New Hyundai Trucks for Sale in Fayetteville, NC
Frequently Asked Questions about New Hyundai Trucks Fayetteville, NC
Does Hyundai make a truck?
Hyundai offers the Santa Cruz, which functions as a pickup truck but is built on a car-based platform rather than the traditional body-on-frame construction used by full-size trucks. It has an open bed for hauling, a proper crew cab with rear seating for passengers, and available all-wheel drive. If you're looking for a vehicle that carries cargo in an open bed without the size and fuel costs of a full-size pickup, the Santa Cruz fills that role well.
How much can the Santa Cruz tow and haul?
Towing capacity on the Santa Cruz reaches up to 5,000 pounds on turbocharged trims when properly equipped, which handles small boats, utility trailers, ATVs, and lightweight campers without issue. The bed supports up to 1,748 pounds of payload, and there's a lockable under-bed storage compartment built into the floor for securing smaller items out of sight. Base engine trims carry lower tow ratings, so confirming the spec on a specific unit is worthwhile if towing is a priority.
How does the Santa Cruz compare to a full-size truck?
The Santa Cruz is considerably more compact than a full-size pickup like a Ford F-150 or Ram 1500, which makes it easier to park, more maneuverable in traffic, and significantly more fuel efficient. The trade-off is a smaller bed, lower towing capacity, and no heavy-duty hauling capability. For buyers who occasionally need an open bed for weekend projects or recreational gear rather than regular heavy-duty work, the Santa Cruz handles those tasks without the daily inconvenience of a larger truck.
What engine options does the Santa Cruz come with?
The SE and SEL trims use a 2.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder producing 190 horsepower, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The SEL Premium and Limited step up to a 2.5L turbocharged engine producing 281 horsepower with a more responsive dual-clutch automatic. If towing or more spirited highway driving matters to you, the turbocharged option is the one worth targeting.
Is the Santa Cruz practical for everyday driving?
It's one of the more practical vehicles in its category precisely because it doesn't sacrifice everyday comfort for truck capability. The rear seat is usable for adult passengers on shorter trips, the ride quality feels more like a crossover than a traditional truck, and fuel economy stays competitive with compact SUVs. Buyers who want the flexibility of an open bed without committing to a full-size truck's size, fuel costs, and parking challenges find the Santa Cruz a natural fit.
Have Additional Questions?
The Santa Cruz occupies a category that doesn't have many direct competitors, which means shoppers often arrive with questions that go beyond what a standard truck or SUV conversation covers.
Our team in Fayetteville can walk through towing specs, bed dimensions, trim differences, and how the Santa Cruz stacks up against compact pickups from other brands so you can make a fully informed comparison.
Reach out to Lee Hyundai of Fayetteville any time — by phone, text, or the contact form — and we'll get back to you with straight answers.
Meet the Santa Cruz: Hyundai's Answer to the Open-Bed Question
The Santa Cruz sits in a space between a traditional pickup truck and a crossover SUV, and it does so deliberately. Hyundai designed it for buyers who want an open bed to haul gear, bikes, mulch, or equipment without having to drive something the size of a full-size pickup every day to get there. The result is a vehicle that works like a truck on the weekends and feels like a car during the week.
At Lee Hyundai of Fayetteville, we stock the Santa Cruz across its SE, SEL, SEL Premium, and Limited trim range so shoppers can compare configurations and find the right balance of features and price. The turbocharged trims sit at the top and bring the most towing capability alongside the most complete feature set.
- Open cargo bed with a standard 120-volt power outlet for tools and devices
- Lockable under-bed storage compartment for securing valuables out of sight
- Available all-wheel drive on every trim for added traction confidence
Unlike traditional body-on-frame pickups, the Santa Cruz rides on a unibody platform shared with the Tucson, which is a significant part of why it drives so much more like a car than a conventional truck.
Check current inventory in Fayetteville online to see which colors and configurations are available right now, or come by and walk the lot in person.
Who the Santa Cruz Is Built For
The Santa Cruz makes the most sense for a specific kind of buyer — one who needs an open bed a few times a month but doesn't want to deal with the daily downsides of a full-size truck. Think weekend landscaping runs, hauling a kayak or mountain bike to the trail, or making a hardware store run for a home project. The bed handles all of that without requiring you to parallel park a truck that's longer than your driveway.
