The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited AWD Pickup Truck
You Are What You Drive — A Bottom Line Review
The Bottom Line: What is a Santa Cruz? The Santa Cruz is an all new pickup truck from Hyundai, and it’s their very first truck. This is a compact pickup truck that uses unibody construction instead of the traditional body on frame pickup truck underpinnings, and it shares a basic platform with the redesigned 2022 Hyundai Tucson crossover SUV.
This car-like construction results in a more comfortable ride and handling, than a truck with body on frame construction would, and it has great metrics when it comes to off road, towing and hauling payloads. The new Hyundai Santa Cruz shows it really is a compact crossover SUV, with a pickup bed grafted onto the back end.
The Santa Cruz has some impressive numbers when you consider its compact size. Max towing is between 3,500 and 5,000 pounds, which is strong enough for towing a small camping trailer, a set of jet skis, or your boat.
The Santa Cruz is currently available with two engines. The base motor is a non turbo 2.5L liter 4 cylinder engine paired with an 8 speed automatic transmission. It puts out 191 horsepower and has 181 lb-ft of torque. The optional motor is a turbocharged 2.5L liter 4 cylinder engine that is paired with an eight speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and puts out 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. This is the engine you really want, with more HP and torque, to make the Santa Cruz pickup truck run and drive like a compact sports car.
This week Hyundai sent me the brand new for 2022 Santa Cruz Limited Edition AWD all wheel drive compact pickup truck with a base price of $39,720. The options on the press truck are: the Sage paint for $400, and the carpeted floor mats for $195. The total MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including the $1,225 destination charge, came to: $41,540.
After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the total purchase price is: $46,733. While near $47 grand seems like a lot, this Limited Edition Santa Cruz pickup truck has every option Hyundai can put on it.
The driveline starts with the 281 HP 2.5L liter turbocharged 4 cylinder engine that is bolted to an 8 speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC drive model select with paddle shifters, running into a HTRAC AWD all wheel drive traction system. Stability is achieved with a self leveling rear suspension system that keeps the truck level and stable all the time, regardless of the load.
The exterior comes with 20” alloy wheels with a temporary compact spare tire, LED daytime running lights, LED tail lights, automatic LED headlights, high beam assist, a premium finish dark chrome front grill and tailgate handle, a power sunroof, a set of roof top side rails, LED bed lighting, a rear sliding glass window with defroster, an integrated tonneau bed cover, an adjustable c-channel cleat bed rail hold down system, under bed and sidewall storage compartments, rear bumper corner steps, and heated side view mirrors with built in turn signal indicators. Plus the entire pickup bed is made of sheet molded composite to resist rust and damage for its entire life.
The comfort and convenience list is over 30 lines long, and features leather trimmed seats, smart cruise control, dual automatic temperature control, rain sensing wipers, a digital key with push button and remote engine start, power drivers side seat with lumbar support, LED interior lights, ambient interior lighting, a leather wrapped steering wheel, and shift knob, heated and ventilated front seats, blind spot view monitor, auto dimming mirrors, 60/40 flip up rear seats with storage bins, a 10.25” digital instrument cluster, surround view monitors, dual front USB outlets, a wireless charging pad, 115 volt AC power inverter in the bed, and a Bose premium audio system with SiriusXM HD radio.
While this truck is a Limited Edition model with over $16,325 in options, you can buy a base truck for less than $24,000, plus tax and license fees.
That’s a lot of truck for just a little money, as the average transaction price for a new 2021 vehicle is now over $40 Grand.
So, when you’re ready to buy a new compact pickup truck, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz should be at the top of your ride and drive list, as it’s the newest compact PU truck for sale today. Call, click or visit your local Hyundai dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on a new 2022 Santa Cruz. And remember that the base window sticker price for a new Hyundai pickup truck starts at only $23,990.
A word to the wise is sufficient: Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense © editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net