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South Korean automaker Hyundai is climbing up truck rankings with the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was one of the fastest-selling new vehicles of August. Is the Santa Cruz becoming one of the best pickup trucks on the market?

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a hit

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is Hyundai’s new four-door compact pickup truck. The Santa Cruz is unconventional, to say the least. Hyundai has been enjoying success with the 2022 Hyundai Tuscon SUV. It is one of the most sought-after SUVs currently on the market. Now the Hyundai Santa Cruz is making waves as well.

According to The Drive, The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is currently the fastest-selling new vehicle. The Santa Cruz toppled the Chevrolet Corvette to take the top spot. A study was conducted to see how long the average new 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz would last at dealerships.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz only lasted 8 days at dealerships on average before being sold to consumers. What does this data mean? It means that America loves the new Hyundai Santa Cruz, even slightly more than it loves the new Chevy Corvette.

How much does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?

Hyundai’s first-ever pickup truck is unsurprisingly affordable. The base model SE trim starts at $23,990. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is available in four different trim options. The SEL trim starts at $27,190. The SEL Premium trim costs $35,680, and the Limited is $39,720.

The standard Front-Wheel Drive 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz gets 21 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highway. Its four-cylinder engine makes 191 horsepower. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is slightly cheaper than the Ford Ranger compact truck and the Toyota Tacoma compact truck.

Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz worth buying?

Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept at the 107th Annual Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois on FEBRUARY 13, 2015.
Hyundai Santa Cruz truck concept at the 107th Annual Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, on FEBRUARY 13, 2015. | Raymond Boyd via Getty Images

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz compact pickup truck isn’t for everyone. It lacks the size and power that many truck owners have grown accustomed to. It is a new-age truck similar to the Ford Maverick. As times have changed, trucks are evolving to suit the needs of a new generation of truck owners.

Powerful V8 engines are being phased out of the vehicle class, and trucks like the Toyota Tundra are considered relics by many. Fuel economy and comfort are playing larger roles in the design of new truck models. This pickup focuses on providing a pleasant driving experience. The Santa Cruz drives like an SUV and provides similar comfort, but it also offers the convenience of a truck bed.

The new Hyundai Santa Cruz is worth buying, but the base model isn’t the best option. The SEL Premium trim may be pricey at $35,680, but it offers a turbocharged engine that makes 281 horsepower. The SEL Premium trim also comes standard with heated front seats and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

The compact pickup truck is worth buying for consumers who are ready to embrace a new era of pickup trucks. The compact truck looks and performs differently than most trucks on the market. If you’re searching for comfort and utility as well as power and great tech in a small truck, the 2022 Santa Cruz SEL Premium may be the one for you.

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