Hyundai Santa Cruz Trucks Stuck At The Border originally appeared on Autoblog.
If you’re in Canada hoping to get behind the wheel of Hyundai’s quirky little pickup, the Santa Cruz, you might be waiting longer than expected. The issue isn’t supply shortages or factory delays, but something far more political: a tariff fight that has left truckloads of Canadian-bound models parked just south of the border with no clear way in.
No Access to The Land of The Maple
Built in Alabama, the Santa Cruz usually makes its way north without fuss. But earlier this year, the US added a 25% tariff on imported cars. Not long thereafter, Canada retaliated with its own tax on vehicles coming from the US. The tit-for-tat has left Hyundai’s Canadian deliveries in limbo. Executives admit they had already committed to producing trucks for Canada, so now those units are sitting idle. With the tariffs stacked, crossing the border would nearly double the cost, pricing the pickup out of contention.
Sales Stumble While Rivals Surge
The Santa Cruz has always been more of a niche player in Canada, with just 2,574 units sold in 2024. But this year has been brutal. In June, only 38 trucks found buyers nationwide, and overall sales are down more than six percent. It’s a tough break for Hyundai, especially when rivals like the Ford Maverick continue to outsell the Santa Cruz by a wide margin in North America. Dealers and customers alike are stuck waiting for Hyundai to decide whether to absorb some of the added costs or hold the trucks back entirely.
A Bad Time for Bad News
The timing couldn’t be worse. About a year ago, Hyundai refreshed the Santa Cruz with a few exterior design tweaks and a redesigned interior with larger screens and new tech. In Canada, the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine comes standard, which should be a selling point. Yet instead of showing up in driveways, the trucks are gathering dust in holding lots. While US buyers are being tempted with new incentives, including killer lease deals on the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz, Canadian customers have their hands tied. Until trade tensions ease, Hyundai’s small pickup will remain a big question mark for the Great White North.
Hyundai Santa Cruz Trucks Stuck At The Border first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 17, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
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