The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup truck receives almost equal treatment as the latest Tucson SUV. First of all, both models come with the same attractive front fascia, and they literary share many cues. Moreover, considering that the new Santa Cruz is a pickup truck, it offers a short bed.
Besides exterior upgrades, the interior has the same refinement and modern style as the Elantra, Sonata, Santa Fe, and Palisade models. Overall, everything inside is upscale, and Hyundai offers a sizeable 10.25-inch screen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as standard. Hyundai confirms that Santa Cruz will go on sale this summer.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Design
The 4-door 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is literary a compact crossover SUV with a short bed. In addition, thanks to a unit-body design, the new Santa Cruz looks more solid than the SUV version. Like it or not, this compact truck offers the same bold grille with hidden lighting, similar to that of the new Tucson. Unlike the SUV variant, the pickup truck for extra protection comes with a skid-plate feature at the bottom of the front fascia.
From the side, it looks retro-modern, with a raked C-pillar and the new 18 inches wheels. According to the manufacturer, a bigger 20-inch wheel will be available on upper trims. The Hyundai’s bed measures four feet, and it comes with an adjustable tailgate that allows you to securely carry longer items.
Interior Looks Modern and Techy
From what we’ve seen so far, the latest 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz interior will be modern and spacious. Actually, the same design is present on the models such as Elantra, Sonata, Santa Fe, and Palisade. The highlight inside is definitively the new 10.25-inch screen and plenty of equipment. Connectivity such as Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are part of standard features, which is a great move.
On top of that, there is plenty of room, especially upfront. The seats are similar to that of a compact SUV, but the rear seats look slightly smaller on the pickup. The rear seats can be folded, making room for larger cargo equipment.
Engine Specs
Under the hood, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz will offer a choice of two engines. The first engine consists of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that produces 190-horsepower, using 8-speed automatic transmission. From some early reports, this engine will deliver around 180 lb-ft of torque.
Towing capacity is also revealed, and it is 3,500 pounds for the base model. For those who prefer more power, the manufacturer offers as optional a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, which puts out 275 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the base model, this one comes with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters. With the optional engine, towing capacity rises to 5,000 pounds.
How Much Does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Cost?
The forthcoming 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz will receive a mild redesign for the following year. That means its price will be most likely slightly higher. However, we are still expecting it to have a reasonable starting price of around $25,000. Interestingly, reservations started a few days ago, and Hyundai requires only a $100 deposit.
From the information that we got, the Santa Cruz is expected to go on sale this summer. More information, including EPA fuel-economy ratings, should be coming soon. The latest Toyota Hilux, Ford Maverick, and the Honda Ridgeline are the closest competitors of the Hyundai Santa Cruz.
