7 Reasons the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz for Sale is the Truck You Didn’t Know You Needed

Looking for a fresh set of wheels that has the versatility of a truck but the style of a crossover? The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz might be your new best friend on the road. Combining the practicality of a pickup with the refined, everyday feel of an SUV, this vehicle is carving its niche in the crowded automotive market.

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, let’s get something straight: the Santa Cruz is not your traditional truck. Some people have called it a "lifestyle vehicle"—and while that may sound fancy—it’s just a truck that’s perfect for weekend warriors and city dwellers alike. It’s the truck for folks who want to haul, but also look good doing it.

Why Consider the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz for Sale?

You’re probably scrolling through listings right now and thinking: “Why should I consider this? Why not go with a classic like the Toyota Tacoma or Ford Maverick?” Well, the Santa Cruz answers this with style versatility and tech. Let's dive into the 7 main reasons this vehicle should be on your radar.

1. Unique Design that Stands Out

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is nothing if not eye-catching. It blends sleek curves with bold lines for a look that says, “I know what I’m doing.” If you’re tired of trucks that all look like they were carved from the same slab of boring, the Santa Cruz might be your breath of fresh air.

It doesn’t take long to spot the influence of Hyundai’s SUV design philosophy on this compact truck. The front fascia shares similarities with the Tucson—sharp LED headlights and a striking grille. It doesn’t scream “off-road,” but more like a confident city commuter ready to take on weekend adventures.

• Pros: Modern unique styling sets it apart
• Potential drawback: Not everyone is on board with this bold design—it’s like the mullet of trucks. Business up front, party in the back.

2. Interior Comfort: Cozy and Tech-Filled

Step inside and you’ll see Hyundai didn’t skimp on the interior. You’ve got ample legroom in the front, plenty of storage spaces, and some of the best tech you can ask for in a compact truck. There’s an 8-inch touchscreen standard (and optional 10.25 inches), complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Alex Collantes a 2022 Santa Cruz owner from Austin TX raves about the tech "I’ve never owned a truck with a touchscreen this clear and responsive. The system is super intuitive and the fact that I can sync my phone wirelessly has been a game changer for long drives.”

• Pros: High-end tech features and a refined interior give it an upscale vibe
• Potential drawback: Rear seating is a bit tight. It’s great for kids...but for your 6'2" buddy? Yeah no. Not unless you want to listen to him complain the entire drive.

Tech Highlights Include:

• Digital gauge cluster for that futuristic look
• Available Bose sound system for your road trip playlists
• BlueLink connected services so you can start the car from your phone and look cool doing it

3. The Bed: Small But Mighty

This truck may not have the cavernous bed of a full-sized Ford F-150 but for its size it’s surprisingly versatile. Measuring about 4.3 feet the bed features an underfloor storage compartment tie-down cleats and a locking tonneau cover.

You might not haul a boat but you can load up your camping gear groceries or tailgating supplies without issue. It’s the perfect bed size for the everyday truck user who doesn't need to move a mountain every weekend.

• Pros: The integrated bed storage and lockable cover add practical utility
• Potential drawback: You won’t be hauling tons of plywood. It’s a “cute” bed. Let’s just say if you’re looking to haul construction materials you’ll be disappointed. Unless you’re building a dollhouse.

Storage Solutions Galore

• In-bed trunk: Great for stashing valuables
• Lockable tonneau cover: Keep your stuff secure even in the rain

4. Powerful Yet Efficient Engine Options

Under the hood the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers two engine options. You’ve got the 2.5-liter inline-four which churns out 191 horsepower or the 2.5-liter turbocharged version that ups the ante with 281 horsepower. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission this truck gives you plenty of pep for merging onto the freeway or overtaking slow traffic.

Now for fuel economy. This little guy does quite well: up to 21 MPG city and 27 MPG highway for the base engine. The turbocharged version does drop a bit in efficiency but hey you’re getting more power so there’s always that trade-off.

• Pros: Two engine options allow you to pick what fits your driving style
• Potential drawback: It’s no torque monster like a diesel. Hauling a trailer up a steep hill might get a little...interesting. But hey, who needs to pull a mountain when you’ve got Wi-Fi?

5. Safety Features to Keep You in One Piece

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is loaded with safety tech which Hyundai brands as SmartSense. You get the basics like forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring but it goes further with features like lane-keeping assist and driver attention warning.

One of the neat features is Safe Exit Assist which prevents passengers from opening their doors into oncoming traffic. That’ll save you a lot of side-mirror replacements and angry bikers.

• Pros: Hyundai takes safety seriously—it’s like having a copilot watching your every move
• Potential drawback: With all the beeping and warning sounds you might feel like you're being monitored by a helicopter parent. Some of us like a little danger in our lives right?

Key Safety Features Include:

• Automatic emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane-keeping assist
• Blind-spot monitoring

6. Pricing: Affordable with Options

Now the big question: How much will the Santa Cruz set you back? The starting MSRP for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE is about $24,140. For the Limited trim with all the bells and whistles you’re looking at around $40,000. Not bad considering you’re getting a truck that’s part SUV part pickup and part “conversation starter.”

Alex Collantes who purchased the Limited trim version mentions “I shopped around a lot before making my decision but nothing else offered the same level of tech for the price. It’s like getting the best of both worlds—a cool city car and a truck for weekend adventures.”

• Pros: Affordable price for a versatile vehicle
• Potential drawback: The fully-loaded Limited trim is creeping up into luxury territory. You’ll have to decide if all the extras are worth it. Can you really put a price on heated seats? Actually, yes you can—and Hyundai does.

7. Towing and Off-Road: Light Duty but Capable

If you’re wondering whether the Santa Cruz can tow—the answer is yes! But it’s no heavy-duty hauler. The base engine can tow up to 3,500 pounds while the turbocharged version maxes out at 5,000 pounds. That’s enough to pull a small boat or a couple of ATVs but you won’t be moving a house.

As for off-road capability the Santa Cruz comes with available all-wheel drive but don’t expect it to tackle Moab. This truck is more suited for dirt roads and muddy parking lots than scaling mountain passes. But for most weekend adventurers it’ll handle whatever Mother Nature throws at you.

• Pros: AWD and decent towing for most people’s needs
• Potential drawback: This isn’t a rock crawler. Taking it off-road is like trying to hike in loafers—you can do it but it might not be the best idea.

Towing Breakdown

• Base engine: 3,500 pounds
• Turbocharged engine: 5,000 pounds with AWD

Final Thoughts on the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a head-turner in the compact truck segment blending the best of both worlds. It offers versatility style and tech making it ideal for the urban adventurer who needs a truck that looks as good in the city as it does on the trail.

However let’s keep it real—this isn’t a traditional truck. If you need to haul heavy loads regularly or plan on serious off-roading, you might want to check out a bigger beast. But for the average driver looking for something fun functional and just plain cool the Santa Cruz checks all the boxes.

Alex Collantes sums it up nicely: “It’s not a truck for everyone but it’s definitely a truck for me. I get all the utility I need with the added benefit of turning heads at every stoplight.”

So, if you’re in the market and considering a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz for sale it’s worth a test drive. You might just find it’s the perfect truck for your lifestyle even if you don’t know it yet.