expenditures. Because of Kia’s lack of enthusiasm, we shouldn’t get our hopes up for a truck to compete with the Ford Ranger, although Kia might still create a smaller vehicle like the Santa Cruz.
Meredith remarked on the midsize tru, “I suppose if they had done it and planned it, then it would have been here by now. “Don’t let that make you sad. We have a lot of exciting news around alternative fuels coming up, and we are quite optimistic about the brand’s future.”
Do they produce pickup trucks at Kia?
It’s time to put the rumors to rest because Kia has verified that a real Kia pickup truck is in the works and will go on sale in 2022 or 2023. Apparently, Kia thought the Telluride’s blocky shape, sharp edges, and off-road prowess made it the ideal basis for a Kia pickup truck. Many of the technological advancements and amenities that made the Telluride such a well-liked option among purchasers of midsize SUVs will be found in the new truck. Gasoline and diesel engines, as well as a single or double cab, will be available options for turning some of the Telluride’s 87 cubic feet of cargo space into a pickup bed.
The new Telluride-based Kia truck is being released in Australia, according to the Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors in Australia. So, does Kia produce a pickup truck that will eventually be sold in Anderson and Fishers dealerships? Despite being hesitant to respond, Kia Motors America didn’t completely rule out the prospect of a Kia pickup for the US market.
What is the name of the Kia pickup truck?
The Bongo is a pickup truck made by Kia, however it isn’t offered for sale in the US. For rollbacks, flatbeds, and other work truck applications, it is offered as a pickup or chassis-cab in a cab-over configuration. A single cab, extended cab, or double cab variation of the Bongo is available. It was initially released in 1980.
Kia has attempted to create a pickup vehicle before. Kia started working on a truck in the early 2000s to fill in some of the “gaps” in its line of products. The Sorento SUV architecture would serve as the foundation for the new truck. The V6-powered Sorento had a ladder frame design.
In 2004, the KCV-4 Mojave concept truck made its premiere at the Chicago Auto Show. The Sorento frame was extended to provide room for the bed. Additionally, it had all-wheel drive, which came standard on all models of the Sorento.
Does Hyundai produce compact pickup trucks?
The brand-new 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a two-row, crew-cab style vehicle that is aimed at city people seeking weekend getaways. The tiny pickup holds four adults in the cabin and has space for their belongings in the bed. It is the manufacturer’s first consumer pickup truck of any size or design to be marketed in the U.S.
An adequate amount of luggage and recreational equipment may fit in the pickup bed’s four feet, and a locking, metal roll-up tonneau cover keeps them safe and secure. The tonneau is a sensible feature that will probably be a well-liked factory option. In addition, the Santa Cruz has a lockable storage space built into the floor of the bed, similar to the Honda Ridgeline’s bed storage box.
What is the name of the Hyundai truck?
The new Hyundai vehicle was just released in 2021, so it does now. The Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup is what it is named. It aspires to combine the utility and comfort of an open-bed truck with the room and comfort of an SUV. Whether traveling for a weekend road trip or a daily commute, the Santa Cruz performs admirably.
Is Kia a Hyundai property?
Some people consider Hyundai and Kia to be simply rebadged versions of the same cars. The two brands do have a close relationship, despite the fact that this is not the case. Hyundai acquired Kia in 1998 and now owns 51% of the business. The two corporations are now regarded as sisters because that share has decreased to around a third.
Hyundai and Kia frequently use one another’s vehicle platforms as a result of their tight cooperation. Do the cars from both brands have the same engines?
Hyundai Santa Cruz: A truck or not?
Although the Hyundai Santa Cruz is an unusual pickup truck, many drivers find it to be the ideal vehicle. It has the practicality and driving qualities of a compact SUV similar to the Hyundai Tucson on which it is based thanks to its small size, car-like chassis, and capacious 4-door body.
Nissan produces trucks, right?
You may be sure to find a vehicle that can assist you in tackling the most difficult tasks or terrains thanks to a variety of accessible safety and technology features. Discover the full- and mid-size pickup trucks from Nissan that offer strong horsepower, torque, and towing capacities.
Kia does it produce hybrids?
Kia provides two different hybrid car models. Full Parallel Hybrid technology powers the Kia Niro and Sorento Hybrid vehicles. A motorized electric drive unit is connected to the Kia Gas Direct Injection (GDI) engine. Depending on your driving conditions, both motors can operate cooperatively or independently to give the perfect power to achieve the highest levels of fuel efficiency. Regenerative braking is another ingenious feature of the Full Parallel Hybrid system. The electric traction motor absorbs kinetic energy as it slows down and stores it in the battery. Kia hybrid vehicles include benefits such as lower emissions, fewer trips to the gas station, and smooth power delivery.
Electric vehicles, also referred to as EVs or plug-in hybrids, only use electricity as a source of power. The exciting all-electric Kia EV6 and the nimble Kia Niro EV are two examples of this kind of vehicle. Simply connect the car to a 240V or 480V Direct-Current Fast Charge station or a regular household outlet to begin charging.
Who creates vehicles with truck beds?
The Chevrolet El Camino is perhaps the first vehicle that comes to mind when you discuss a car with a truck bed. Even though you don’t often see the El Camino hauling a noteworthy quantity of cargo in the truck bed, many people nevertheless adore its novelty. This sportster, which is categorized as a coupe utility muscle car, looks to have it all.