“I love my [Name] [Name]. The touch screen is a little sensitive yet easy to use, it WILL NOT hold speed in cruise downhill and the MPG is not great. Everything else is excellent.”
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest news for 2022 is the Santa Cruz itself: this is the all-new model’s first year. It debuts as a four-door crossover-style pickup with a short, storage-rich bed and two 2.5-liter engine choices.
About the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
1st generation (2022-2024 before the 2025 refresh), first year / all-new launch
Hyundai positions Santa Cruz as a Sport Adventure Vehicle rather than a traditional compact truck. The core idea is SUV-like comfort, easy maneuverability, and a secure four-door cabin paired with an open bed for bikes, home projects, and weekend gear. Its big differentiator is that it gives buyers pickup utility without the size, ride quality, or work-truck feel of a body-on-frame midsize truck.
The 2022 Santa Cruz ranges from the straightforward SE and comfort-focused SEL to the stronger, better-equipped SEL Premium and Limited. Lower trims have a 191-hp engine and an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while upper trims use a 281-hp turbo engine; Limited adds leather, ventilated front seats, a 10.25-inch navigation screen, Bose audio, and surround-view cameras.
What changed, by category
Structural
The Santa Cruz begins as a four-door, car-based crossover pickup with a short composite cargo bed. The bed has sidewall and underbed storage, integrated bumper steps, heavy-duty tie-down rings, and trailer pre-wiring.
Powertrain
SE and SEL use a 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. SEL Premium and Limited use a 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
Safety
Every trim has forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, rear occupant alert, and driver attention warning.
Tech
The SE has an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upper trims bring features such as a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, 10.25-inch navigation touchscreen, Bose audio, and surround-view cameras.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Shiftronic | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Shiftronic | Automatic, 8-Spd DCT w/Shiftronic | Automatic, 8-Spd DCT w/Shiftronic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg |
| Horsepower | 191 hp | 191 hp | 281 hp | 281 hp |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft | 181 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb |
| Rear Legroom | 36.5 in | 36.5 in | 36.5 in | 36.5 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||
| Alarm System | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Cruise Control | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| 360 Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ||||
| LED Headlights | ||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||
| Roof Rails | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| 115V Power Outlet | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Remote Start | ||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||
Frequently asked questions
Is 2022 the first year of the Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Yes. The 2022 Santa Cruz is the model’s first year and the start of its first generation. Hyundai introduced it as a four-door, crossover-based vehicle with an open cargo bed.
What engines does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
The 2022 Santa Cruz has two 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines. SE and SEL have a 191-hp non-turbo engine, while SEL Premium and Limited have a 281-hp turbo engine.
What bed features come on the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Every 2022 Santa Cruz has a short composite bed with sidewall and underbed storage, integrated rear bumper steps, heavy-duty cargo tie-down rings, and trailer pre-wiring.
What safety features are standard on the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Every 2022 Santa Cruz has forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, rear occupant alert, and driver attention warning. SEL also has blind-spot assistance, safe exit warning, and rear cross-traffic assistance.
How do the upper 2022 Santa Cruz trims differ from the lower trims?
The upper 2022 Santa Cruz trims focus on stronger performance and richer equipment. SEL Premium pairs the 281-hp turbo engine with LED headlights, a digital instrument display, and dual-zone climate control, while Limited adds leather, ventilated front seats, navigation, Bose audio, adaptive cruise control, and surround-view cameras.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
4.4
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
(523 reviews)
“I love my Santa Cruz. Had to pay a little more to get the color I wanted but still worth it!”
“It's just a great overall vehicle that feels like it should cost a lot more than it does.”