A manual transmission is an option that becomes increasingly difficult to find in a brand new car, truck, or SUV. The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz sport adventure vehicle just debuted. Does it have a manual transmission?

First off, do any Hyundai models have a manual transmission? If so, will it carry over to this interesting new ute/compact pickup/’SAV’? We are pretty curious about this new city truck designed by Hyundai.

Hyundai models with a manual transmission

Hyundai actually has a pretty hefty list of models still offered with a manual transmission. There are a few cars that the brand gives buyers the option to own a Hyundai model with a manual transmission. The 2021 Hyundai Accent can be had with three pedals. In addition, the 2021 Veloster and Veloster N offer a triple-pedaled configuration, as we can see in Car and Driver‘s rundown of new manual models.

Those aren’t the only 2021 Hyundai models with a manual transmission. According to iSeeCars, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra GT also has a manual option. Car and Driver, in a list of more utility-oriented vehicles that still boast the manual, highlights the 2021 Hyundai Venue for its available manual transmission. However, it only offers the manual in the base level trim.

Is Hyundai coming out with a pickup truck?

Oh, yes. We saw the concept a little while back. Now it’s becoming a reality. In fact, you can officially reserve your 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Everyone seems pretty stoked about the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. With other models like the Ford Maverick on the horizon, it’s really no surprise that we are seeing more small pickups emerge.

But Hyundai doesn’t call the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz a pickup truck. Nor does the brand use any other truck term for this vehicle. In fact, in the new campaign it’s said that the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz isn’t a pickup truck. It’s the first of its kind in a new segment called the “Sport Adventure Vehicle” or SAV.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup truck––oh wait, I mean SAV––is designed for a specific audience. For people who live in the big city but drive outside of city limits (typically 45 minutes to an hour or so) to find adventure. This SAV is ready to take passengers out to hiking trails, mountain slopes, or any other adventure-oriented activity that demands a drive out of the urban jungle.

Does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz have a manual transmission?

According to Hyundai USA, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz will not offer a model with a manual transmission. This actually makes sense because the Santa Cruz is built on the same platform as the Hyundai Tucson. The Tucson, one of Hyundai’s popular two-row SUV models, doesn’t offer a manual option either.

The new Hyundai model has two different transmission options. The primary transmission for this (not) pickup truck is an 8-speed auto with “SHIFTRONIC” technology. In the highest two trim levels for the Santa Cruz, there’s another option. The SEL Platinum and the Limited trim each feature an 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. This one also uses SHIFTRONIC technology.