2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Restricted in Ice White
The not so good: Middling gas financial system, restricted rear-seat passenger area, particularly restricted availability
CG Says:
Hyundai introduces an all-new compact pickup truck for 2022, with splashy styling and scaled-down dimensions that blur the strains between the compact SUV and compact-pickup-truck classes. In comparison with conventional pickup-truck rivals such because the Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevrolet Colorado, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is significantly smaller. It’s primarily based on a unibody-design platform shared with the redesigned-for-2022 Hyundai Tucson compact SUV, and it integrates the cab and cargo mattress into one seamless unit—not like the separate cab-and-bed configuration of most pickup vehicles.
The Santa Cruz is obtainable in only one physique model: a five-passenger, four-door crew cab with a 4-foot mattress. 4 trim ranges can be found: SE, SEL, SEL Premium, and Restricted. The SE and SEL are powered by a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder paired with an 8-speed automated transmission, and provide a alternative of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The SEL Premium and Restricted come customary with AWD and a 281-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. Santa Cruz’s most towing ranking is 3500 kilos with the non-turbo engine, or 5000 kilos with the turbo all-wheel-drive model.
For higher hauling flexibility, the Santa Cruz’s mattress options an array of D-rings, cleats, and pockets that permit customers to customise their cargo setup as wanted. A lockable under-bed storage trunk with a detachable drain plug is a useful customary characteristic. An out there lockable roll-top tonneau cowl conceals cargo and retracts into an enclosure beneath the rear window when not in use. The Santa Cruz’s cabin options modern tech facilities corresponding to Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and wi-fi system charging. These and different infotainment options are accessed through a typical 8.0-inch or an out there 10.0-inch touchscreen. Additionally out there is Hyundai’s Blue Hyperlink service, which gives remote-access options corresponding to beginning the engine or locking/unlocking the automobile through a smartphone app or Amazon Alexa. A big selection of security tech options are additionally supplied, together with lane retaining help, driver consideration warning, blind-spot monitor, and ahead collision-avoidance help with pedestrian and bicycle owner detection.
The genre-bending Santa Cruz goals to mix the cargo-carrying versatility of a pickup truck with the sleeker styling, smaller dimensions, and higher general refinement of a compact SUV. Although we categorize it as a compact pickup, the Santa Cruz will doubtless be cross-shopped in opposition to conventional compact SUVs as properly. For now, its solely direct competitors is the equally new Ford Maverick, which has related dimensions and a unibody/crew-cab configuration.
Our take a look at AWD Restricted proved sensible and enjoyable to drive throughout our testing, although the smallish rear-seat space will restricted the Cruz’s attraction to households with rising teenagers or those that commonly drive with adults in again. Moreover the dual-clutch automated transmission sometimes registers shifts with extra pronounced engagement than we’d desire.Except for that, Santa Cruz’s tidy dimension, energetic design, and useful options provide a refreshing “adventurous city dweller” various to extra established rivals.
