Hyundai Santa Cruz vs Peugeot E-Expert

What's the difference?

Hyundai is leading the charge. And not just in electric vehicles.

Not yet known in Australia for utes, the brand’s Santa Cruz is part of a new wave of car-based dual-cab “pick-ups” that is sweeping North America.

We’re talking monocoque-bodied utes here, not body-on-frame light trucks like a Toyota HiLux.

Recently, we learned that Hyundai is planning to release the Santa Cruz in Australia in the not-too-distant future, giving us the excuse to get behind the wheel of one right now.

What’s it like? How’s the driving experience? Is the tray 'ute' enough? And would it work in Australia?

Let’s find out!

French manufacturer Peugeot is at the cutting edge of electric commercial vans in Australia, having introduced its E-Partner small van (under 2.5-tonnes GVM) in 2023 before recently adding its new E-Expert in the popular mid-size segment (2.5 to 3.5-tonne GVM).

We recently spent a working week aboard the E-Expert to see if it has what it takes to provide a genuine zero-tailpipe-emissions alternative to Toyota’s dominant diesel-only HiAce.