Small Trucks Are the Perfect Size for Nobody: 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a compact “small truck” built on a car-like platform, aimed at people who want pickup utility without full-size dimensions. In this episode, the big story is the 2026 model’s updated powertrain and how it stacks up against other small trucks in sales.

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a midsize SUV built for families who want more space and versatility than a sedan. It’s significant in the lineup because it’s designed to handle both daily commuting and longer trips. The podcast context points to the 2026 Santa Cruz, but the Santa Fe name is still part of the Hyundai SUV discussion theme.

“CR testing” refers to Consumer Reports-style testing, where vehicles are evaluated using standardized test procedures and scoring. It’s a shorthand for the kind of repeatable, lab-and-road evaluation that informs reliability and performance conclusions.

The Subaru Baja is a short-lived, quirky Subaru pickup-like vehicle (often described as a crossover with a truck bed) that didn’t last long in the U.S. market. The hosts mention it as a rare sight and then pivot to the question of why Subaru stopped selling it.

The Subaru Outback is a wagon-based crossover that’s built for people who want extra ground clearance and versatility while still driving like a car. It’s often discussed as an alternative “take” on the Outback nameplate because it blends comfort with practicality for different road conditions. In the podcast, it’s referenced as part of a comparison or lineup of vehicles.

The Chevrolet Colorado is a midsize pickup that’s positioned here alongside the Tacoma as a more traditional truck size. The discussion contrasts these “real trucks” with more unibody, car-based designs.

The Ford Ranger is a midsize pickup referenced here as a “real truck” alternative to more unibody, car-based pickups. The point is that Ranger-class trucks tend to be built for towing and hauling more seriously than smaller, car-derived designs.

A unibody is a vehicle construction where the body and frame are integrated into one structure. In pickups, “unibody car-based” designs usually prioritize ride comfort and efficiency, but may be less purpose-built for heavy towing and rough-duty work than traditional body-on-frame trucks.

To tow means pulling another vehicle or trailer behind the truck. Towing is a core use case that drives why people choose certain pickup sizes and configurations.

“Half-ton” is a traditional U.S. pickup class label that roughly indicates the truck’s payload/towing capability. The speaker is describing how even a half-ton truck with a short bed may still be limiting for their specific hauling needs, like transporting long sheetrock panels.

The tailgate is the hinged rear door on a pickup bed that can open downward. Using it (or leaving it down) is a practical way to extend the effective loading surface for long items, though it can also change how you secure the load.

“Bluetooth reconnects” refers to how a vehicle’s infotainment system automatically re-establishes a wireless connection to your phone after pairing. It’s a usability feature that affects how quickly audio and phone functions work each time you get in.

The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck, and it’s used here as the comparison point for what “big” means. The hosts say the Santa Cruz-style size is easier to live with because it’s not as large as an F-150.

The GMC Envoy is a midsize SUV that was designed for family use with a focus on practicality and space. In the podcast context, it’s brought up with a specific anecdote about a “rollback” and the vehicle feeling heavy and awkward. That kind of story is typical when discussing how an SUV feels in real-world use.

“Dual clutch” refers to a transmission design that uses two clutches to pre-select gears for faster shifts. “Dual clutch issues” means problems or reliability/behavior complaints tied to that specific transmission type, which the host says the current transmission doesn’t have.

Horsepower is a measure of engine power—how much work the engine can do over time. In this segment, the host uses horsepower differences between the non-turbo and turbo versions to explain why the driving experience changes.

“Wind the motor out” means rev the engine higher (run it at higher RPM) to get the power you want. The host says the non-turbo setup requires this more often, which makes the engine louder and less pleasant.

“Base engine” means the lowest-power, lowest-cost powertrain offered in a model’s lineup. In this context, the host claims the base setup doesn’t provide enough “burst” when you need to get out of a sticky situation, so they recommend skipping it.

Adaptive cruise control is an advanced driver-assistance feature that automatically adjusts your speed to maintain a set following distance from the car ahead. The host notes the Santa Cruz trim they’re discussing did not have it, contrasting that with the idea that it’s common on mainstream competitors.

A “plain plastic steering wheel” refers to a lower-cost steering wheel material and finish, typically without more premium touches like leather wrapping or upgraded controls. The host uses it as an example of cost-cutting on a particular Santa Cruz trim.

The Toyota Corolla is a mainstream compact car, used here as a benchmark for how common certain driver-assistance features have become. The host’s point is that even a Corolla typically includes adaptive cruise control, while the Santa Cruz trim they’re discussing does not.

“On the chopping block” is an idiom meaning a product or program is being considered for cancellation. In an automotive context, it usually refers to a model being evaluated for discontinuation, often due to sales, profitability, or strategic changes.

Shared parts are components used across multiple vehicle models, often because they come from the same platform or closely related designs. When a manufacturer shares parts between vehicles like the Santa Cruz and Tucson, it can make production easier and help with parts availability for repairs.

City driving refers to stop-and-go, lower-speed driving conditions that typically demand frequent acceleration and braking. The hosts contrast it with the more aggressive track course used for fuel economy testing, which affects how power and efficiency feel.

