I got my ‘23 SC SEL AWD (California Sand) in January. The last six months it’s been fantastic! I’ve used it to haul a push mower, weed eater, bed full of firewood for camp, baseball gear, random junk, mulch, furniture, and luggage, wife and 2 boys and groceries. The fender wells and the adjustable tailgate do work for your 4’x8’ sheets of plywood. The anchor points are great for ratchet strapping down your load.Clever design. I only needed a few sheets luckily.I used to have a full size Ram 1500 short bed. Haven’t really noticed a huge need in the difference of the bed size. This SC is a very versatile vehicle for anyone. I have approximately 11K miles on it and have zero issues or concerns.I’ve been averaging 23-25 MPG in WV.
I have owned mine since September of last year and by the end of this week I’ll be hitting 10,000 miles and absolutely no problems. I’ve taken it off road (you can see that video also on the channel), Aside from this video I have hauled my 42 inch Cub Cadet riding mower in it, I use the cooler all the time, hauled 3 people in the back at once with a front passenger as well along with a variety of other miscellaneous things in the bed. It is the most functional vehicle I have ever owned. My MPG is also in that same range. Currently 23.8 MPG average for nearly 10,000 miles according to the car’s fuel trip meter in the gauge cluster. Mostly highway miles, but lately I’ve been putting it to the test with things like this. For the record, I owned a 2019 Ford F-150 Crew cab with the 6.5ft bed, and I’ve done far more “truck things” with this little vehicle than I ever did with the Ford. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience!
It should have auto lifting rear suspension. So after you drive a bit with a load it should level itself out. So next time you load it drive a block or 2 then check your wheel well gaps.
Great review on the Santa Cruz, I will say that I bought my 2022 Santa Cruz as a light-duty work truck for the properties I owe and use it to move refrigerator and stove, one by one and garbage bags to the dump, I also use it to move my motorcycle on a rack that slides into the trailer hitch as well as a motorcycle trailer for my other motorcycle. One last thing right now I have about 97,000 KM, yes I live in Canada, that's about 60,000 miles and with no problems so far, I will up date my youtube as time passes.
Bought my SC Night edition as a commuter thinking the bed would be for show, but I’ve moved mulch, gravel, sofas, beds, etc. It does pick up stuff, no problem. Particularly with the turbo engine - which has double the towing capacity and can carry whatever you want to throw in the bed.
Part of what is working for you is the leveling rear shocks. While you are loading it, it will sink far down. After you drive for a bit, the movement of the suspension will allow the leveling mechanism to do its work. See the difference between 7:19 and 8:35. It looks to have doubled or tripled the gap between the tire and top of the wheel-well.
I'm an electrician. It hauls all my tools perfectly, Ive filled the bed with 600ft of conduit before. (Sketchy) but got the job done. On the weekends I can fit my racing kart in it with everything else. It truely is a multi use vechicle
Massive cringe watching This whole video. But i just couldn't stop watching. I'll admit that after your last video hauling 1000lbs of gravel, I've reconsidered my santa cruz use. And now this video with double the amount is blowing my brains. Definitely a highly surprisingly capable vehicle. I'll be uploading a video of my haul of peat moss and dirt from the other week.
I am so tempted to ask if you and mom would want to meet up sometime. Mine is blue too. Just under 6000. will be year old 8/8. Think it would be fun to add a third version to the comparison .
I would be more concerned about the tires. My Dodge Dakota had a 2200 lb payload capacity. After hauling 5-2000 lb loads, my sidewalls started splitting. I had to purchase heavier duty tires. I don't plan on hauling yard products with my Santa Cruz. I primarily tow with it.
2,000lbs ? and it is squatting like that ?... That was more weight than you thought it was. I see you have the base model, which is rated for 3,000lbs, still you must have had more in it than you thought.
For all-wheel-drive models, only 1450ish lbs are reserved for extra weight in the bed (total of cargo). This number is further reduced by passengers. It can tow 3500lbs and 5000 for the turbo all-wheel-drive.
I got my ‘23 SC SEL AWD (California Sand) in January. The last six months it’s been fantastic! I’ve used it to haul a push mower, weed eater, bed full of firewood for camp, baseball gear, random junk, mulch, furniture, and luggage, wife and 2 boys and groceries. The fender wells and the adjustable tailgate do work for your 4’x8’ sheets of plywood. The anchor points are great for ratchet strapping down your load.Clever design. I only needed a few sheets luckily.I used to have a full size Ram 1500 short bed. Haven’t really noticed a huge need in the difference of the bed size. This SC is a very versatile vehicle for anyone. I have approximately 11K miles on it and have zero issues or concerns.I’ve been averaging 23-25 MPG in WV.
