It’s not often that a new vehicle comes along and is called “disruptive” in a positive way, but many car reviewers have remarked that the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is just that. This sport adventure vehicle (SAV) is the first of its kind, and the designers at Hyundai put plenty of thought and effort into its design. The carmaker recently released the price of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz and its various trim offerings. Find out more below! 

An overview of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The all-new 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is unlike anything we have seen before. It’s considered a compact pickup truck, though many compare the feel and performance to a sedan. The reviewers at U.S. News gave it a generally positive review, stating that its handling feels responsive and sporty and that the interior is sleek and comfortable. They did note that the 191-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder base engine option isn’t exactly punchy or strong, but it can get the job done for most daily tasks. 

Instead, they recommend opting for the turbocharged version, a 281 horsepower engine that only comes on an AWD model. The Santa Cruz’s gas mileage is decent for a compact truck, sitting around 27 MPG on the highway for both the base and turbocharged engines. Inside, the Santa Cruz comes standard with an 8-inch touch infotainment screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a six-speaker stereo, and more. 

Consumers can opt to get a 10.2-inch touch screen infotainment center instead, as well as wireless device charging, satellite radio, keyless entry, remote start, and so much more. The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz’s bed is only about 4 feet, and the base engine can only tow up to 3,500 pounds, but that may be enough for some consumers. So, this SAV seems like a compelling choice overall. 

Hyundai announced the Santa Cruz’s pricing and trims

The base model, the Hyundai Santa Cruz SE, starts at a highly affordable $23,990, though the same trim with all-wheel drive will cost $25,490. It features cloth upholstery, a backup camera, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and other fantastic standard safety features. The next level up, the Santa Cruz SEL, starts at $27,190 for FWD and $28,690 for AWD. This option comes with heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, satellite radio, and remote start. 

Those who want a higher-end feel should consider the Santa Cruz SEL Premium trim, which starts at $35,680. According to U.S. News, this option comes with a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive for overall superior performance. It also features a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a digital key, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Finally, you can get the Santa Cruz with all the bells and whistles in the Santa Cruz Limited trim, starting at $39,720. This package gets you a 10.2-inch touch screen, navigation, a premium sound system from Bose, and so much more. It comes with adaptive cruise control, a blind spot camera, and lane centering for safety features. 

Other best-selling Hyundai models

If the look and feel of the 2021 Hyundai Santa Cruz aren’t for you, the carmaker offers several other fantastic vehicles. One of its best-sellers is the Hyundai Elantra, a sporty sedan with an affordable starting price under $21,000 and excellent fuel efficiency. Car and Driver recommends looking into the second-lowest trim option, the Elantra SEL, and the reviewers were impressed with its performance. 

Another great option is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, a stylish and practical SUV that costs around $25,000. It also gets excellent mileage, and it’s hard to beat that famous Hyundai warranty!