It also works well for buyers who previously drove a pickup for light-duty purposes and realized they were driving more truck than they actually needed. The step down to a Santa Cruz rarely sacrifices practical capability for those buyers while meaningfully improving daily fuel costs and driving ease.
- Crew cab configuration with proper rear doors and usable back seat
- Compact overall length fitting in standard parking spaces with room to spare
- Fuel economy significantly better than any comparably capable traditional pickup
Active households near Fayetteville who spend weekends on outdoor activities and weekdays commuting often find the Santa Cruz handles both sides of that schedule better than a single-purpose vehicle could.
Fort Liberty households dealing with the practical demands of military life — frequent moves, hauling equipment, needing versatility — have also found the Santa Cruz a sensible choice that adapts to changing needs.
Cargo, Towing, and What the Bed Actually Fits
The Santa Cruz bed is shorter than what you'd find on a compact pickup like a Tacoma or Ranger, which is worth being clear-eyed about. Standard four-by-eight sheets of plywood or drywall won't fit flat with the tailgate up, though the tailgate does fold down to extend the load floor. For most recreational and household hauling tasks, the bed size works without issue — it's the heavy-duty construction site loads where a traditional truck's size and payload advantage starts to matter.
The lockable under-bed compartment is one of the Santa Cruz's more practical features and doesn't exist on any traditional compact pickup. It adds secure, weatherproof storage for items you don't want sliding around the open bed or visible to passersby.
- Tailgate folds flat to extend the usable load floor for longer items
- Up to 5,000 pounds towing capacity on turbocharged AWD configurations
- Under-bed storage compartment with a drainable floor for wet or dirty gear
For buyers with a specific towing or hauling need, it's worth bringing those dimensions and weights into the conversation so we can confirm whether the Santa Cruz covers the use case or whether a different vehicle would serve better.
We'd rather help you find the right fit than sell you something that doesn't actually meet your needs.
Financing the Santa Cruz at Lee Hyundai of Fayetteville
The Santa Cruz is priced between a compact crossover and a traditional midsize pickup, which puts it in a range most buyers find reasonable once they factor in what they'd spend on fuel with a larger truck. Our finance team structures deals across the full trim range and works with both Hyundai Motor Finance and outside lenders to find the most competitive rate available for your situation.
Buyers trading in an older pickup or SUV often find meaningful equity built up in the trade that helps reduce the monthly payment significantly. We complete trade appraisals the same day and apply the offer directly toward your purchase.
- Online credit application for pre-approval before your showroom visit
- Same-day written trade offer based on current market values
- Manufacturer incentive programs applied before your first price quote
Truck buyers in particular have grown accustomed to market adjustments and bundled dealer packages inflating the final number well past the sticker. That's not how we do business — the Santa Cruz is priced straightforwardly, with no hidden fees worked into the deal after the fact.
Current Hyundai financing offers on the Santa Cruz change monthly, and we apply whatever program delivers the strongest rate at the time of your purchase.
If leasing interests you, we can run lease and purchase scenarios side by side on the same visit so the comparison is clear before any decisions are made.
Owning and Servicing the Santa Cruz Near Fayetteville
Because the Santa Cruz shares its platform with the Tucson, maintenance is handled the same way as any Hyundai crossover — standard oil changes, tire rotations, and inspections on a regular schedule with no specialized truck service requirements. Our service department in Fayetteville carries the parts and has the trained technicians to handle everything in-house.
The three years of complimentary maintenance included with every new Santa Cruz covers the early ownership period without any out-of-pocket service costs for the basics, which is a practical benefit that traditional truck buyers don't always get from competing brands.
- Three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance at no additional cost
- Five-year or 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage
- Hyundai-certified technicians on staff at our Fayetteville service center
Truck bed accessories including bed liners, cargo nets, and tonneau cover options are available through our parts department for buyers who want to customize the setup after purchase.
Our service department is available for scheduling online around the clock, and same-day appointments for routine work are frequently available during the week.
Thinking the Santa Cruz might be the right fit? Browse current specials, get a trade estimate, or send a message to the team at Lee Hyundai of Fayetteville using the links below.