2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Trim Levels
Hyundai added a new model to its lineup for 2022, and it’s a unique option for buyers who want to stand out from the pack. Truck shoppers only had two main categories to choose from in the past: midsize and full-size trucks. The addition of compact trucks has transformed the small pickup truck market, allowing buyers to opt for a smaller pickup that meets their needs and works with their budgets. The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz fits neatly into this market and is an appealing option.
About the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

 Macro Steering Wheel Logo by Mpho Mojapelo is licensed with Unsplash LicenseÂ
The Santa Cruz is a brand-new model for 2022, boasting plenty of premium features and impressive driving performance. The truck’s ride quality is surprisingly comfortable, which isn’t often the case in the pickup segment. This vehicle shares a platform with one of Hyundai’s more popular SUVs, which improves the comfort over the traditional body-on-frame construction of other pickups. Whether you’re navigating winding mountain roads or traveling on city streets, you’ll appreciate the smooth ride of the Santa Cruz. You’re sure to stay comfortable with supportive front seats and heating and cooling functionality.
The Santa Cruz also has a spacious cargo bed with optional features to enhance its functionality. You’ll benefit from an underfloor cargo bed storage bin to store items you don’t want to blow away, along with a retractable bed cover. The storage bin also features a drain, making it the perfect place to store wet or muddy items. The bed is slightly shorter than typical full-size and midsize pickup trucks, but it’s big enough to carry quite a few items. You can also adjust the tailgate to match the wheel well height.
When properly equipped, the truck can tow up to 5,000 pounds, which equates to a two-wheel trailer or a small boat. You’ll likely need to install a trailer brake controller as an aftermarket accessory to reach this towing capacity, as it’s not offered as an option on any of the four trims. The payload capacity of the Santa Cruz maxes out at 1,753 pounds.
Four Well-Equipped Trim Levels
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes in four well-equipped trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Premium, and Limited. Check out how they differ to determine which model offers the features you want and need.
SE
The base SE trim level of the Santa Cruz comes with an efficient 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It works with an eight-speed transmission that powers the front wheels, although all-wheel drive is an available option. Standard exterior equipment includes a composite cargo bed, automatic halogen headlights, LED taillights, cargo lighting, daytime running lights, and rear privacy glass. It rides on a set of 18-inch wheels.
Within the base model, you’ll find standard odor- and stain-resistant cloth upholstery on the front and rear seats, manually adjustable front seats, manual climate control, and power accessories. On the tech side, standard equipment includes an 8-inch touch screen, a six-speaker audio system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, dual front USB outlets, and a 12-volt charging outlet.
All 2022 Santa Cruz models include Hyundai’s advanced safety package, which bundles active driver aids. These include a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines for parking and backing up; forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking; and lane-keeping assist, which steers the truck back into the lane markers if it starts to drift.
SEL
Step up to the SEL trim, and you’ll enjoy exterior upgrades, such as heated side mirrors with integrated LED turn signal indicators, a locking cargo bed storage bin, and a proximity key entry with keyless ignition. You can also add several optional extras to this model, including a 115-volt power outlet placed in the sidewall storage, a tonneau cover, an adjustable utility track rail and cleat system for the bed, roof side rails, a sunroof, and LED in-bed lighting.
The interior boasts an eight-way, power-adjustable driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support, heated front seats, satellite radio, and automatic up-and-down functionality for the front windows. Options offered on this trim level include rear sliding glass and LED ambient interior lighting. You can also add the available Activity package, which tacks on a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and wireless device charging.
Hyundai has added some extra safety features to the SEL, including blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. In addition, the model includes blind-spot intervention, which steers the truck back into its lane if the driver attempts to change lanes and a vehicle is in the truck’s blind spot.
SEL Premium
SEL Premium offers the option for a few appealing upgrades inside and out. This model includes projector-type bi-LED headlights, LED in-bed lighting, and most options offered on the SEL trim as standard. All models come with four-pin trailer pre-wiring, though the SEL Premium and Limited are available with seven-pin wiring. The SEL Premium also boasts a more powerful engine. Beneath its hood, you’ll find a 2.5-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that achieves 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It comes with all-wheel drive as standard.
Cabin upgrades include dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and digital key functionality. This advanced feature allows you to use certain mobile devices as a key to start and unlock the truck.
Limited
At the top of the Santa Cruz truck line, the Limited trim has nearly all the options that come standard on all the other trim levels, including exclusive premium LED daytime running lights and larger 20-inch wheels. Its cabin includes ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, and USB ports for rear-seat passengers. A 10.25-inch touch screen, premium Bose audio system, and integrated navigation round out the tech features. The Limited trim also boasts a 360-degree parking system, an advanced lane-keeping system, and adaptive cruise control.
If you’re in the market for a small pickup truck, the Santa Cruz might be the perfect fit. This capable model is easy to navigate, fun to drive, and packed with appealing features. Come to Allen Turner Hyundai to test drive the latest Santa Cruz.
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