The new 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is one of the most highly anticipated vehicles to be released this year and is designed to straddle the fence between an SUV and a truck. Hyundai calls it a Sport Adventure Vehicle. But how adventurous you decide to be is entirely up to you.
The 2022 Santa Cruz is Hyundai’s first pickup truck in the U.S. It is scheduled to arrive in dealerships during late summer. It scores with the urban adventure set who want a truck-like vehicle with the footprint of a small SUV and the security to protect valuables locked under a tonneau bed cover. Santa Cruz shares a platform with the Hyundai Tucson.
Power for the new 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is currently available in two forms. A 2.5-liter direct-injected 4-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque leads the way. It mates to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The second choice is a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder providing 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It matches up to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) with steering-wheel-mounted paddle-shifters.
Both engines come with front-wheel drive (FWD) standard or all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option.
The base 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE ($23,990 plus $1,185 destination fee) is decently equipped with features including an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, a 4.3-foot composite molded bed, and a cargo payload of 1,748 pounds.
}
Four Hyundai Santa Cruz Trim Levels
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz will appear in four trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Premium, and Limited models. More creature comforts appear as you climb the trim ladder to the $39,720 Santa Cruz Limited AWD.
Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel drive (AWD) is an available option ($1,500) with both engines in lieu of the standard front-wheel drive (FWD). When the HTRAC AWD is ordered, it allows you to increase towing capacity to 3,500 pounds with the standard 2.5-liter engine. Opting for the more powerful 2.5-liter turbo will allow you to tow up to 5,000 pounds.
While some buyers will step up to purchase the Santa Cruz Limited AWD at $39,720, we think the best value is with the mid-level SEL Premium with front-wheel drive ($35,680). It features the 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 8-speed DCT, Hyundai’s Digital Key, dual automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, along with an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink universal garage remote.
If you need AWD, you can still take advantage of it for an additional $1,500, putting your new Hyundai Santa Cruz SEL Premium at $37,180.
The starting prices for each trim listed below are before the $1,185 destination fee.
Which 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Model is Right for Me?
Santa Cruz SE ($23,990)
- 8-speed automatic transmission
- 3,500-pound towing capacity
- 1,748-pound payload
- Wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
- 8-inch touchscreen display
- 4.3-foot composite molded bed
Santa Cruz SEL (From $27,190)
- Available 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Proximity key with push-button start
- Heated, 8-way power driver seat with adjustable lumbar support
- Heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals
- Bluelink Connected car services
Santa Cruz SEL Premium ($35,680)
- 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
- 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with Shiftronic
- Hyundai Digital Key
- Dual automatic climate control
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink
Santa Cruz Limited ($39,720)
- 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
- 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with Shiftronic
- 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation
- Ventilated and heated leather seating with heated steering wheel
- Available 20-inch alloy wheels
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Bose premium audio with SiriusXM satellite radio
Ready to buy a Hyundai Santa Cruz? Shop for one on sale now near you.
