Should You Take the Hyundai Santa Cruz Off Road?
With the proper options, the Hyundai Santa Cruz can handle some light off-road action.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Somewhere between a pickup truck and an SUV is the
Hyundai Santa Cruz
. With available AWD and a versatile cargo bed, the higher trim levels on the Santa Cruz are capable of some casual off-road action, but if you’re really headed off the beaten path it’s not the best choice out there. The ability to go where the roads don’t is alluring, and with the popularity of SUVs and crossovers, there are a lot of vehicles that look like they’re up for adventure. But which ones can really handle things when the going gets rough, and which ones are just indulging in vehicular LARPing?
Can the Hyundai Santa Cruz go off-road?
Yes. Billing itself as a “sport adventure vehicle”, the Hyundai Santa Cruz can go off-road—especially if you spring for the optional HTRAC all-wheel-drive. While not a vehicle for serious off-road action, it’s more than capable of some light weekend warrior style adventures.
Available in four trim levels and starting at $24,400, the Santa Cruz is a unique combination of vehicles. With the open cargo bed of a pickup truck and the smooth sporty lines of a crossover, it delivers versatility and comfort at an accessible sticker price.
So what exactly are we dealing with when it comes to off-roading capabilities in the Santa Cruz? Let’s take a look.
Ground clearance
In the world of off-roading, ground clearance is a spec that you’ll hear about a lot. Simply put, it’s the distance between the lowest part of your vehicle’s chassis and the ground, and it’s a big player in your ability to navigate obstacles. Ideally, you want a ground clearance of at least 8.8 to 10.8 inches for true off-roading ability.
The Santa Cruz has a ground clearance of 8.6 inches, which means that it’s okay for some light off-roading activity, but nothing too hard-core. The more ground clearance you have, the wider range of terrain you can handle without running the risk of damaging your undercarriage.
So while the Santa Cruz can definitely handle some gravel, you won’t be scrambling over any boulders like in those SUV commercials.
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You hear a lot about horsepower when it comes to cars, but the best off-road vehicles will provide a good dose of low-end torque. Having a lot of torque at a lower rpm means more turning power with less engine stress, and is key to a successful off-roading journey. When you’re traversing a muddy, boulder filled terrain, you want slow, steady turning power—not speed.
The Santa Cruz has two different engine types depending on the trim level. The lower level SE and SEL trims provide 181 lb-ft at 4000 RPM, while the higher SEL Premium and Limited trims will pack 311 lb-ft at anywhere from 1700 to 4000 RPM.
Safe to say that if you are looking to get the most off-road ability in your Santa Cruz, you’re going to want to opt for a higher trim level.
Tires
The Santa Cruz comes equipped with a set of all-season tires, which are pretty much what they sound like. All-season tires offer maximum versatility in a range of conditions, and are a good choice for city cars in fairly temperate climates.
If you want to take your Santa Cruz off-road on the regular, you will definitely want to invest in a set of
all-terrain tires
. The wider tread pattern on these tires means that you’ll get better traction off road, but be aware that all terrain tires wear out faster when used on pavement. Drivetrain
All-wheel or four-wheel drive is a must-have for off-roading, and Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel drive system is up to the task. It’s optional on the lower trim levels, but standard on the higher ones. This is another area where if you’re serious about taking your Santa Cruz off-road, upgrading to a higher trim level is key.
Angles
Okay, let’s talk geometry. Don’t panic, there won’t be a test. Off road driving is all about knowing your angles: specifically, your vehicle’s approach and departure angles. Here’s what that means:
- Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference
- Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
The Hyundai Santa Cruz has approach and departure angles of 17.5 and 23.2 degrees, respectively. While that means you can handle some gentle ups and downs in the road, actual rock scrambling is not in the cards.
Off-road rating: Rough and ready at higher trim levels
We’ve rated the Hyundai Santa Cruz using
Jerry’s
highly-technical DIRT rating system, which you can see broken down below:Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
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If you spring for a higher trim level with the upgraded engine and all-wheel-drive, then you’ll be more than capable of handling some light off-roading scenarios. While the SEL Premium and Limited trims get a rating of Rough and Ready, the lower trims definitely tend more towards the In a Pinch arena.
The best off-road alternatives to the Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is an excellent companion for weekend adventuring, but if you need some serious off-road capabilities it’s not quite up to the task. But the good news is, there’s plenty of other options out there!
Check out a few alternatives to the Hyundai Santa Cruz:
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best crossover alternative | 2022 Kia Seltos | $21,900 | If you want more crossover vibes and less truck, check out the versatile Kia Seltos. |
Best eco-friendly alternative | 2022 Ford Maverick | $19,995 | This economically priced truck is also available in a hybrid, so it’ll save more than one kind of green. |
Best truck alternative | 2022 Ford Ranger | $25,715 | This popular midsize pick up has optional all-wheel drive and a 7/10 rating from Car and Driver. |
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
Adventure often comes at a price, and that’s true for cars and car insurance as well. Off-road vehicles are more prone to damage due to their active lifestyle, and as a result are generally more expensive to insure. But if you take
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