2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Specs, Prices & Features
Reviewing Santa Cruz for the 2022 model year, Hyundai has hit the sweet spot for buyers who desire the utility of a light truck and the comfort of a crossover in one package. Neither the Ford F-150 nor the Chevrolet Silverado is in the sights of Hyundai. Ford Ranger and Honda Ridgeline aren’t even on the target list for this new vehicle.
Truck buyers have had two basic options in recent years: midrange pickups and full-size trucks. In contrast, small trucks are now available for the 2022 model year. The Hyundai Santa Cruz of 2022 is one of two newcomers to this class. It’s worth considering the new Santa Cruz even if you don’t need a full-size truck’s level of capabilities or price tag.
The Santa Cruz has a more intriguing face and wrinkled sheet metal than the Honda (or any other mid-size vehicle, for that matter). It has a more stylish interior than its competitors. However, specific variants lack tactile controls. The four-cylinder base engine is also unattractive, although the more powerful turbocharged model is an expensive choice. It’s still a crossover, but the Santa Cruz of 2022 has an empty box on its butt, so it counts as a pickup truck.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Specs
- MSRP: $ 25,685
- Drive Train: All-Wheel Drive
- Engine: 2.5 L Regular Unleaded I-4
- Horsepower: 191@6100
- Torque: 181@4000
- Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
- Fuel Mileage: 21 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined
- Length: 195.7 inches
- Width: 65 inches
- Height: 66.7 inches
- Wheelbase: 118.3 inches
2022 Santa Cruz Exterior
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has a broad, dramatic cascade grille with the same concealed lighting characteristic of daytime running lights that become evident only when lighted like the 2022 Tucson SUV. The contoured sides of the Santa Cruz, which are also comparable to the 2022 Tucson, give this pioneer Sport-Adventure Vehicle an athletic and forceful character.
While most pickup trucks nowadays have 5-foot-tall hood lines, Santa Cruz is an exception. The buttresses on the side profile evoke the first-generation Honda Ridgeline, Subaru Baja, and even the El Camino.
An aggressive front design with lights incorporated into the grille makes Tucson seem more like a sports car. The back has sizeable horizontal lighting fixtures to emphasize the car’s breadth, which isn’t all that broad in the first place. Fortunately, the door panels are less angular than those on Tucson.
Santa Cruz’s horizontal “T” light signature boosts the vehicle’s breadth. It sets it different from any other vehicle now on the road. The Santa Cruz is filled with thoughtful touches, such as the “Designed in California” engraved rear tail lights. We’ll examine the open-bed design in greater detail.
Integrated daylight running light grille is shown on the 2022 Hyundai Cruz’s front appearance. A skid plate protects the front bumper. Only at night the DRLs may be seen clearly from the grille.
Over the rockers and around the wheel arches, the standard 18-inch alloy rims are wrapped in the elegant and textured black cladding.
Like a Tonka truck, the tailgate is framed by bulging taillights shaped like hatchets, with big “Santa Cruz” letters imprinted over the bumper. Incorporated corner bed stairs and arrowhead-shaped motifs on the cladding and bumpers of the rear bumper are characteristics of the design.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Interior
Although the inside of the Santa Cruze is based on the Tucson crossover SUV minus the luggage space and gear selector, it is still a very similar design. With a 10.3-inch screen and a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster, the $41,500 Santa Cruz Limited’s interior seemed clean and flashy.
However, the glitz was short-lived, as was the case with Tucson. Hyundai hasn’t learned from Ford’s mistakes with MyFord Touch since the controls for the entertainment and temperature are touch-sensitive. The black piano plastic covering the middle stack works as a dust magnet.
It appears downright filthy when the light shines on it before you factor in any human smudges. And like the Tucson, the giant 10.3-inch touchscreen doesn’t offer wireless Apple CarPlay. In contrast, the basic model’s 8.0-inch touchscreen has this wireless wizardry. Pay more and receive a worse quality product.
The Performance of the Engine, the Transmission, and the Drivetrain
Both gasoline and diesel engines are available in Santa Cruz’s powertrain lineup. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cyl that produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft for those who want more power and torque.
This engine is best ignored based on the sluggish acceleration offered in the Attempts to assign the crossover we evaluated. The new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cyl has 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The Santa Cruz is a better fit with its increased power and punchier answers.
Both four-cylinder engines are available with all-wheel drive. Both engines can be mated to eight-speed automatic transmissions, although only the turbocharged model can do so. As a result, the 2022 Santa Cruz is simpler to drive about town than its sector competitors.
The truck’s smooth ride and quick handling were on full display in the top-of-the-line Limited variant we rode.
Towing and Powertrains
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is available with two powerful and economical engines. 190+ hp and 180 lb.-ft. Of torque is expected from the base 2.5L direct-injected inline four-cylinder engine, which is standard equipment.
The eight-speed hydraulic automatic gearbox is standard on the SE and SEL models. The Santa Cruz can pull up to 3,500 lbs. with the primary engine. The SE and SEL models come standard with front-wheel drive, although HTRAC® all-wheel drive is an option.
