2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a pickup, but not really

If you thought a crossover and a pickup truck were different body styles, then the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz will completely change your perception of this topic. The novelty combines the advantages and appearance of both options, and all because the model is focused on the US market, in which many people prefer pickups. So the South Korean company tried to cover an even larger segment of potential buyers. Did you manage to do this or did the car turn out “so-so”?

Appearance

Let's start, perhaps, with what catches the eye first of all, namely, from the exterior of the car. Hyundai showed the concept of this model back in 2015, and even then it was clear that under the futuristic design there was a concept that had already been completely settled in Australia and the southern states called “ut”. These are powerful cargo-passenger vehicles that combine the roomy and comfortable interior of a crossover and a very voluminous pickup truck storage in one body.



The production car differs significantly from the one shown at the Detroit show in 2015, but still remains true to the chosen concept. If you look at the car from the side, it immediately recognizes the profile of such peculiar legends of this direction as the Subaru Baja and Ford Ranchero.

Looking at the novelty from the front, you will probably immediately recognize the resemblance to the recently released Hyundai Tucson. The front optics are located along the edges of the radiator grille in one row, and four more smaller lights are installed in the second. As a result, the car immediately received 8 running lights. The uniqueness of the exterior of the novelty is given by large lattice cells and an underestimated “lip” of the bumper.

The appearance of the rear is somewhat more modest than the front. Here we see the tailgate, which housed the LED elements of the brake lights. In its lower part, the inscription “Santa Cruz” is immediately noticeable, squeezed out in relief - everything, as is customary for American pickup truck fashion.

Interior

Inside, the South Korean ute looks even more like its Tucson counterpart. In the front of the cabin, only one difference is visible - in place of the push-button gearbox control unit, a lever is installed here. Otherwise, everything is the same: a digital instrument panel, a rectangular touchpad infotainment system with a black frame and wide viewing angles.



What's new for the Hyundai Santa Cruz is the "double cockpit" cabin layout. The top-end 10,3-inch display is located directly above the center console, and the microclimate control unit is also located here. To the left and right of the center, smooth elements are implemented that visually delimit the driver's and passenger's seats.



The back row is still comfortable, but still, three adults in the back will no longer be as comfortable as in the Tucson. The pickup-SUV hybrid gives passengers less legroom and sits almost upright due to the design of the seat. At the same time, under the pillows there is a really huge compartment for storing various kinds of things.

Engines

The range of engines is modest - only two engines to choose from, both gasoline. Or a 2,5-liter naturally aspirated GDI with 193 hp. with., by default available in the basic configuration, or a turbocharged 2,5-liter T-GDI with a capacity of 281 liters. With. The first is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the second is already interacting with an 8-band robot equipped with a dual clutch.

Features

The car turned out to be smaller than a standard pickup truck. Let's look at some of its parameters:

• ✅ length - 4971 mm
  
• ✅ width - 1905 mm
  
• ✅ height - 1694 mm
  
• ✅ wheelbase - 3005 mm
  

For comparison, the same Ford Maverick is 5334 mm long, which is much more than the hero of today's review. The length of the platform of the South Korean crossover pickup truck is 1323 mm, so even for transporting a bicycle you will have to buy a special mount. Moreover, the manufacturer does not recommend carrying too heavy and large loads on Santa Cruz.

Equipment

The car is available in four trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Premium and Limited. In the basic version, the model is equipped with an 8-inch screen, support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker audio system, lane keeping and forward collision avoidance systems.



The SEL version is additionally equipped with heated mirrors and front seats, keyless entry and push-button start, rear cross-traffic alert and blind spot monitoring. Another bonus is the electric adjustment of the driver's seat.

The SEL Premium trim is available with a 2,5-liter turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. Bonus items include a leather steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, digital key support, and LED headlights. Along with this, the kit includes all add-ons that are paid for the SEL version.



Finally, the top-spec Limited adds a 10,25-inch display, stock navigation, adaptive cruise control, a surround view camera, and a lane keeping system. A nice addition is the premium audio system from Bose.

Competitors

Hyundai Santa Cruz belongs to the segment of economical and compact pickups with a focus on comfort, and this niche of the global automotive market is currently almost empty. Despite this, the model still has competitors, albeit not clearly direct ones. These include the following models:

• ? Ford Maverick 2022
  
• ? Nissan Navara
  
• ? Chevrolet Colorado
  
• ? Toyota Tacoma
  
• ? Isuzu D-Max
  
• ? Mitsubishi L200
  

Not every person needs a powerful, “gluttonous” and large SUV, and that is why crossovers replaced such cars at one time. Now the South Korean company plans to do something similar with pickups, making them less spacious and powerful, but at the same time much more comfortable, spacious in the cabin, and of course stylish.

How much?

In the basic configuration, Hyundai Santa Cruz 2022 model year is sold at a price of 26 USD, which is about 885 million rubles at the current exchange rate. That's nearly $1,8 more than one of its closest competitors, the 4000 Ford Maverick.



The most popular, the mid-range SEL, starts at $30. The top-of-the-line Limited will cost at least $000, which is again $41 more than the top-of-the-line Ford Maverick with all-wheel drive, which costs around $115.

How to buy in Russia?

Unfortunately, like many other interesting new items, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is not officially sold in Russia. At least so far, the South Korean company has not announced plans to conquer the Russian pickup market, including due to low demand for these cars in the Russian Federation.



The only way to buy a car in Russia at the moment is to buy from abroad, however, due to high tax duties on the import of foreign vehicles, this idea seems very doubtful. Particularly risky motorists can resort to gray imports.

Conclusion

The new Hyundai Santa Cruz is more of a niche product than a bestseller claim. The car, without any doubt, is perfect for lovers of weekend hikes, trips to the countryside, multi-day trips with the family. On the other hand, the versatility of the model is not at all helpful - the cargo compartment is smaller than that of standard pickups, and the cabin is not as spacious as in some other crossovers, for example, in the same Hyundai Tucson. The final choice is yours.