Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Worth Waiting For?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In just a few more months, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is expected to arrive at dealership lots. But is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz worth waiting for? Let’s explore what’s included in the price and when you can actually expect to be behind the wheel. 

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz worth buying? 

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz | Hyundai

Yes, if you want a sporty compact truck, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is an excellent option to consider. It has a starting price of about $23,990. This allows you to get a sensibly sized truck without breaking the bank. 

But when will the Hyundai Santa Cruz be available? It’s possible that you’ll be able to purchase a Santa Cruz by the end of the year. The Santa Cruz has entered production at the Hyundai factory in Alabama. 

However, it’s possible that the Santa Cruz could be delayed until the beginning of 2022. No auto manufacturer is currently immune to possible delays caused by the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak or the global semi-conductor chip shortage. 

With a $100 deposit, you can reserve your Hyundai Santa Cruz model. But submitting a reservation request does not guarantee availability. It’s not a vehicle order or purchase. You can learn more about the reservations here. 

What comes with the Santa Cruz? 

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes with two engines. The standard option is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that should make more than the 190 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. This is a solid amount of power for a truck this size. 

With the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, you get 275 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is impressive. With the standard engine, you can tow up to 3,500 lbs, but you can up to 5,000 lbs with the larger engine. That matches the Honda Ridgeline! Also, the Santa Cruz can carry a payload of up to 1,906 lbs. 

The engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the turbo can be partnered with the dual-clutch. It’s available with 18 or 20-inch wheels. It rides on a wheelbase that’s about 7-inches shorter than the Ridgelines. 

Its bed is about 4 feet and 4 inches long. We’re excited because it comes with a lockable tonneau cover and the storage unit in the bed has a drain. Go ahead and use it like a cooler during hot days. 

What tech comes with the 2022 Santa Cruz? 

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz interior
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz interior | Hyundai

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes with a standard 8-inch touchscreen and Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can upgrade to the larger 10.25-inch unit. Also, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster is available. 

You’ll be delighted to know that wireless phone charging is available. But the infotainment system lacks physical buttons. It’s only a touchscreen, which can be frustrating for some users. A physical dial for adjusting sound is always preferred. 

Standard safety features include forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. You can opt for blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert. 

The interior dimensions haven’t been revealed yet. Some worry that the backseat might be a little tight. But we will keep you updated as we learn more. So far, the Hyundai Santa Cruz packs enough power and value to be worth the wait as a costs saving option compared to the Honda Ridgeline.

RELATED: The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Trim Levels Explained

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Ford Already Hard at Work Fixing the 2021 Ford Bronco’s Annoyingly Noisy Issue

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Ford Bronco is one of the most anticipated cars in recent memory. First of all, it was a great idea that seems to have been executed in a way that was destined to make Bronco fans happy. Secondly, the COVID-19 delays and production struggles have dragged out the deliveries making it more anticipated. However, now that the 2021 Ford Broncos are delivering, there are already some annoyingly noisy issues that Ford is working to fix. 

2021 Ford Bronco | Ford

Is the 2021 Ford Bronco a good truck? 

Ford has been struggling to get the 2021 Ford Bronco together for nearly a year now. The Bronco has been hit with delay after delay. Now that the Ford Bronco is bucking around trails, customers are finding some concerning and annoying issues. 

Customers are reporting that driving the new Ford Bronco over 30 mph triggers a whistling sound that stains the excitement for the new 4×4. In response to this annoying issue, Ford has posted a service bulletin to address this whistling sound. So far, the issue has been mostly localized to the Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims. 

What’s causing the Ford Bronco issue? 

2021 Ford Bronco crushing some Moab trails
2021 Ford Bronco | Ford

According to CarScoops, a screenshot of the TSB was shared on Bronco6G, a Ford Bronco forum. The service bulletin mentions that the whistle noise can be eliminated by sealing off the gap between the hood and the grille opening. It would seem there may be an issue with the hood seal design. 

