History/Overview
The latest geographically themed addition to Hyundai’s lineup is the Santa Cruz mid-size pickup. Based on a platform shared with the brand’s compact and mid-size crossovers, the Santa Cruz is part of a new group of what you might call ultra-light-duty pickups that slot in below the current crop of truck-based mid- and full-size models.
What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is an all-new model.
Available Trims
Hyundai offers the Santa Cruz in Preferred and Ultimate trim levels. In both, power comes from a 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and AWD.
Standard Features
Preferred trim comes with 18-inch aluminum wheels, auto on/off LED headlights, LED taillights and daytime running lights, heated side mirrors, bed-mounted cargo cleats, an integrated tonneau cover, and passive keyless entry.
The five-passenger interior comes with cloth upholstery, heated front seats, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, and air conditioning.
Driver safety assists include forward collision detection/mitigation, lane follow/lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, automatic high beams, a rear occupant alert, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and safe exit warning.
A Preferred Trend trim brings a power driver’s seat with lumbar, leather upholstery, wireless charging, two rear-seat USB charging ports, eight-speaker audio, dual-zone A/C, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, adaptive cruise control, a sunroof, 10-colour ambient interior lighting, and an upgraded collision avoidance system.
Ultimate gains 20-inch wheels, premium headlights, rain-sensing wipers, ventilated front seats, a 10.25-inch infotainment display with navigation, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, surround-view cameras, 64-colour ambient lighting, speed limit assist, a blind spot camera, and highway driving assist.
Fuel Economy
Hyundai’s fuel consumption estimates for the Santa Cruz are 12.1/8.6 L/100 km (city/highway).
Competition
We can’t call the Santa Cruz a new breed of pickup, because it follows in tire tracks of the crossover-based Honda Ridgeline, which has been around for nearly 20 years at this point. It also competes with the Ford Maverick, another new addition to this class of ultra-light-duty pickups.