I have owned mine since September of last year and by the end of this week I’ll be hitting 10,000 miles and absolutely no problems. I’ve taken it off road (you can see that video also on the channel), Aside from this video I have hauled my 42 inch Cub Cadet riding mower in it, I use the cooler all the time, hauled 3 people in the back at once with a front passenger as well along with a variety of other miscellaneous things in the bed. It is the most functional vehicle I have ever owned. My MPG is also in that same range. Currently 23.8 MPG average for nearly 10,000 miles according to the car’s fuel trip meter in the gauge cluster. Mostly highway miles, but lately I’ve been putting it to the test with things like this. For the record, I owned a 2019 Ford F-150 Crew cab with the 6.5ft bed, and I’ve done far more “truck things” with this little vehicle than I ever did with the Ford. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience!
I don't own mine yet but I expect to use it as a truck.
It should have auto lifting rear suspension. So after you drive a bit with a load it should level itself out. So next time you load it drive a block or 2 then check your wheel well gaps.
I just bought my 2024 XRT Sandstorm (tan color). That turbo is freaking snappy and I love my Hyundai
Great review on the Santa Cruz, I will say that I bought my 2022 Santa Cruz as a light-duty work truck for the properties I owe and use it to move refrigerator and stove, one by one and garbage bags to the dump, I also use it to move my motorcycle on a rack that slides into the trailer hitch as well as a motorcycle trailer for my other motorcycle. One last thing right now I have about 97,000 KM, yes I live in Canada, that's about 60,000 miles and with no problems so far, I will up date my youtube as time passes.
Bought my SC Night edition as a commuter thinking the bed would be for show, but I’ve moved mulch, gravel, sofas, beds, etc. It does pick up stuff, no problem. Particularly with the turbo engine - which has double the towing capacity and can carry whatever you want to throw in the bed.
I intend to do the same with my Cruz just loving the new car smell now
Part of what is working for you is the leveling rear shocks. While you are loading it, it will sink far down. After you drive for a bit, the movement of the suspension will allow the leveling mechanism to do its work. See the difference between 7:19 and 8:35. It looks to have doubled or tripled the gap between the tire and top of the wheel-well.
I'm an electrician. It hauls all my tools perfectly, Ive filled the bed with 600ft of conduit before. (Sketchy) but got the job done. On the weekends I can fit my racing kart in it with everything else. It truely is a multi use vechicle
How did you know it was 2000 lbs? Just curious. I have yet to test mine that way lol. I went to Peter's Mill Run the week after you did.
Enjoying mine so far but not loaded it down like that. Nor have i tried my tow hitch.
Massive cringe watching This whole video. But i just couldn't stop watching. I'll admit that after your last video hauling 1000lbs of gravel, I've reconsidered my santa cruz use. And now this video with double the amount is blowing my brains.
Definitely a highly surprisingly capable vehicle. I'll be uploading a video of my haul of peat moss and dirt from the other week.
I am so tempted to ask if you and mom would want to meet up sometime. Mine is blue too. Just under 6000. will be year old 8/8. Think it would be fun to add a third version to the comparison .
Isn't the max hauling for the santa cruz 1500Lbs? 3000+ pounds of gravel is double your hauling limit
Exactly
You might check the level of suspension after a short drive it has a self leveling suspension
I would be more concerned about the tires. My Dodge Dakota had a 2200 lb payload capacity. After hauling 5-2000 lb loads, my sidewalls started splitting. I had to purchase heavier duty tires. I don't plan on hauling yard products with my Santa Cruz. I primarily tow with it.
I use mine just for groceries,I did load about 14 bags of mulch to my house.😊
Is this turbo or non-turbo?
Thats a big load for that little truck, better to use a trailer.
You are destroying its transmission lol
2,000lbs ?
and it is squatting like that ?...
That was more weight than you thought it was.
I see you have the base model, which is rated for 3,000lbs, still you must have had more in it than you thought.
For all-wheel-drive models, only 1450ish lbs are reserved for extra weight in the bed (total of cargo). This number is further reduced by passengers.
It can tow 3500lbs and 5000 for the turbo all-wheel-drive.