Hyundai Santa Cruz: A pickup truck worth considering in 2022
The new Hyundai Santa Cruz is the brand's compact truck with excellent fuel efficiency. The sports adventure car also offers smart storage solutions, making it a great buy in 2022.
When Hyundai first introduced the Hyundai Santa Cruz, the initial reaction was confusing. Is it an SUV? Truck? The quirky mullet is classified as an SUV on Hyundai's website, and the automaker calls it a sports adventure vehicle (which is technically an SAV).
But it has a truck body, which puts it somewhere between the Subaru Baja and the . Like the Jeep Gladiator, which seemed to defy classification, the Santa Cruz is a functional and intelligent vehicle. However, whatever the style, the pickup truck is a pleasure to drive.
Pickup truck with large capacity
From the driver's seat, the Santa Cruz doesn't look like a truck, with struts up front and a multi-link rear suspension. However, it works like one, with a four-foot bed that can get calls from friends who need help with furniture or moving.
A small Hyundai truck hauls approximately 3,500 pounds with the base 2.5-liter engine and up to approximately 5,000 pounds with the optional 2.5-hp 281-liter turbo. That's on par or better than other compact trucks like the surprisingly roomy Ford Maverick or the Honda Ridgeline.
How much does Santa Cruz cost?
The price, however, reflects the niceties of the ride, which are bolstered by the stretched version of the Tucson. A fully loaded Santa Cruz with all-wheel drive will set you back just over $41,000, which is about the same as a Firs Edition, Lariat Luxury Maverick with all-wheel drive and all available options and accessories. The Honda Ridgeline will cost several thousand more at the top of the line, but it's also longer and more truck-like.
Where the Santa Cruz shines is in its versatility and capability, and it will be ready to take you off-road with it on most trails that don't require full flex. It has handy buttons for downhill brake control and a central locking differential for one-touch control options. Ground clearance is more than adequate at 8.6 inches, which is more than the new Kia Sedona and Volkswagen ID.4.
Smart storage options
There are clever storage options in the back, especially an underfloor compartment with a drain plug. The bed's main floor can accommodate four-foot-wide plywood sheets, and an adjustable slat and bracing system is included. There is also a 115 volt AC inverter inside that can charge small items like an air compressor or a phone.
Overall, the Santa Cruz combines the functionality of a truck with the comfort of an SUV. Plus, it's easier to park and doesn't use too much gas. However, you can choose not to tell your friends that you have a truck. Unless you like helping people move.
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