2024 New York Auto Show: Hyundai Doubles Up

Tim Healey
by Tim Healey

NEW YORK -- Hyundai kicked off the 2024 New York International Auto Show by dropping the new Tucson and a refreshed Santa Cruz minitruck.


The Santa Cruz gets an interior and exterior refresh, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the XRT trim gets beefed up a bit with all-terrain tires and front tow hooks.

As part of the refresh, the dash gets redesigned to have a curving layout that sweeps the gauge cluster into the infotainment screen.

XRTs get their own grille, front and rear fascias, 18-inch wheels, and badging. The approach angle is increased, and a 360-degree camera and blind-spot monitoring are added.

For the rest of the lineup, the grille and front fascia are reworked along with the daytime running lights. Customers now have new wheel designs to chose from.

In addition to the new dash, there's a new steering wheel and new audio/climate controls with -- hallelujah -- knobs and buttons. The rear-seat armrest has two cupholders.

There's more -- over-the-air update capability is added. So are USB-C ports, an in-car payment system, Hyundai's BlueLink+ infotainment app, a digital key, towing mode for certain trims, and a fingerprint scanner. Forward-attention warning is now available.

Perhaps the bigger news from Hyundai is the new Tucson. It, too, is refreshed, getting new wheel designs and changes to the front and rear lighting. The front and rear ends are massaged, getting new fascias. The grille is new, too.

The interior, meanwhile, gets the same treatment as with the Santa Cruz.

Certain models now get an column shifter, and the wireless charging pad gets moved to a more convenient location.

Other, smaller changes include the addition of noise-reducing laminated glass on the Limited trim.

As with the Santa Cruz, other additions include standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus available features such as forward-attention warning, digital key, and fingerprint scanner.

[Images: Hyundai]

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Tim Healey
Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

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  • Ajla Ajla on Mar 27, 2024

    My mother was a big fan of the Santa Cruz but didn't like the color palette or user interface. These updates might get her buying one.

  • Vulpine Vulpine on Mar 27, 2024

    I already have some of that in my '24 Santa Cruz I just purchased. And honestly, I like the current grille more than I do the new one. I won't argue the overall effect, however. So far I'm VERY pleased with my new, smaller, truck.

    • Vulpine Vulpine on Mar 27, 2024

      Note: It's VERY hard to argue with the factory warranty.


  • Kwik_Shift_Pro4X As much problems as I had with my '96 Chevy Impala SS.....I would love to try one again. I've seen a Dark Cherry Metallic one today and it looked great.
  • Susan O’Neil There is a good reason to keep the Chevrolet Malibu and other 4 door family sedans! You can transport your parents and other somewhat handicapped people comfortably and safety! If someone can stand and pivot you can put them in your car. An armrest in the back seat is appreciated and a handle above the door! Oh…and leather seats so your passenger can slide across the seat! 😊Plus, you can place a full sized wheelchair or walker in the trunk! The car sits a little lower…so it’s doable! I currently have a Ford Fusion and we have a Honda Accord. Our previous cars were Mercury Sables-excellent for transporting handicapped people and equipment! As the population ages-sedans are a very practical choice! POV from a retired handicapped advocate and daughter! 😊
  • Freddie Remember those ads that say "Call your doctor if you still have...after four hours"?You don't need to call your doctor, just get behind the wheel of a CUV. In fact, just look at one.I'm a car guy with finite resources; I can't afford a practical car during the week plus a fun car on the weekend. My solution is my Honda Civic Si 4 door sedan. Maybe yours is a Dodge Charger (a lot of new Chargers are still on dealer lots).
  • Daniel J Interesting in that we have several weeks where the temperature stays below 45 but all weather tires can't be found in a shop anywhere. I guess all seasons are "good enough".
  • Steve Biro For all the talk about sedans vs CUVs and SUVs, I simply can’t bring myself to buy any modern vehicle. And I know it’s only going to get worse.
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