The Hyundai Santa Cruz Is Going Rallying

The annual all-woman Rebelle Rally will take place in October, and Hyundai is entering for the first time. Jill Ciminillo and Kristin Shaw (both automotive writers) will drive a Hyundai Santa Cruz for 1,500 miles over eight days.

It will be Ciminillo and Shaw’s first attempt, so it’s a first for both the car and the drivers.

“We are incredibly proud to be sponsoring our first Hyundai team in the Rebelle Rally,” said Dana White, chief communications officer, Hyundai Motor North America. “Rebelle Rally is not only about the competition. It is also about empowering women and allowing them to showcase their strengths and skills. We are thrilled to be partnering with Jill and Kristin on this adventure and can’t wait to see them in action in the Santa Cruz.”

The Rebelle Rally aims to blend the love of off-roading with precise navigational skills. According to the organizers, It is not a speed race but a unique and demanding event based on the elements of headings, hidden checkpoints, and time.

Teams can’t use phones or navigation systems. The competitors’ phones are taken away at the start of the Rally.

“When Jill and I decided to travel down the path to becoming competitors in the Rebelle Rally, we knew we wanted a vehicle that was both supremely capable and fun,” said Kristin Shaw. “We’re thrilled to be driving the unique Santa Cruz in this 1,500-mile rally and representing Hyundai, a brand that has been knocking it out of the park and establishing itself as a major player. I’ve been watching Hyundai evolve over the last several years and have been impressed by its innovative, intelligent approach to the market.”

The Rebelle Rally is entering its seventh year and has even spawned a similar event in Saudi Arabia. Last year, Jeeps made up a significant chunk of the entries and even took the overall victory. Ford dominated the event in previous years.

You don’t necessarily have to enter a hardcore off-roader, as cars like the Honda Ridgeline and Kia Sorento quickly finished the event. Volkswagen even entered a modified ID.4.

“Kristin and I decided more than a year ago that we wanted to travel this path together. When we talked about who we wanted to work with, we immediately thought of Hyundai because of its progressive line of vehicles,” said Jill Ciminillo. “More specifically, we loved the idea of taking the Santa Cruz, a new vehicle in an emerging segment, and showing the world what it can really do.”