Yahoo Autos The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Is the Return of the Mini Truck
Today, Hyundai finally unveiled its long-awaited 2022 Santa Cruz compact pickup truck. With distinctive looks, a crossover-like body, and an available turbocharged all-wheel-drive powertrain, it's in a position to shake up the entire pickup truck segment long dominated by the big three American brands.
The Santa Cruz's looks are a result of market research, according to Hyundai. The company found that some people prefer the shape of a standard SUV, but want a vehicle that can swallow all sort of gear, hardware, supplies, and other items that fit better in a pickup bed. The front end, with its patterned front grille and trippy running lights, reminds us of a concept car rather than a production model. (The actual headlights are in the low outboard light pods in the bumper.
Size-wise, the Santa Cruz is quite a bit smaller than the compact/midsize pickup competition. It's shorter and narrower than the Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, and Nissan Frontier, with a relatively short wheelbase and a 48.4-inch-long bed. For those looking for a pickup that can fit in tight spaces, this might be your best option.
The interior is typical modern Hyundai, ruggedized to match the vehicle's outdoorsy attitude. The gauge cluster is fully digital, while the center stack is occupied by a standard eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There's an available Qi wireless charger pad, and thanks to Hyundai's Digital Key app, you can access the car and even start the engine using your smartphone as a key.
The standard engine is a direct-injection 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four that makes an estimated 190 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can also jump to a 2.5-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine making an estimated 275 horses and 310 lb-ft of torque. (Exact output numbers will come closer to the vehicle's arrival in dealerships.) The base engine sends power to the wheels via a torque-converter eight-speed automatic transmission while, interestingly, the turbo powerplant gets an eight-speed dual-clutch with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Both engine trims can be had with Hyundai's HTRAC all-wheel-drive system, which can vary the torque split between the front and rear axles depending on traction. There's also a Sport mode that sends more torque to the rear wheels for a more playful handling attitude. Towing capacity with the base engine is 3500 pounds, while the turbo motor can handle up to 5000 pounds. Payload is 660 pounds, no matter the trim.
Hyundai hasn't announced pricing for the Santa Cruz, but says first deliveries should start this summer. We can't wait to get our hands on one.
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