Multiple sources confirm the compact Hyundai Santa Cruz will die off to replaced by a future midsize truck according to media reports.
Compact Hyundai Santa Cruz Dead?
The sources tell Autonews.com, the compact Hyundai Santa Cruz won’t continue past the second quarter of 2027 and is expected to be phased out altogether for a new midsize truck.
Hyundai has reportedly told suppliers it plans on cutting Santa Cruz production by roughly half in the first quarter of 2026. This is due to over supply on dealership lots and slowing sales.
The compact truck is currently being outsold by the only other competitor in its class, the Ford Maverick, by 6 to 1. Hyundai Santa Cruz sales were down 20% last year to just 25,499 vehicles sold for the year.
“The Santa Cruz Sport Adventure Vehicle continues to be a valued ongoing member of the Hyundai product portfolio,” said Chris Paukert, Senior Group Manager, Product Public Relations in an email. “As with all Hyundai vehicles, long-range product portfolio planning is guided by many factors including consumer demand and overall market trends. We don’t comment on future product speculation.
Since its launch in 2021, our Santa Cruz sport adventure vehicle has successfully introduced Hyundai to a new type of U.S. consumer who values the capability, versatility, and rugged image of open-bed vehicles.
Not only does Santa Cruz continue to be a valued ongoing member of our product portfolio from a sales perspective, the model has helped Hyundai gain valuable experience and visibility in the open-bed market. These developments contributed directly to the announcement of a new midsize body-on-frame truck that we confirmed during our 2025 CEO Investor Day last September. That vehicle is due in the U.S. market before 2030.”
It is a much different offering than the Maverick focusing on a more upscale interior, exterior look and has a more distinct buttress styling connecting the bed to the cabin to reinforce the unibody’s pickup capability.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz recently got a new XRT version, a more off-road focused trim level, thanks to learnings from the Rebelle Rally that was co-piloted by our own former managing editor Jill Ciminillo.
There have been consistent rumors of new competitors in the compact pickup segment especially from Toyota with a recent teaser image as well as Ram with their CEO Tim Kuniskis. He has said they have discussed it “a million times.” So far, there haven’t been any formal announcements.
New Hyundai Midsize Truck?
While the Hyundai Santa Cruz was basically an adaptation of their Tucson SUV stretched out to include a 4′ bed, the company is planning a true midsize truck.
This midsize truck is slated to arrive in summer of 2029 according to AutoForecast Solutions.
The midsize truck segment has been the hottest growth area for new vehicle sales. A new Hyundai midsize truck could be hitting the market around the same time as the return of the Ram Dakota.
It is too early to tell if this will be more of a body-on-frame competitor or if they will go the Honda Ridgeline route and stay unibody. Also, it is likely they will stay with a turbocharged engine since this is becoming the most popular engine choice for that vehicle class.
While we know it will be a body-on-frame, I’d guess it will be turbocharged, offered in 4WD and a crew cab with a 5′ bed. This is the most popular configuration in that segment.
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