2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Review

Brief Description

Well, it's an all-new pickup, Hyundai's first. But there's a lot more going on than just that. This is a compact truck that uses unibody construction rather than the traditional body-on-frame pickup underpinnings. What does that mean? Well, underneath, it shares a basic platform with the redesigned 2022 Hyundai Tucson compact crossover SUV. This car-like construction results in a more comfortable ride than body-on-frame construction would, but it also results in lower overall capabilities when it comes to off-roading, towing and hauling.

Hyundai, for its part, is calling the Santa Cruz a "sport adventure vehicle," or SAV, and asserts that it's establishing an entirely new class of vehicle. But when I see a bed, I can't help but call something a truck. However, the Santa Cruz is smaller than the midsize pickup trucks currently on sale, so it might very well have the potential to dominate an entirely new market.

How does the Santa Cruz drive?

The Santa Cruz is currently available with two engines. The first is a non-turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It puts out 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The second engine is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and puts out 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. That's the one I've tested out so far.

The dual-clutch automatic transmission is unusual in a pickup truck — this style of transmission is often used in sports cars, especially when the automaker is looking to have quick, responsive shifts. The combination of the high-horsepower engine and the quick-shifting DCT make for a surprisingly sporty driving experience. Shifts are crisp and quick, but the turbo 2.5-liter engine isn't exactly enjoyable to listen to on the highway. It drones on a bit, especially on long uphill climbs.

Steering is responsive and gives you a good sense of what the front wheels are doing at all times. The steering wheel gains some extra resistance in Sport mode, but in Normal mode, it's light enough to maneuver into the tightest of parking spots with ease. Handling is impressive too, with generally flat cornering. Unlike a number of body-on-frame midsize trucks, the Santa Cruz is entertaining to drive on a winding canyon road.

How comfortable is the Santa Cruz?

Ride quality and seat comfort in the Santa Cruz are both excellent. Even with the optional 20-inch wheels, the ride is smooth over broken highways and the suspension soaks up most of the larger bumps. For the driver and the front passenger, top-notch seat comfort makes this experience even better. For sporty driving, the front seats could use a bit more side bolstering, but they are otherwise supportive and well padded.

The rear seat is a bit flatter, as you'd probably expect, but still uses padding that will keep your passengers comfy on all sorts of long road trips. Legroom is limited, but that's expected when you consider the Santa Cruz's compact size. Adults who check in under 5-foot-10 should fit just fine, but if your legs are particularly long, you'll be cramped in the back seat. Also, the rear seatbacks are very upright, and there's no way to recline them. There's no fold-down center rear armrest either.

How's the Santa Cruz's interior?

While I wouldn't exactly call the Santa Cruz a luxury pickup truck, its cabin is a really nice place to be. The optional 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and the matching 10.25-inch driver display screen are both high-resolution and typically easy to read. The one exception is that the driver display can be a bit hard to read in intense direct sunlight. The layout of the interior is intuitive, with high-quality materials and lots of soft touchpoints for your elbows and knees to rest on.

How's the Santa Cruz's tech?

Even the base Santa Cruz trim has an impressive amount of equipment. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is standard, so you can mirror your smartphone's apps on the touchscreen without ever plugging it in. Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist and a driver-attention warning system are all standard. Midlevel trims get extras such as a safe-exit warning that watches for oncoming traffic before you open the vehicle doors, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

How's the Santa Cruz's towing and hauling?

The Santa Cruz has some pretty impressive numbers when you consider its size. Max towing is between 3,500 and 5,000 pounds, which is pretty strong and suitable for small boats or two-wheel trailers. Unfortunately, you can't get a trailer brake controller with the Santa Cruz (a feature that allows you to adjust the trailer's brakes from the cabin), so anything larger will require its own surge brakes or some aftermarket modification of the Santa Cruz itself.

How economical is the Santa Cruz?

For its size, the Santa Cruz's fuel economy is underwhelming. With the base 2.5-liter engine, paired with either front- or all-wheel drive, it's rated at 23 mpg combined by the EPA. Upgrade to the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine (all-wheel drive only) and fuel economy ratings drop slightly to 22 mpg combined. Those aren't terrible numbers, but depending on your choice of powertrain, several midsize trucks can match or beat those fuel economy ratings.