Hyundai is reportedly preparing to discontinue its dual-cab ute.
As reported by Automotive News, the South Korean carmaker is planning to axe the Santa Cruz unibody dual-cab ute and won’t replace it with a second-generation model.
Hyundai Santa Cruz production was reportedly set to continue until the second quarter of 2027, however it’s now understood it’ll end a lot sooner.
There were previously rumours the Santa Cruz would receive a major update introducing a hybrid powertrain 2027, though this puts doubt over that.
No exact time frame has been given for when Santa Cruz production will cease entirely, though this quarter production is reportedly halving.
Automotive News reports the earlier axing date is due to slowing sales of the Santa Cruz and a growing inventory that now spans nearly five months worth of stock.
For context, the Ford Maverick, which is the Santa Cruz’s closest competitor, outsold it six to one over the course of 2025. The axing of the Santa Cruz will allow the Blue Oval to walk away with even more market share of this segment.
Hyundai introduced the lifestyle-oriented unibody dual-cab ute primarily for the North American market in 2021. It’s essentially a stretched version of the Tucson mid-size SUV and features a tub.
Despite large demand for dual-cab utes in Australia, the Hyundai Santa Cruz has always been off limits for a local launch due to its left-hand drive construction.
As a result of ending Santa Cruz production, the South Korean carmaker will reportedly instead be able to add more production slots for the Tucson at its facility in Alabama. Tucson sales in the US reportedly rose 14 per cent last year, whereas Santa Cruz sales dropped 20 per cent.
Although the Santa Cruz will reportedly soon be axed, Hyundai isn’t planning on leaving the dual-cab ute market just yet.
It has already confirmed it’s working on a body-on-frame ute, though it’s unclear whether it will have any relation to the Kia Tasman. This will see Hyundai go up against the likes of the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
It’s understood this body-on-frame Hyundai ute will be ready to launch by the end of 2028 and likely will be coming to Australia.
An SUV version of this forthcoming Hyundai ute is also understood to be on the cards. This will give Hyundai a rival to the likes of the popular Ford Everest and Toyota Prado.
Additionally, Hyundai currently has a partnership with General Motors (GM) which will see it jointly develop five vehicles, including a mid-size pick-up for Central and South America.
It’s unclear whether this particular Hyundai/GM ute will ever make its way to Australia.
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