Our Spy photographer recently spotted an updated Hyundai Santa Cruz, bringing a little more “truck” to this compact unibody pickup.

Despite the camouflaged, the revised Santa Cruz looks to be a bit more rugged…truck-like! Poking through the mesh is a larger, more squared-off grille, joined by updated LED lighting elements. We suspect the rest of the facia will see mild updates; though the headlights seem to be staying low on the front bumper.

It’s hard to tell if the tailgate design will change either, but we assume the rear lighting will see some updates.

This mid-cycle refresh is well timed for a hot midsize truck market, and maybe even in response to its main rival, the in demand Ford Maverick.