An uphill merge is a real-world driving scenario where you’re accelerating while climbing a grade, which increases the power demand. The hosts use it to explain whether the vehicle has enough power to reach highway speeds when merging.

A “40 roll” is enthusiast shorthand for starting from about 40 mph (or 40 km/h) and then accelerating from that moving speed. It’s used here to describe the kind of real-world acceleration test that reveals whether a vehicle feels responsive enough.

In this context, “bumper sticker” is a humorous way to describe a driver’s expectation of performance—specifically, that a base-engine truck may feel like it needs to be driven aggressively to keep up. It’s not a technical automotive part, but it’s a specific phrase used to frame the buying advice.

The Honda Ridgeline is a midsize pickup that’s known for being more car-like than traditional body-on-frame trucks, with a focus on everyday comfort and usability. Here it’s used as a comparison point for what size and capability you should expect versus smaller “small truck” alternatives.

The Bristol Bullet is a rare, niche performance car associated with the Bristol brand, and it’s often discussed because of its limited presence and distinctive place in automotive history. In the podcast, it’s mentioned in the context of deciding whether to “bite the bullet” and buy a full-size truck instead. That suggests the Bullet is being used as an example within a broader conversation about choices and tradeoffs.

A hybrid powertrain uses both an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor/battery to improve efficiency. In this segment, the hosts argue that the Maverick hybrid is the best way to buy a small truck because it boosts fuel economy and cruising range.

The Ford F-100 is a classic full-size pickup truck from earlier generations, known for being a straightforward work truck. It’s often discussed in enthusiast or personal-ownership stories because it represents a long-running Ford truck heritage. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as part of a Ford truck history and comparison.

The Ram 1500 is a full-size pickup from Stellantis’ Ram brand, often praised for ride comfort. In this segment, it’s used as a comparison point for how good the F-150 hybrid felt to drive—“just like the Ram 1500.”

The Dodge Ram (commonly the Ram 1500 in many discussions) is a full-size pickup truck focused on ride comfort and capability. It’s often brought up when someone wants a truck that feels good to drive, not just one built for hauling. In the podcast, it’s mentioned alongside comfort and driving feel.

The Ford Ranchero is a classic American “car-based pickup” concept: it uses a passenger-car body style but adds a truck bed. In this segment, the host describes it as a body-on-frame setup with a single-cab layout and a metal tailgate, emphasizing its truck utility while keeping car-like proportions.

Body-on-frame is a construction method where the vehicle’s body sits on a separate ladder-like frame. This usually makes trucks and truck-based cars tougher for hauling and rough use, because the frame carries most of the structural loads.

A single-cab (single cab) layout means the truck has one row of seats and no extended rear seating area. It typically prioritizes cargo space and a simpler, more work-focused interior packaging.

The Chrysler Rampage was a compact front-wheel-drive “small truck” built by Chrysler. It’s notable because it used a car-like layout (front engine, front-wheel drive) packaged with a pickup-style bed, which affects how traction and handling behave when the bed is loaded.

The Dodge Omni is a compact car that was offered in various trims and performance-oriented versions. It’s mentioned in the podcast alongside the Omni and GLH naming, which points to different variants within the same general model family. In that context, it’s being used as part of a list of cars and related performance history.

The Volkswagen Rabbit truck reference points to Volkswagen’s compact, car-based pickup concept. Like other front-wheel-drive small trucks, the key engineering idea is that the front wheels both steer and drive, so adding weight in the bed can reduce front traction and change handling balance.

Front-wheel drive (FWD) means the engine’s power goes to the front wheels, which handle both steering and propulsion. In a small truck with a bed, that matters because loading the bed can shift weight and traction away from the front tires that are doing the work.

Traction is the grip between the tires and the road that determines how much acceleration, braking, and steering the car can do without slipping. The hosts are pointing out that adding weight to the bed can reduce traction at the front wheels, which are responsible for steering and driving in a front-wheel-drive truck.

Turbocharged means the engine uses a turbocharger to force more air into the cylinders, which can improve power and acceleration compared with a naturally aspirated setup. The host implies that if the Santa Cruz is turbocharged, it would feel better and be more desirable.

Incentives are manufacturer or dealer-backed financial offers—like rebates, special financing, or lease deals—that reduce the effective price of a vehicle. Here, the host suggests Hyundai incentives help clear inventory.

Cross-shopping means comparing multiple vehicles side-by-side to see which best fits your needs and budget. The hosts recommend using their ratings to compare the Santa Cruz against other small trucks or SUVs.

Reliability refers to how consistently a vehicle operates without unexpected failures or major problems. In the segment, it’s used to describe what can be learned as the car moves from first owner to later owners.

Fuel economy testing is the process of measuring how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel under controlled conditions. The point is to generate comparable numbers that can be used to evaluate real-world expectations and compare vehicles.

A “small bed” refers to the pickup’s cargo-box length and capacity. For vehicles like the Hyundai Santa Cruz, the bed is intentionally compact, so the trade-off is less hauling space in exchange for easier everyday use.

