Contrary to popular belief, the new Hyundai Santa Cruz is a pickup truck. Although it lacks a full-size tow rig due to its smaller dimensions and unibody construction, we still think highly enough of it to include it on our list of Editors’ Choices. Instead, consider the first Hyundai pickup as an alternative to the similarly-unibody Honda Ridgeline, which also has a crew cab, short-bed body design that is suitable for everyone. With its intriguing visage and wrinkled sheetmetal, the Santa Cruz stands out more than the Hondaor any other mid-size vehicle, for that matter. Although its interior is more stylish than that of its competitors, some models disappoint due to the absence of physical controls. Its four-cylinder base engine is similarly unattractive, but the more potent turbo option is an expensive option. The 2022 Santa Cruz, however, is a more practical variation on the worn-out crossover formula, and thanks to the open box on its butt, it is also a pickup truck.
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Do Hyundai trucks exist?
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 trim levels, the top two of which, the SEL Premium and Limited, come 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.
Is the Kia Bongo sold in the United States?
Fans of Caldwell Kia frequently inquire, “Does Kia make a truck? In the United States, Kia does not currently sell a truck. The Kia Bongo, however, is a well-liked cabover pickup truck in Australia, South Korea, and Indonesia.
When will Kia release a truck?
Kia steps up its efforts in EVs. With a target to increase the lineup to 14 BEVs by 2027, the business will begin releasing at least two new battery-electric models (BEVs) every year beginning of the following year.
The plan includes “an entry-level BEV model” in addition to the Kia EV6 – debuted in 2021 – and its impending GT version. The Kia EV9 flagship SUV is scheduled to launch in 2023.
The South Korean manufacturer really revealed two electric pickup trucks, one for developed markets and the other for emerging countries:
- a completely electric pickup truck
- “an emerging markets strategic model”
Kia will add two electric pickup trucks, a specialized electric pickup truck, a strategic model for new markets, as well as an entry-level BEV model, to its prior goal to release 11 models by 2026.
According to one of the presentation’s slides, pickup trucks won’t debut until 2026, or in about 4 years:
It’s interesting to note that there is also one “Pick-up/commercial” model listed for 2021, which most likely refers to the South Korean Bongo 3 EV (see Kia’s website here).
Kia withholds all information regarding the pickup trucks. There is still plenty of time to create those new models, after all.
There is currently no information available, but it will be intriguing to see whether the Hyundai brand (both are a member of the Hyundai Motor Group) also releases an electric pickup truck.
Kia may choose to manufacture its all-electric pickup trucks in the US whenever they are ready to be released. The presentation on the expansion of EV manufacturing contains a hint regarding that.
The South Korean automaker announced that beginning in 2024, American factories will start making electrified versions of mid-sized SUVs and pickup trucks:
“For instance, starting in 2025, small and medium-sized EVs will be manufactured in Europe. Mid-sized SUVs and pickup trucks are popular in the United States, and starting in 2024, electric versions of these vehicles will be made here. In China, Kia expects to release mid-size EV cars starting in 2019, while India plans to start making entry- and mid-size EV models in 2025.”
If electric pickup trucks are anticipated in 2026, the 2024 deadline must apply to new mid-sized SUVs.
Rivian (R1T) and GMC have already introduced the first contemporary all-electric pickups (Hummer EV Pickup). Ford will start giving the F-150 Lightning to customers this Spring, and several other companies have indicated intentions to do the same (including Tesla, Chevrolet and Toyota).
Will Kia release a truck in 2022?
Outside of a few bizarre concepts, you may not be familiar with the name, but the South Korean carmaker is intensifying its efforts to introduce a number of new models. This includes two new pickups, one of which will be a “dedicated EV vehicle, probably on Hyundai Motor Co.’s e-GMP architecture, the company stated this week. The other is a “strategic model for emerging countries, and may feature an internal combustion engine,” according to Kia’s presentation.
Beginning in 2023, Kia claims it will release two new models annually. From there, manufacture of the company’s custom vehicle will begin in the US in 2024. Kia is considering a midsize, body-on-frame model rather than a full-size truck to compete with models like the Ford F-150 Lightning or Chevrolet Silverado EV, according to an Automotive News article citing sources familiar with the automaker’s intentions. The “bespoke point” further implies that it won’t be a Hyundai Santa Cruz knockoff.
We’ll have to wait and see what Kia offers as we don’t yet have any clear confirmation on size, powertrain configuration, or performance numbers.
We are getting the large EV9, which may influence an electric truck
What is depicted herethe large EV9 SUVis something about which we do know more. This model, at 194 inches, will be slightly smaller than American body-on-frame SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe while roughly competing with the Kia Telluride.
When it does come out, the Kia EV9 should have a range of up to 300 miles and 350 kW of DC rapid charging power. If you have access to a Level 3 charger that is quick enough through the Electrify America network, Kia estimates the vehicle will recharge up to 80% of its usable battery power in 30 minutes.
No of when or when it happens, the manufacturer must increase battery supply to keep up with rising EV output. Kia intends to achieve that goal while also upping energy density by as much as 50%. By 2030, the business projects that demand will increase to 119 GWh, and by the end of the decade, it hopes to sell 1.2 million electric vehicles yearly.
Who manufactures Kia motors?
Hyundai and Kia produce their own engines, and a recent manufacturing fault may result in the premature death of more than 1 million of those engines.
For the same problem, Hyundai and Kia made separate recall announcements. About 572,000 examples of the 2013-2014 Santa Fe and 2013-2014 Sonata are included in Hyundai’s recall. About 618,160 units of the 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento, and 2011-2013 Sportage are included in Kia’s recall.
One of two enginesa 2.4-liter, direct-injected, naturally aspirated I4 or a 2.0-liter, turbocharged I4powers each of the involved vehicles. The motors’ various production dates range from 2010 to 2014.
The problem is due to manufacturing mistakes. It appears that metal debris in the crankshaft oil passageways wasn’t properly wiped out, and a second mistake led to surface roughness in the crankpins (crank journals). The connecting rod bearings, which enable the connecting rods to move freely, may receive less oil as a result of these two issues.
The engine may begin to knock as the bearing ages from contacting a rough surface without lubrication. The engine may seize up and be doomed to the scrap heap if the driver doesn’t understand what’s wrong and the bearings fail. If the engine seizes while the car is moving, it also poses a safety risk.
In May, notice will be given to dealers and owners, the latter by first-class mail. Owners must visit the dealership so that mechanics can examine and perhaps replace the engine. Owners who have previously paid for repairs must follow certain procedures in order to receive reimbursement from Hyundai or Kia.
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Do Honda pickup trucks exist?
Honda Ridgeline Review for 2022 Among small pickup vehicles, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline is highly regarded. Although it can’t tow as much as competitors in its class, it delivers relaxed performance and a stylish, spacious interior.
Do Subaru trucks exist?
Do Subaru trucks exist? Yes, but not any longer. The BRAT and the Baja are two trucks that Subaru eventually released in the North American market.
Who manufactures Santa Cruz pickups?
Hyundai manufactures the four-door Santa Cruz compact pickup vehicle. The Santa Cruz is Hyundai’s first 4-door pickup truck offered in the North American market, and it will go on sale in 2021 for the 2022 model year. The car features a unibody chassis architecture instead of the ladder frame used in most pickup trucks and is based on the Tucson crossover SUV. According to industry observers, the Santa Cruz is more likely to draw car or crossover buyers than owners of larger, more traditional pickup trucks. [3]