Although that is a simple enough fix, Ford isn’t going to stop there. Ford has announced that it will be working on a new hood design that should eliminate the whistle once and for all. With any luck and no more factory shutdowns or production delays, Ford hopes to get these new designs on the new Broncos by October 2021. 

The service bulletin also instructs dealers to tell customers that the trucks are still perfectly safe to drive, and once the new hood comes in, they will be notified, and the new hood will be installed. 

But what if the hood isn’t the issue

An orange 2021 Ford Bronco Wildtrak 4-door with no doors or roof drives down a desert dune
2021 Ford Bronco Wildtrak 4-door side | Ford

Some members of the forum have speculated that the hood and grille aren’t the problem. Some users speculate that the whistling is coming from the wing mirrors. *It should be noted that forums are not always the most reliable source of information. There is no guarantee that these commenters even own a Bronco or have even ever driven one.*

Either way, whether the hood and grille seal or the door mirrors are to blame, we will have to wait for the new Bronco hoods to see if it fixes the issue. 

This isn’t the first Bronco issue

The Ford Bronco Sport has already seen two recalls, but since the baby Bronco is a good bit different, we won’t worry about that. The 2021 Ford Bronco was delayed because of the removable hardtop production delays. Well, they should have taken a little more time to build them. Along with the annoying whistle, Bronco owners also complain about the roof panels delamination after only a few weeks. 

While the 2021 Ford Bronco is still one of the most exciting new cars we’ve seen in a while, Ford better hope there aren’t any more issues, or else the Bronco might start to get a reputation. 

RELATED: Frenzied 2021 Ford Bronco Demand Forces Ford to Sell Everything That Ain’t Tied Down

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Tesla Cybertruck and Semi Delayed, but for Different Reasons

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Tesla has been getting a lot of good news lately, but there’s been some bad news for Tesla fans as well. Unfortunately, the much-anticipated Tesla Cybertruck has been delayed, and the same thing’s happened to the Tesla Semi. Here’s a look at why these two big Teslas were delayed, as they were both delayed for different reasons.

Tesla’s success seems unstoppable

The Tesla Cybertruck and the Tesla Semi | Tesla

For a lot of reasons, Tesla has seen continued success, even despite downturns in the economy. For instance, even though Tesla gave the Model S a break last year, Tesla continued to be financially successful. This is largely thanks to Tesla selling many of its more affordable options, namely the Model 3. On top of that, the newer Model Y, which is a relatively affordable compact SUV, has also sold very well.

While many people drive sedans and SUVs, trucks are the most popular segment in America. As such, many Tesla fans were excited for Tesla to make inroads in the pickup truck segment. Pickup trucks and semi-trucks are notoriously inefficient, so having EV options would go a long way as far as being eco-friendly. Tesla announced plans for Tesla models in both segments, but unfortunately, both were delayed for different reasons.

Why the Tesla Cybertruck and the Semi were (probably) delayed

As Autoblog wrote, while Tesla had a great second quarter, it shared some bad news for fans of the Tesla Cybertruck and the Tesla Semi. Off the bat, while Tesla didn’t officially delay the Cybertruck, there was “very little chance” that Tesla could deliver Cybertrucks in 2021 as Tesla had originally planned. It’s not entirely clear why that is, but it probably has to do with Tesla wanting to focus on the Model Y right now.

That said, Tesla plans to move the Cybertruck into its beta phase by the end of 2021. It’s not entirely clear what that means, but, according to Autoblog, Tesla will ramp up production of the Cybertruck in Texas after the Model Y gets up and running at that plant. 

The Tesla Semi, meanwhile, was delayed for a different reason. As Autoblog said, the Semi was revealed in 2017, and it was supposed to debut in 2019. However, Tesla’s officially delayed it until 2022. The main reason for this delay, according to Autoweek, has to do with batteries. Due to a shortage of batteries, Tesla decided to focus its batteries on its other models rather than the Semi. 

How will the Cybertruck and Semi delays affect Tesla?

