Set to directly go up against the Ridgeline, the road-going version of the Santa Cruz concept has been pushed back until 2020. Like its Honda competitor, the workhorse will attempt to offer a car-like driving experience bundled with the extra practicality granted by a pickup truck. Motor Trend had the opportunity to chat with chief operating officer of Hyundai Motor America, Brian Smith, who confirmed the utilitarian vehicle has been postponed and won’t hit the assembly line this year or in 2019.
Why the delay? The Santa Cruz was given the stamp of approval at the end of 2016 to go into production in 2018 and head to dealerships as a 2019MY, but then-CEO Dave Zuchowski was replaced and the pickup truck was put on the back burner. Last year, Hyundai changed its mind once again and gave the project the green light, so now a 2020 market launch seems highly plausible.
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