It is equipped with strut suspension for the front wheels and a multi-link independent suspension in the rear. The HTRAC system allows for the rear wheels to receive up to 50 percent of the drive power via a lockable clutched center differential. The Santa Cruz uses a front-wheel-drive configuration as the base model, with an available upgrade to the HTRAC all-wheel-drive system. It also features a similar styling introduced on the fourth-generation Tucson, with its front end dominated by the grille with integrated daytime running lights.

Marketed as a 'Sport Adventure Vehicle', it is closely related to the fourth-generation Tucson, sharing the same project code (NX4, with additional 'a' to denote American production and 'OB' suffix, meaning 'open bed'), production site, and dashboard design. The production model debuted in April 2021 for the North American market. The Santa Cruz was previewed by a concept pickup truck at the 2015 North American International Auto Show with the same name. Industry analysts expected the Santa Cruz to attract car or crossover buyers instead of people who have owned a larger, traditional pickup truck. The vehicle is based on the Tucson crossover SUV, and uses a unibody chassis design. Released in 2021 for the 2022 model year, the Santa Cruz is the first four-door pickup truck sold by Hyundai in the North American market. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a four-door compact pickup truck manufactured and marketed by Hyundai.

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