2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz | First Look
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 Published On Apr 15, 2021

For the latest Hyundai Santa Cruz pricing and information:
https://www.kbb.com/hyundai/santa-cruz/

This is the all-new Hyundai Santa Cruz. Okay, now I’m going to say something. Dudes, this thing is DOPE.


Hyundai’s saying that this vehicle will define a new segment, smaller than a midsize truck and larger than a compact SUV, called the Sport Adventure Vehicle. I’m not sure that’s 100% true, but perhaps the cars/trucks that I’m thinking of were ahead of their time.


Those that I’m thinking of include the Subaru Baja and the Isuzu VehiCROSS.

Neither of those caught on, so we’ll give it to Hyundai. Let’s really dig into this one.


First of all, no one, not even Hyundai is calling this is a truck. This more of a CUV with a 4-foot bed. When designers and engineers put their heads together it was more about the function of a truck but with the road feel and dynamics of a small crossover.


I think it looks great. It’s different and disruptive and looks part 80s Schwarzenegger movie and part future Cyber Truck. Incidentally, Hyundai designers admit that the shape basis for the Santa Cruz was a triangle, not a rectangle or a square like traditional trucks.


The Santa Cruz rides on a platform derived from the one under the new Tuscon. It’s been stretched a bit for the longer length of the Santa Cruz.

I imagine it’s going to drive a lot like the Tucson as well. Of course, we can’t drive it yet to see if they’ve nailed it, but given what Hyundai’s been churning out these days, I’m going to say that it won’t be a disappointment.


The interior gets decent headroom and legroom upfront. In the back, it’s generous, even if it does get about 4-inches less than the Tucson. The rear seats recline unlike those of a truck, so you’re people are going to be comfortable back here.


Another truck-borrowed feature, under-seat storage back here. There are removable and washable storage bins. Very cool.


An 8-inch display comes standard with Apple CarPlay Android auto. There’s an optional 10.25-digital gauge cluster, a 10.25-navigation system as well as wireless charging and ambient lighting options.



Hyundai is marketing this to adventuresome young folks so expect a lot of accessories like roof racks, larger body cladding, and GoPro mounts on the front of the truck, er, SAV, that will compete with the likes of the Subaru Crosstrek crowd.


The tailgate has some thoughtful features.

The horizontal taillights are very non-truck and will still give the Santa Cruz its CUV feel. But there are plenty of truck-esque amenities back here. There are three step-up options. A damped tailgate that’s height-adjustable if you’ve got something larger to haul.

There’s an optional tonneau cover that locks to keep your stuff secure. That stuff will be able to be stashed in the bed or in this under-bed storage. There’s even a drain plug if you want to use this as a cooler.

A 115V outlet, LED bed lighting, and a rail and cleat system will help you organize and tie-down your payload (660-pound payload capacity).


As for the powertrain options, the Santa Cruz is coming with a 2.5L (191hp/181 lb-ft torque) + 8-speed auto standard. Or, you can upgrade to a 2.5L Turbo (281 hp/311 lb-ft torque) + 8-speed wet dual-clutch with paddles. An HTRAC AWD system is optional.

The Santa Cruz gets some tough construction that gives it more torsional rigidity than the Honda Ridgeline. It gets a multilink rear suspension and while, no, this isn’t a truck it’s still got a 5,000 pounds towing capacity.

It gets 18-inch wheels standard with optional 20-inch wheels.

And there isn’t an off-road or all-terrain tire option, so you’ll have to take care of that yourself.



Other standard features include Hyundai SmartSense safety features that include forward collision, lane-keeping assist, and lane following assist. Driver attention warning, rear occupant alert, leading vehicle departure alert.

Available, blind spot collision assist using differential braking, rear cross-traffic avoidance, safe exit warning, surround view monitor and smart cruise control are there to upgrade to. And navigation-based smart cruise control that can slow down based on the road coming up.


Won’t know pricing or fuel economy until later on this summer, but we do know that the Hyundai Santa Cruz is cool. More info to come, so stay tuned.



00:00 2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz
0:10 Exterior
1:57 Interior
2:50 Competitors
3:38 Engine

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