2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz: The Best of Both Truck and SUV
The 2022 Santa Cruz is built around the same platform as Hyundai’s hugely successful Tucson SUV, a model which is well appreciated for its ruggedness and power. The new Santa Cruz builds on these qualities but replaces the third row of seating with an open pickup bed, complete with a tonneau cover, to greatly increase the vehicle’s cargo capacity. If you need the capability of a truck without the huge size but with all the comforts of an SUV, the Santa Cruz is a perfect match.
Powertrain and Performance
The sturdy exterior of the Santa Cruz is more than equalled by the power available under the hood. For the 2022 launch there are two powertrains available with specifications to match slightly different needs.The first option is based around a 2.5L four-cylinder engine putting out 191 horsepower and 181lb-ft of torque, reaching either front-wheel or all-wheel drive via an eight-speed automatic transmission. This choice is a great one for everyday driving mixed with some light duty truck use, offering both power and economy.
But for heavier pickup duties, trading up to the 2.5L turbo engine pushes the output up to 281 horsepower and 311lb-ft, unlocking the true payload and towing potential of the pickup design. This more powerful engine is offered with an upgraded eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, along with all-wheel drive as standard.
Fuel Economy
The great advantage of the innovative Santa Cruz design is a fuel economy that’s unmatched by other trucks. The entry-level front-wheel drive model delivers highly impressive ratings of 11.2L / 100km in the city and 9.0L / 100km on the highway, figures more likely to be seen in a family SUV than a powerful pickup.Not surprisingly, the turbo engine with all-wheel drive is a little thirstier in the city at 12.4L / 100km, but the highway rating reaches down to 8.7L / 100km, an incredible figure for a truck with such high engine power.