The Generous Interior of the Hyundai Santa Cruz

If you are shopping for a truck but don’t want a massive vehicle that is hard to park and requires a ladder to get inside, a compact pickup is likely the one for you. These days, you can find only a few models in this class, so it pays to do your research to figure out what each has and what they could be lacking. 

Many such shoppers have sought a Hyundai Santa Cruz for sale in Knoxville—and for a number of reasons. It has a reliable powertrain that provides an enjoyable driving experience; it has great towing and hauling capabilities; it gets excellent gas mileage; and, lastly, it shines in the areas of comfort and technology. Read on to learn what the Santa Cruz has to offer, the different features and amenities that come standard or can be added, and why you will want to check one out for yourself at Rusty Wallace Hyundai.

A Lavish-Looking Cabin

Because Hyundai is a minimalist car brand, you may think you have gotten into the wrong vehicle when you slip inside the Santa Cruz. This compact pickup has a gorgeous cabin that makes it look as though you are in a much more expensive vehicle. It is designed with comfort in mind, as the seats are extremely comfortable and supportive; cloth upholstery is standard, but you can swap that out for either synthetic or genuine leather. Occupants have a lot of personal space, too, as this truck can accommodate five people; both rows offer ample legroom and headroom. 

You can replace the standard six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat that has lumbar adjustments. To get the best driving comfort possible, you can also add heated front seats (which you will certainly appreciate on chilly Knoxville mornings), ventilated front seats (which will be equally appreciated during summer months), an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a shift knob and heated steering wheel both wrapped in leather.

Savvy Connectivity Tech

Hyundai is always at the forefront of technology, and the Santa Cruz exemplifies this. It is actually the first truck in its class to have a fully digital dashboard; this consists of a 4.2-inch display for driver gauges and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. Upper trims combine the touchscreen with a 12.3-inch gauge display together in one curved panel, which gives the truck a futuristic appearance. The infotainment system is very easy to operate and responds quickly to inputs. In addition to the touchscreen interface, you can use physical buttons and even your voice to control your infotainment system.

No matter where you go in and around Knoxville, you will never have an issue staying connected in your pickup, as wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth are all standard. It also comes with a six-speaker stereo, HD radio, two USB ports, a wireless device charging pad, proximity keyless entry, and push-button start. Another notable built-in amenity is Hyundai’s Bluelink service, which is complimentary for three years; this lets drivers lock or unlock the Santa Cruz and start it remotely via the smartphone app or a cue to your Amazon Alexa.

While those features may be all you need, you might be glad to know that there are several others that can be added. These include satellite radio, a premium Bose sound system, two extra USB ports for the back row, a household-style power outlet, and an in-dash navigation system so you will always know where you are going without having to fumble with your smartphone for directions. You can also get an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 64-color ambient interior lighting, a fingerprint scanner, a universal garage door opener, and the Hyundai Digital Key, which essentially turns your smartphone into a key fob.

State-of-the-Art Safety Tech

Clearly, the Hyundai Santa Cruz will keep you comfortable, connected, and entertained for however long you are out on the road, but it’s worth noting, too, that his compact truck has been designed to help keep you and your passengers protected via the most advanced safety systems on the market. 

These driver assistance features include blind spot monitoring, in which you will always be aware—via lights on your outside mirrors—of any vehicles in your blind spots. Rear cross-traffic alert is also standard; it uses sensors to detect if cars are coming from either side when you attempt to back up; if one is, you will get an alert. With forward collision warning, your Santa Cruz will inform you if it detects a possible crash—and with automatic emergency braking (both forward and reverse), this truck can apply the brakes itself and come to a full stop if need be.

The Santa Cruz is ideal for highway driving, as it comes with features to keep you where you need to be. Lane centering assist uses a camera to help ensure that your vehicle stays perfectly centered in your lane. If you veer out of your lane without meaning to, lane keep assist will guide you back to where you should be. This pickup also comes with systems that are especially good for driving at night; with automatic high beams, you won’t have to worry about turning off the high beams when oncoming traffic approaches and then putting them back on, as your truck will handle that for you.

If you frequently drive late at night—or perhaps very early in the morning—you will appreciate the driver attention monitoring tool. This feature gauges your driving and lets you know if you are acting erratically, presumably due to fatigue. The Santa Cruz also comes with features that parents will appreciate. The rear-seat alert sends out a reminder telling you to check the back seats for kids or pets before exiting. To make sure little ones don’t open doors when they shouldn’t, a vehicle exit warning will alert passengers of any cars that are approaching from behind.

For even more peace of mind, you can equip your truck with cyclist detection, which will come in very handy if you live in an area with a lot of bike riders. If you tend to ride with a heavy foot, you can add speed limit recognition so you will also know if you are driving too fast. If you often have to park in tight spots, consider getting the surround-view monitor, which will give you a birds-eye view of your truck to make parking easier. A blind spot camera is also available.

Find Your Perfect Santa Cruz in Knoxville

When it comes to space, comfort, and the latest technology, no compact truck can compete with the Hyundai Santa Cruz. If this preview has gotten you interested in taking a look inside this pickup, come down to Rusty Wallace Hyundai. We always have a variety of this model, and you will be able to explore every inch of them. Best of all, we will give you the keys and let you take one out on the road so you can see how it performs. If you have any questions about this truck, get in touch with us or come down to our dealership to speak to our friendly and knowledgeable sales professionals in person.

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