The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Fails to Disappoint Critics
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz made one incredible move by making its debut before the 2022 Ford Maverick. As a result, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is the first new compact truck to enter the scene. However, critics are trying to find a few things Hyundai could have spent more time on.
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has a few drawbacks to consider
According to MarketWatch, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has a few potential drawbacks to consider. However, here are a few great features to celebrate as well. The first disappointment involves the price.
We still don’t know how much the Hyundai Santa Cruz costs. It’s expected to begin at around $25,000. Meanwhile, we already know that the 2022 Ford Maverick has an MSRP of $19,995. Also, the larger Honda ridgeline starts at about $36,490. It’s difficult to judge the value of the Santa Cruz without knowing the price.
Potential Santa Cruz drawbacks
For a smaller truck, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz isn’t exactly fuel-efficient. It has two engine options. The 2.5-liter inline-four provides 190 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. It gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and up to 27 mpg on the highway.
The turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four engine pumps out 275 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and up to 27 mpg on the highway. The 2022 Ford Maverick flexes with a 2.5-liter inline-four electric engine with 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque that provides an EPA-estimated 40 mpg.
However, this engine can’t be paired with all-wheel drive. But the Maverick’s 2.0-liter turbo inline-four engine with 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and up to 31 mpg on the highway.
The MarketWatch team then noted that the Santa Cruz has a small bed. But it is a compact truck. The bed is about 52.1 inches long, which is over 10 inches less than the Ridgeline. But it can still hold 4×8 plywood sheets.
They then mentioned that blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert don’t come standard. But a full list of the standard features hasn’t been released yet. Perhaps the base model lacks these features to provide a competitive price against the Maverick.
What critics like about the Santa Cruz
The MarketWatch team praises the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz for being extremely capable. It can tow up to 5,000 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,785 lbs when properly equipped. It can be equipped with AWD too.
Plus, the truck bed makes perfect use of its space with underfloor storage, a retractable locking tonneau cover, with tie-downs, and cleats. There are two storage cubbies in the sides of the bed, and you can use them to create a two-tier shelf and take advantage of the outlets. Also, the integrated bumper steps make access easy.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is expected to be comfortable and convenient. It has a unibody suspension for a smoother ride, and it’s the perfect size for maneuvering around tight areas. It should have the same interior refinement as the Santa Fe and Palisade.
A few standard features include forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. It’s a little too early to find Santa Cruz problems, but we will keep you updated as more information is released.
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