2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Revealed

Hyundai has revealed the Santa Cruz after originally debuting as a concept at the 2015 North American International Auto Show. It's worth noting that the company doesn't refer to the model as a "truck," though, and instead prefers the more nebulous Sport-Adventure Vehicle.The Santa Cruz comes standard with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder. For now, Hyundai is only saying that it makes 190+ horsepower and 244 Nm of torque. The engine connects to an eight-speed automatic with an all-wheel drive, and this setup can tow up to 1,588 kilograms. The optional engine is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 275+ hp and 420+ Nm. It uses an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic that includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for manually changing gears. All-wheel drive is standard, and the turbo model can tow 2,268 kilograms.The Santa Cruz has a front end that's similar to the 2022 Tucson by adopting daytime running lights that incorporate cleanly into the grille design. You can really only notice them when illuminated. There are additional stacked lights in the lower corners. In profile, the Santa Cruz has a steeply raked A-pillar that makes the front look sleek. The C-pillar is also angled for a more dynamic appearance than making it vertical. There are neat touches, like tiny silhouettes of the model at the top of the fender cladding.The Santa Cruz comes standard with an eight-inch infotainment screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Buyers can upgrade to a 10-inch display. Customers can also opt for a digital instrument cluster. For keeping stuff on the inside, the rear seats fold up to reveal storage cubbies underneath them.Santa Cruz's standard safety suite includes forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, and driver attention warning. As options, buyers can add adaptive cruise control, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, a blind-spot camera, safe exit assist, surround-view monitor.Hyundai will start building the Santa Cruz at the factory in Montgomery, Alabama, in June. Sales will start later in the summer.