A 2.5L direct-injected turbo engine with an anticipated 275+ horsepower and 310+ lb.-ft. of torque connected to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox is available in the SEL Premium and Limited models (DCT).
The DCT has paddle shifters on the steering wheel. With this mightier powerplant, the towing capability of the Santa Cruz jumps to 5,000 lbs, and HTRAC AWD is standard.
Real-World MPG (Miles Per Gallon)
At 21mpg in the city, Santa Cruz’s front-wheel-drive model gets 26mpg on the open road. However, if you choose all-wheel drive, your highway mileage increases by one mpg. The turbocharged variant is expected to reach 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the interstate.
On a 75-mph fuel-economy test route, a supercharged Santa Cruz returned 30 mpg highway. This is part of our rigorous testing procedure. Find more about Santa Cruz’s fuel economy by visiting the EPA’s website for additional information.
Both convenience and cargo are essential considerations of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Hyundai has a history of producing cars that include high-quality materials and cutting-edge technology that would look perfectly at home in much more expensive models. For mid-size pickups, Santa Cruz boasts a top-notch interior. For the first time, it sports a digital gauge cluster and a classic shifter instead of a rotary knob or drives layout in its class, which we love.
A four-door crew cab is the only option for the Santa Cruz; passenger capacity in both the front and rear is comparable to that of other vehicles of the same size. Even though its four-foot-long cargo bed is one of the smallest in the market, its lockable tarpaulin cover and helpful in-bed trunk, similar to what the Honda provides, make it a very versatile option.
No matter where your travels take you, you can count on the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz’s rugged good looks and polished interior to provide the comfort and convenience you deserve. Proximity key entry with push-button start, the Hyundai Smart Key that enables you remotely manage functions like locking and unlocking the car, activating a panic alarm, and launching an engine start are all available options.
Three years of free Blue Link® Connected Car System upgrades include features like Remote Starting with Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Climate Control, Stolen Vehicle Recovery, etc. The Hyundai with Blue Link app for smartphones, the Amazon® Alexa Blue Link skill, the Blue Link Google Assistant app, and the interior controls provide Blue Link access. Android WearTM and Apple WatchTM smartwatch applications can be used to control certain functionalities.
Connectivity and Information Technology (IT)
As an essential feature, Hyundai’s pickup truck has an 8.0-inch touchscreen or an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen, depending on the model. In our opinion, though, the company’s choice to exclude any tactile buttons is a blunder.
The Santa Cruz includes wireless pairing for Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and wireless device charging. The eight-speaker Bose audio system is available for those who desire a better stereo.
In addition to being able to start and unlock doors remotely, Hyundai’s Blue Link solutions, which are free of charge for the first three years, allow customers to control the truck’s functions through the Internet and other mobile applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to Santa Cruz, how safe can you feel?
The NHTSA hasn’t yet concluded its crash testing. However, the IIHS has rated the Santa Cruz a Top Defensive Pick when fitted with the LED projector lighting featured on the most expensive versions. ” This, together with the IIHS’s “Superior” rating for the vehicle’s standard automated emergency braking system, both earn us one point. Good safety features provide an extra punch to the overall score of 8. If the NHTSA testing confirms the top IIHS scores in all six crash tests, it might earn one more point.
Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz fuel efficient?
It’s hard to catch this one with the Subaru Outback & Ford Maverick leading the way. The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is EPA-rated at 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 combined with all-wheel driving and the base 191-hp 2.5-liter inline-4. Front-wheel drive improves highway mileage by one mpg. On our scale, this is a 4.
Although the turbo-4 with all-wheel drive receives the same road rating as the smaller engine, it suffers in the city, where it earns an EPA-rated 19/27/22 miles per gallon.
How much is Santa Cruz?
With the Ford Maverick as its primary opponent, the 2022 Santa Cruz entrance fee is cheaper. Santa Cruz has a lot of items and a top-notch warranty, but it’s not cheap. For a bit vehicle, the Santa Cruz Limited costs more than $40,000, but it was fully equipped. It’s well worth the money.
In what year will Santa Cruz be available?
Hyundai’s warranties are unsurpassed, with a powertrain and a virtual proof of five years, 60,000 miles, and ten years. Seven years of corrosion protection and endless miles of driving are also included. Five years of roadside assistance and 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance are also included.
Conclusion
In addition to front-wheel drive, Hyundai sells the Santa Cruz with a normally aspirated 2.5-liter turbo I4. Still, my loaded Limited variant has an all-wheel drive and a powerful 2.5-liter turbo I4.
The front end of the Santa Cruz features the same ultracool light treatment as the Tucson, and the 4.5-footbed in the rear is beautiful. When you move away from Santa Cruz in a parking lot, You can always give it a second glance and grin.
All purchasers will be satisfied with the innovative 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz’s breakthrough blend of comfort and usefulness with a small footprint.
Although these clients have a variety of hectic lifestyles, they still need the room, protection, driving comfort, and fuel economy of an SUV. Still, they also need an open-bed design for those adventurous hobbies that fill their active lives.
