Hyundai's Truck Based On The Santa Cruz Concept To Launch ASAP

Hyundai showed off a concept truck back in 2015 called the Santa Cruz that was undeniably good looking. That concept was unveiled just when the mid-size truck market was starting to heat up again with Chevy offering the Colorado and both Toyota and Nissan selling trucks in that segment. The mid-size truck market is even hotter today with Ford bringing the Ranger back, and Jeep has just unveiled the most exciting mid-size truck of them all with the Gladiator getting official.

Hyundai still wants in on the truck market and its Chief Design Officer, Luc Donckerwolke, has stated that the production truck based on the Santa Cruz concept is under development at Hyundai. According to Donckerwolke, the truck will arrive "as soon as possible," and he states that the design is finished.

Currently, Hyundai is putting the process in place to produce the truck. The most likely launch window for the truck is 2020, and then we will have one more entrant into the mid-size truck market. We fully expect Hyundai's offering to be more of a lifestyle vehicle than what many would consider being a real truck.

Think more focused on competing with the Honda Ridgeline for the light use truck dollars than competing with the Gladiator for raw towing, payload, and 4x4 prowess. Interestingly, once the Hyundai truck arrives, a Kia version will follow.

With the resurgence in mid-size truck popularity perhaps the entry of Hyundai and Kia into the market with their trucks will push brands like Mercedes and VW to bring their trucks to the US. Many would love to see the VW Tarok come to the States with its fancy bed.