While it’s challenging to predict the future, it’s also improbable that these delays will matter. At the end of the day, Tesla has a lot going for it. Tesla is pioneering a future without gas or diesel cars. As such, Tesla has a lot of fans that share that vision of the future. Those fans are typically very loyal to Tesla, and so they probably don’t care how long they’ll have to wait before they can buy a Cybertruck. Furthermore, they probably weren’t going to buy an F-150 anyway.

The Tesla Semi is in a different spot, though. Obviously, a regular person wasn’t going to buy a Semi. Instead, the Semi’s goal was different but revolutionary in the same way that the other Teslas were. A lot of stuff is moved across the country thanks to semi-trucks and their drivers, and Tesla wanted to make it green. As such, the Semi has always had a bit of a question mark. It’s not clear how many semi-truck drivers will ultimately drive a Tesla Semi. Regardless, by introducing the Semi, Tesla will be doing its part to making another vehicle class greener.

RELATED: Ford F-150 Lightning vs. Tesla Cybertruck: The Faster, Stronger, Longer-Range Choice Is Also Cheaper

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The “Firm and Flat” 2021 Chevy Silverado Can’t Compete With This “Most Comfortable-Riding Full-Sized Pickup Truck”

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Chevy Silverado and 2021 Ram 1500 are two full-sized pickup trucks that a new truck shopper would likely have on their shortlist. Yet the Ram 1500 has so much to offer, it isn’t really a contest. The Ram 1500’s comfort alone puts it miles ahead of the Silverado. 

2021 Chevrolet Silverado | Chevrolet

The 2021 Ram 1500 and 2021 Chevy Silverado are both relatively comfortable, but the Ram comes out on top

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 an okay score of 3/5 for its ride. It’s quiet: it scores a 4/5 for its noise. Front seat comfort is a 3/5 while rear seat comfort gets a perfect 5/5. After testing the front seats, Consumer Reports says they are “fairly basic, very firm and flat with only a minimal amount of support.”

On the other hand, Consumer Reports says that the 2021 Ram 1500 is “the most comfortable-riding full-sized pickup truck,” which is saying a lot, considering the number of trucks Consumer Reports tests. The 2021 Ram 1500 gets a fair score of 4/5 for its ride. It’s quiet: it scores a 5/5 for its noise. Front seat comfort is a 4/5 and rear seat comfort gets a perfect 5/5. 

The 2021 Chevy Silverado and 2021 Ram 1500’s road-test scores are pretty similar

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and also the 2021 Ram 1500 a 4/5 for acceleration. The Silverado can reach 0 to 60 in 6.9 seconds, and the Ram gets there in 7.1.

Both the Silverado and Ram 1500 get a 4/5 for transmission, as well as a 3/5 for routine and emergency handling. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500’s max avoidance speed is 50 mph, and the Ram’s is slightly worse, at 48 mph.

Braking is better in the Silverado 1500, at a 4, compared to the Ram 1500’s 3. The Silverado 1500 takes 136 feet to brake from 60 mph on dry pavement and 148 feet on wet pavement. It takes the Ram 1500 137 feet to brake from 60 mph on dry pavement and 150 feet on wet pavement.

Neither truck comes with many safety features

Consumer Reports says all new cars should come with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking at city and highway speeds, lane-keeping assistance, and lane departure warning. Other important features include pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, and daytime running lights. Rearview cameras come standard in all new cars.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 doesn’t come standard with many of these features. It only has rearview camera, anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, and daytime running lights. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking at city speeds, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning are optional. Automatic emergency braking at highway speeds isn’t optional for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

The 2021 Ram 1500 also only comes standard with a minimal amount of the Consumer Reports recommended advanced safety features. Only a rear view camera, anti lock brakes, traction control, stability control, and daytime running lights are standard. 

If you want additional safety equipment, you’ll have to pay. Forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist are all optional. Blind spot warning, automatic emergency braking and rear cross-traffic warning are also optional. 

If you want a pickup truck that’s comfortable, it’s clear that the 2021 Ram 1500 is the way to go. With both trucks having such similar ratings, it makes sense to choose the Ram 1500 for the sake of comfort.

RELATED: The Surprisingly Poor IIHS Rating the 2021 Chevy Silverado Received

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