Hyundai Santa Cruz pick-up caught testing

Work is already well underway on the Hyundai Santa Cruz and, to prove it, the Korean Ford Ranger rival has already been snapped undergoing testing in Korea.

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Set to be built along the same production line as the Sonata, Elantra and Santa Fe, it's the latter SUV the dual-cab Santa Cruz is expected to share most with.

Developed under the 'NX4' codename, like the original concept, the Santa Cruz will solely target lifestyle buyers, with reports suggesting a second 1-tonne pick-up being readied for those who actually use their utility for work purposes.

Under the bonnet, the Hyundai's first Ranger-rival will come powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol. A hybrid version will also be available.

That suggests the Santa Cruz will be more car-like, perhaps sharing the Santa Fe's car-like monocoque platform instead of being based on a more rugged ladderframe.

Since it's heavily disguised it's difficult to tell how Hyundai plans to update the well-received Santa Cruz concept that dates back all the way to 2015, but it's thought much of its brash styling cues will carry over.

The chief concern for Australian buyers is whether the long-awaited Santa Cruz is being engineered for right-hand drive markets, or if it will remain US-only.