The Nissan Maxima is a midsize sedan known for offering a more performance-oriented driving experience than many typical family sedans. It’s often discussed because it has a long model history and has been offered with different powertrains over the years. In the podcast, it appears in a list of vehicles and model years, tying it to the speaker’s ownership or comparison theme.

The Toyota RAV4 is a compact SUV known for being practical and widely used as a daily driver. In this segment, it’s mentioned as part of a long list of vehicles the listener has owned, showing how the Santa Cruz fits into their buying history.

The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan known for being practical, comfortable, and widely used as a family car. It’s frequently discussed because it spans many model years and powertrain options, including hybrid versions. In the podcast, multiple Camry-related years are referenced, highlighting its long-running presence.

The Mazda CX-5 is a compact crossover SUV known for a driver-focused feel and practical everyday size. It’s frequently discussed because it offers a good balance of comfort, usability, and available powertrains, including turbo options in some years. In the podcast, it’s referenced as part of a list of vehicles and model years.

Bed size is the usable cargo area length/volume in a pickup truck’s cargo bed. It matters because it determines how much you can haul—so larger beds typically score better in a truck rating system.

The Jeep Wrangler is a rugged off-road SUV known for its distinctive character and strong enthusiast following. The hosts mention it to illustrate a tradeoff: even when a vehicle has “character,” its ride can still be stiff and noisy.

In car reviews, “ride” refers to how the suspension and chassis feel over bumps and uneven roads. When the hosts say the ride is “stiff” and “noisy,” they’re describing a less comfortable, more harsh driving experience.

Cargo capacity is the amount of usable space a vehicle provides for carrying items. In this segment, the hosts discuss testing cargo capacity across vehicles so they can report how much room you really get.

Cubic feet is a unit of volume used to quantify how much space is in a cargo area. The hosts use it to compare bed/cargo space between the Santa Cruz (15.9 cubic feet) and the Maverick (26.1 cubic feet).

In vehicle reviews, “compromises” refers to the tradeoffs designers make so a vehicle can excel at one thing while giving up something else. The hosts frame the Santa Cruz as trading away bed size in exchange for easier maneuverability and parking.

A hard tonneau cover is a rigid panel system that covers the pickup bed to protect cargo from weather and theft. In this segment, the hosts note it’s retractable and that it still reduces usable bed length when fully retracted.

A soft tonneau cover is made from flexible materials (often fabric or vinyl) and typically rolls or folds. Compared with hard covers, it’s usually lighter and easier to open, but it may be less rigid.

A cargo tie-down system is the set of hardware used to secure items in a truck bed so they don’t shift during driving. It commonly uses rails, tie-down points, and adjustable fasteners.

Crossbars are the transverse bars mounted across a truck bed system (often as part of a cargo management setup). They provide attachment points for accessories and can help secure items depending on the design.

Cargo testing is an evaluation method where reviewers load the truck bed with items and assess how well the bed accessories and tie-down points keep cargo stable. It’s used to reveal rattles, movement, and fitment issues under real driving conditions.

Threaded inserts are metal fittings embedded in a rail or mounting track that accept bolts or knobs. They let you attach cargo tie-down hardware and adjust the position without drilling new holes.

The Toyota Celica is a classic Japanese coupe known for being sporty and driver-focused, especially in the 1970s. Mentioning “76 Celica” and a “five speed manual” highlights the era’s emphasis on engaging manual transmissions.

A five-speed manual transmission is a gearbox where the driver selects gears using a clutch and shift lever, with five forward ratios. In older cars, having more gears often helps keep the engine in its power band and can improve highway drivability.

The 1979 Buick Regal is a late-1970s American personal-luxury coupe/sedan that’s part of the “G-body” era. It’s remembered as a durable, comfortable “workhorse” platform with a big, tank-like feel.

“G bodies” refers to a specific GM vehicle platform family used in the 1970s–1980s, including cars like the Buick Regal. Enthusiasts use it as shorthand for the shared chassis/architecture and the era’s styling and proportions.

“G body” refers to General Motors’ mid-size car platform used in the 1970s and 1980s. It’s a chassis/architecture family that includes models like the Oldsmobile Cutlass, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and the Buick Regal, and it’s often discussed as a group by enthusiasts.

The Oldsmobile Cutlass (here, the 1977 model) is a classic “G body” GM car from the late-1970s era. It’s brought up because the speaker claims it was the best-selling car in America at the time and notes personal ownership.

The Chevrolet El Camino is a classic GM “car-based pickup” that shares the same “G body” platform family as cars like the Cutlass and Regal. It’s mentioned here because the hosts are comparing which models fall under the G-body umbrella and how similar they are.

In this context, “fleet” means a group of vehicles used for testing and evaluation rather than personal ownership. The speaker says their test vehicles have exited the testing program and will be used by families.

This refers to Consumer Reports’ testing facility/program, where they evaluate vehicles under controlled conditions. The hosts mention it to explain how their organization uses trucks and how that influences their vehicle choices.