One-year Anniversary of Purchase
A great soloist or couple's vehicle, with a backseat that pairs well with the covered bed to provide a wealth of cargo space. Outside of the apparent style and well-advertised bed/ storage, entertainment system, and safety features, the "feel" of driving the Santa Cruz is something you can't really experience until you take it for a ride. You really get a mix of senses, with features that may be both familiar or alien to those who have never driven a car, truck, or SUV respectively.
The vehicle sits at an elevation that is comfortable for clearance, but not so high as to make it difficult for my mother and elderly grandmother to get in the passenger seat. Part of this is due to how the seating is arranged. Unlike a truck, which you typically step up into, this vehicle has a lip on the door frame that you step over (akin to a car). However, the seat itself sits somewhat high/ upright like a truck. The console design is reminiscent of an SUV. Some true uniqueness factors in with the height of the door, which makes you feel small at times, but safe; there's a reason for that (part of the safety features and the vehicles high rating. The steering wheel positioning is also akin to that of a trucks (high) on the dashboard, but the dashboard itself sits rather higher than you'd typically expect for a truck and has a sloped windshield that more mirrors a car. It truly is a unique feel.
My favorite component is the steering wheel and handling though. It turns so smoothly (both the steering wheel and the vehicle itself), handling more like a car than a traditional truck or SUV. It likewise drives comfortably and quietly, considerably more so than most trucks due to the bed being built into the body of the vehicle; truck beds are separate from the cab, which results in more noise (in most cases). Also, the MPG on highways may surprise you. On those 1-2 lane HWY trips for an hour or two (running 50-65 MPH), I'm pulling in 32-33 MPG before my first oil change.
For a truly unique driving experience, offering both style, substance, and utility, then get to a dealer and give it a test drive.
Recommended
Verified Owner
