Used 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The turbocharged 2.5-liter engine is available in the SLE Premium and Limited, two AWD models priced at $35,680 and $39,720, respectively.

Hyundai calls the Santa Cruz a “Sport Adventure Vehicle.” We, however, think it’s more accurate to call it a compact 4-door crossover SUV with a small pickup-truck bed.

The new Santa Cruz is based on a longer, wider version of the new Tucson platform. The new 2022 Santa Cruz will come with a choice of two engines, along with cutting-edge connectivity and an open bed. This new Hyundai pickup also will have full-time all-wheel drive (AWD), which means the Santa Cruz will be at home in urban and outdoorsy environments.

Says Hyundai’s U.S. boss Jose Munoz: “Santa Cruz, with its bold styling, breaks open an all-new segment territory, both for Hyundai and the industry as a whole. Open-bed flexibility coupled with closed-cabin security meets the ever-changing everyday needs of its adventure-oriented buyers, while powerful and efficient engines and superb maneuverability ensure it is a pleasure to drive in urban or off-road environments. Our customers will wonder just how they managed before owning one.”

Think that will be true? Possibly. The U.S. hasn’t had a compact 4-door SUV-like pickup since maybe the Ford Explorer Sport Trac, which was trucklike under the skin and at the gas pump, or perhaps the Subaru Baja.

While we see the new Santa Cruz as Hyundai’s version of the Honda Ridgeline, it’s a more compact vehicle that’s easier around town and a bit more fuel-efficient. As such, it’s in a class of one, perhaps filling a niche we didn’t know existed. This could serve the needs of someone who wants a truck that’s less expensive than a midsize truck and easier to park in the garage.

When it comes to the ride, this is where if you aren’t a super huge truck person but have always yearned for the utility of a truck bed, you’re going to be very pleased.

The higher output turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder makes 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This doesn’t feel underpowered at all. It’s got some good giddy-up. A bit of turbo lag, yes. But that torque will help you tow up to 5,000 pounds worth of toy back there.

The 2.5-turbo is only available with all-wheel drive, which will help you with traction either on dirt roads or in some shady weather. That engine also gets an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission that’s a smooth operator.

Given the Santa Cruz’s Tucson underpinnings, the ride quality is exactly what you’d expect. It’s comfortable and compliant. There is no truck-like jingle-jangle underneath you. On the road, you don’t even remember there’s a truck bed back there.

Around turns, again, this is familiar territory. The Santa Cruz behaves very well. The steering feels precise if a bit overly electronically assisted, and there is a modicum of body roll, but it feels stable and smooth around even some sharp stuff. All around the Santa Cruz is a fun driver.

The Santa Cruz is going to be great on terrains such as dirt roads and hard-packed sand. It will no doubt, get you to the trailhead or the beach. However, you’re not going to be able to do any rock crawling, sorry.

When it comes to visibility, seeing out of the Santa Cruz behind you is a little tough. That C-pillar is pretty thick when looking over your shoulder. Good thing there are good safety features offered.

From what we’ve seen so far, the new Santa Cruz interior has the same refinement and modern style as the Elantra, Sonata, Santa Fe, and Palisade. The main center stack houses a 10.25-inch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity come standard. This should be as easy to connect as with other Hyundai systems.

We anticipate front-seat space will be similar to that of the new Tucson, but the rear seats look slightly smaller. Legroom there should be closer to that of a subcompact SUV. The rear seats also fold up, making room for larger cargo and revealing clever under-seat storage.

The new Santa Cruz blends the 4-door cabin of a compact crossover SUV with the utility of a short but handy truck bed. As a unit-body design, the new Santa Cruz has no visible seam between its cab and bed, so it looks more solid, more of a piece. Like the look or not, we respect Hyundai for building a compact pickup the way it feels is best.

In front, the bold grille uses hidden lighting, similar to that of the Sonata and new Tucson. There are daytime running lights, as well as a skid-plate feature at the bottom of the front fascia. From the side, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz looks retro-modern, with a raked C-pillar that hints ever so slightly at the Subaru Brat. Eighteen- and 20-inch wheels will be available.

The Hyundai’s bed is four feet long, with an adjustable tailgate that allows you to securely carry longer items. The bed has underfloor storage with a drain plug, so you can use it as a cooler when at a BBQ or tailgate party. There are tie-down points and cleats, and a lockable retractable tonneau cover is available.

INNOVATIVE CARGO BED
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz bed is small, but smartly designed. With underfloor storage, a retractable locking tonneau cover, and tie-downs and cleats, you can make terrific use of this space. There are also spots molded into the bedsides that let you create a 2-tier storage shelf. And access is easy, thanks to three integrated bumper steps.

IT’S THE RIGHT SIZE
We think the new Hyundai Santa Cruz is sized just right — large enough to have a comfortable 5-seat compact-SUV cabin and a handy but small bed. Popular midsize pickups like the Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, and Ford Ranger have grown so large that we think the time is ripe for a new vehicle to slot in below these proven players.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes standard with a 190-horsepower 2.5-liter engine backed by an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Other standard equipment includes a molded composite bed, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED taillamps and cargo area lighting, rear bumper side steps, rear privacy glass, body-color side mirrors, a locking tailgate, lockable in-bed storage, and 60/40 flip-up rear-seat cushions.

Heavy-duty cargo tie-downs, as well as a multi-functional tailgate and integrated rear bumper side steps, give the bed excellent utility. There’s also a utility track rail and cleat system.

An 8-inch color touchscreen display with 6-speaker audio comes on the base Santa Cruz. The cloth seats come with a 6-way power adjustment.

Standard safety tech includes a driver-attention warning, lane-keep assist, and a forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

There is an optional 275-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters. All-wheel drive will be an option with every trim level, and 20-inch wheels also will be available.

Wireless smartphone charging, Bose audio, and a digital gauge cluster are available, as well as a 10.25-inch touchscreen. You can get a power sunroof, roof side rails, and a dark chrome accent grille and tailgate handle on higher trims.

You can expand the list of SmartSense safety features with the addition of Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance, Safe Exit Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, a Surround View Monitor, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist.

In the bed, a 115-volt outlet and a factory-installed tonneau cover are options on the SE trim, and standard on higher trim levels.

Leather heated and ventilated front seats, a power driver’s seat lumbar support, and 2nd-row USB ports are also yours for extra cash.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz will be available with a choice of two engines. The standard engine is a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that uses an 8-speed automatic transmission. This engine produces 181 lb-ft of torque. Towing capacity with the base engine is 3,500 pounds.

Those who want more power can opt for the turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, which puts out 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That engine uses an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters. With the optional engine, towing capacity goes up to 5,000 pounds. The turbocharged 2.5-liter is available only with all-wheel drive (AWD).

2.5-liter inline-4
191 horsepower @ 6,100 rpm
181 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/27 mpg (AWD), 21/26 mpg (FWD)

Turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-4
281 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
311 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27 mpg