The forthcoming 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a mid-size pickup truck with unibody construction. Interestingly, but many people are saying this is not a pickup, due to its compact size. On the other hand, Hyundai says this is a perfect alternative for a larger Honda Ridgeline, also a unibody model. And like Ridgeline, Santa Cruz will offer a crew cab variant with a shorter bed.
Unlike Honda, Hyundai delivers a more distinctive styling with an improved front fascia and bodywork. The interior is not that impressive, in our opinion. The lack of buttons makes it more minimalistic, and the cabin space is not so generous. Still, Santa Cruz delivers a high level of comfort, which is important. The 2022MY comes with significant changes, and the sales will begin this summer.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Redesign
New 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has been shown with new styling, a few weeks ago. It is a significant refreshment for this small pickup, and we think it looks great. As you know, Hyundai introduced its brand-new design language on the Tucson SUV. Not surprisingly, Santa Cruz will wear the same styling, and both models will use the same architecture.
Santa Cruz is a unibody pickup with a sportier look and sleek exterior design. The front fascia is incredibly attractive, while the rear section wears a prominent “Santa Cruz” name across the tailgate. Some reports are calling it a “Sport Adventure Vehicle” rather than the pickup truck. Still, it is a pickup truck, with a shorter bed, height-adjustable tailgate, tonneau cover, and much more.
Interior Looks Premium
The interior of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz looks nice. Clearly, the manufacturer opted to deliver more upright materials to all of its models, including crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks. The comfort is great, although we think the cabin is too minimalistic. For a start, Santa Cruz offers a modern design with a fully digital gauge cluster. The traditional shifter sits on the center console, so a rotary knob is not available.
Santa Cruz is only available with the crew-cab four-door setup, but the interior room is not so generous. Tech-wise, this pickup truck comes with a standard 8-inch touchscreen. Optionally, you can get a larger 10-inch unit. Hyundai offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with the new version of the infotainment system.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Engine Options
Under the hood, the new 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers two powertrain options. Everything starts with a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This gasoline unit develops up to 190 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. This 2.5-liter engine is also available with a turbocharger and it generates 275 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
Both variants will use the same 8-speed automatic transmission, although the turbocharged unit comes with a dual-clutch setup. An all-wheel-drive system is optional, no matter which engine you choose. The Santa Cruz pickup is very easy to maneuver, and the ride quality is superb. This small pickup truck can tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the standard engine is rated at around 3,500 pounds.
Price, Release Date
The price of the upcoming 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz will start at around $25,000. Hyundai will reveal exact pricing details in the coming weeks. The sales will begin this summer and Santa Cruz will rival models such as Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, and Jeep Gladiator.