What you see here are independent illustrations made by Kolesa artist Nikita Chuicko that are neither related to nor endorsed by Hyundai.
The new Hyundai Santa Cruz takes obvious design inspiration from the Tucson SUV. However, that hasn’t stopped the guys from Kolesa from rendering an SUV that is based on the Santa Cruz.
In transforming the pickup into an SUV, the Russian publication has managed to morph some of its most unique design elements into the shape of an SUV that is larger than the Tucson and would have more than enough room for seven seats.
Very few changes have been made to the front of the vehicle with the same LED headlights and hidden daytime running lights as the Santa Cruz. In fact, the SUV is largely identical to the truck from the front fascia to the rear doors. A canopy has then been designed to sit in place of where the bed would normally be and, to our eyes at least, the end result is actually pretty good.
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The eye-catching taillights of the Santa Cruz have also been retained, although they are now connected by an LED light bar.
Kolesa notes that its Santa Cruz-based SUV has the same dimensions as the pickup, meaning it is 4,971 mm (195.7 inches) long, 1,905 mm (75 inches) wide, and 1,694 mm (66.6-inches) tall with a 3,005 mm (118 inch) wheelbase, making it significantly larger than the Tucson that is 4,630 mm long (182 inches), 1,865 mm (73 inches) wide, 1,665 mm (65.5 inches) tall, and has a 2,755 mm (108.4 inch) wheelbase.
For as good as the SUV looks, however, there is very little chance of Hyundai producing such a model.
