We’re a little confused because the Hyundai Santa Cruz is an excellent compact truck to buy. However, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has one of the worst resale values out there. What is turning buyers away? 

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz resale value isn’t great 

We expected the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz to be a more popular option, but it’s not keeping up with the 2022 Ford Maverick. This is a little puzzling because it has a sporty ride, tons of value, and can even tow more than the Ford Maverick. 

While the Santa Cruz can tow up to 5,000 lbs, the Maverick maxes out at 4,000 lbs. But the Santa Cruz is struggling with one of the worse resale values. According to MotorTrend, the Santa Cruz has a resale value of 57.2 percent. 

It’s only expected to maintain 57.2 percent of its resale value after five years, while options like the Toyota Tacoma will hold a resale value of about 77.5 percent. 

Is the Santa Cruz selling? Yes, it sold 8,695 models in the first quarter of the year, but the Maverick moved 19,245 units during that time. 

Is the Santa Cruz worth buying? 

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is an excellent compact truck to consider. But critics think it’s a little expensive. It starts at $24,440, and higher trim levels increase the price to over $40,000. But the Ford Maverick is priced between $20,995 to $26,280. 

These prices are listed before destination and dealership fees have been added. Currently, we’ve seen Mavericks listed above $40,000. 

Critics suggest that the Santa Cruz has a weak base engine. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to the 2.5-liter turbo engine for 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. 

Plus, to reach the truck’s full towing capacity, you have to add an aftermarket trailer brake controller because the Santa Cruz doesn’t come with one. 

However, the Santa Cruz is agile, sporty, and provides a smooth ride over the pavement with an 8.9-inch ground clearance for tackling slippery trails. It has one of the nicest interiors in the class with upscale materials and an attractive design. 

Also, while the backseat is tight, there are multiple storage solutions to take advantage of. The in-bed trunk has a drain, and the tonneau cover is lockable. 

How reliable is the Santa Cruz? 

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz earned a two out of five for its predicted reliability rating. According to Get Jerry, this score is based on how well similar Hyundai models have recently performed. 

While it’s a little early to determine how durable the Santa Cruz is, experts predict that it will last between 150,000 to 200,000 miles. The Ford Maverick is also expected to reach 200,000 miles. The Santa Cruz has one recall so far, while the Maverick has four. 

The Santa Cruz may have a higher resale value because of its higher price and below-average reliability ranking. However, it’s a robust, practical option with luxury comfort and tons of versatility.