2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the company's first Sport Adventure Vehicle. Part SUV, part truck ... it's a unique model that's sure to intrigue a lot of consumers because it offers the best of both worlds. With its affordable price and practical size, it's going to please many customers. Making it even better are its advanced safety and infotainment systems.

What's New for 2022?

Introducing the all-new, highly anticipated 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz! With many of its SUV characteristics in a compact truck body, this groundbreaking vehicle is ready to make an impact on the auto industry. After years of teasing and anticipation, drivers can now get behind the wheel and experience something truly special –– only from Hyundai.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz – The Pros

1. Load Up Cargo

The Santa Cruz model offers a spacious and versatile cargo bed perfect for packing up all your gear. The roomy open-air compartment has plenty of volume, measuring 50” long by 43” wide and 19” tall – making it an ideal choice for those who need to maximize their transport capacity.

2. Clever Storage Solutions

Enjoy secure and customizable trips with the truck bed, featuring six tie-down points and rotatable D-rings plus adjustable C-channel utility rails. Coupled with an underfloor storage compartment to serve as a cooler that drains when needed, journeys become significantly easier - not to mention more private from onlookers via its integrated tonneau cover which locks into place for added protection.

3. Two Available Engines

The Santa Cruz offers two distinct engine options to suit your driving needs. The SE and SEL trims feature a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder for responsive performance; whereas the higher end SEL Premium and Limited offer an enhanced experience with turbocharged engines of similar size giving you that extra power boost when you need it most.

Hyundai offers customers the option of a standard or turbocharged engine, allowing them to choose between power and price. Comparing both engines showcases significant differences: while the standard boasts 191 horsepower with 181 pound-feet torque, its more powerful counterpart is capable of 281 horses and 311 pounds-feet. Though there's certainly an uptick in cost when opting for the upgraded version, many might find this extra capability worth it.

4. Good Capability

With the SE and SEL, customers have the option to get all-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive is the default drivetrain. With the SEL Premium and Limited, all-wheel drive is standard. This provides better traction when it's hard for tires to grip the roads due to slippery conditions.

5. A Cabin That Fits Five

Five people can fit comfortably inside the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Its cabin feels very similar to one that an SUV would have. Leg room in the back is almost 37 inches, and the front row is quite roomy. Passengers will appreciate having all of that room, especially on longer road trips. This is one thing that sets the Santa Cruz apart from other compact pickup trucks, which might not have that much rear-seat leg room.

6. Ready to Tow Cargo

For those who need to transport heavier items, the Santa Cruz offers an ideal solution with its versatility and strength. Equipped both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models that can tow up to 3,500 pounds or 5,000 pounds respectively – this model makes a practical choice for any hauling job.

7. High-End Technology

With a commitment to superior technology, Hyundai has become an industry leader. Their generous infotainment package features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility with Bluetooth connectivity for all trims, as well as SiriusXM and Bluelink tech incorporated into most models. On top of that, the Limited trim offers even more convenience; boasting two USB outlets in the second row plus 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation with wireless charging capability while giving you optimal sound quality courtesy of its Bose premium audio system!

8. Offering Extra Protection

The Santa Cruz trims come with an array of advanced driver-assist technologies that are designed to help keep you safe on the roads. From lane keeping assist and forward collision-avoidance technology, to blind-spot detection - these features offer a much needed layer of protection against those unpredictable moments out there. For extra safety measures, the Limited comes complete with navigation based smart cruise control so it can slow itself down when approaching curves in the highways.

9. Modern Exterior Style

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a beautifully refined vehicle, boasting LED Daytime Running Lights and taillights as standard features. For an added touch of luxury some models have dark chrome accents to bring out their sleek design style even more. To help make it both practical and aesthetically pleasing the open bed contains built-in LEDs along with a roof mounted cargo light for those on the go.

10. Convenient Features

The Santa Cruz combines convenience, comfort and luxury. Move up to this model for a sleek exterior featuring an effortless tailgate release as well as integrated steps that make loading cargo simple. Plus you can enjoy added exterior extras like heated side mirrors and power sunroofs! Inside the cabin there is no lack of luxury either - with amenities such as leather-wrapped steering wheels, air vents in every row plus both front seats heated/ventilated by your command, it's easy to see why driving experience would be improved when opting for these little luxuries together.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz – The Cons

1. Could Be More Powerful

Hyundai's Santa Cruz may offer the convenience of AWD and a turbo engine, but it will have to go up against burlier mid-size pickups that could give this compact vehicle serious competition. Will its performance match or exceed bigger rivals? Time will tell in what is sure to be an exciting showdown.

2. The Bed Is a Bit Short

With its spacious bed size, the Santa Cruz is ideal for those hauling a moderate amount of cargo; however, it may prove challenging to transport sizable items.

3. Not Extremely Efficient

For drivers looking for an efficient option, the Hyundai Santa Cruz offers great value. With its standard engine reaching up to 23mpg and turbocharged one achieving 22 mpg, it certainly stands out from the crowd in terms of fuel economy options on offer.

While the search for an efficient pickup truck may be challenging, rest assured that there are plenty of sustainable options out there besides the Santa Cruz. Despite its utility, it is not always your most eco-friendly choice!

 

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2022 Honda Ridgeline

For those in the market for a practical yet powerful vehicle, Honda has something to offer everyone. The Ridgeline and Santa Cruz provide drivers with two sensible options - depending on size constraints or off-road neediness! But whichever pick is taken, expect easy handling and reliable performance right out of the gate; these vehicles come equipped to handle any situation put their way.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2022 Ford Maverick

The high-end Hyundai Santa Cruz holds its own among the competition, including Ford's recently released Maverick. While this model is attractively priced and equipped with a powerful engine of its own, it falls short when stacked up alongside Santa Cruz' turbocharged 2.5 liter powerhouse which delivers an impressive 30 extra horses beneath the hood - allowing drivers to take advantage of 5k pound max tow capacity versus just 2K available from Maverick's hybrid system or optional EcoBoost set-up.

Conclusion

If you've been longing for something different than the ordinary truck, Hyundai's Santa Cruz is here to impress! Its intuitively designed size gives drivers an unprecedented level of maneuverability while still providing enough room for all kinds of practical purposes - making it a perfect combination. Put aside your preconceived notions about pickups and embrace what this cutting-edge model has to offer!