2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz: A Crossover with a small bed pick up!

MotoMan gets an early look at the upcoming 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Not really a pickup truck and not really an SUV, but what is it? That is exactly what MotoMan answers in this early DESIGN & TECH REVIEW of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Along the way, he learns the Hyundai Santa Cruz is a concept car come to life that is based on another Hyundai vehicle . . . and ties some of its history to this very show!


#HyundaiSantaCruz #Hyundai


Subscribe AND CLICK ON NOTIFICATIONS now to experience our adventures in the car world.


- or -


Check out our Hyundai playlist:

Follow us at our socials to get *behind the scenes* video clips, pics and more:



MotoMan. Storyteller of Transport, Travel & Inspired People


Check out our long form interview show, INSIDE THE MOTOMAN STUDIO, where we talk to the key people shaping the car world!


Available NOW on all our streaming platforms as well as a PODCAST!


Subscribe. Rate. Review at:


Download our MotoManTV App!


Apple iTunes/iOS:

Google Play/Android:

Amazon App Store:

[preacherman]

A Korean El Camino, business in the front and a party in the back, i need this in my life.

[kristians]

The best interior of any small pickup truck.

[zachg]

This actually looks pretty decent, the problem is that it will get so much hate from the pickup guys that take their F150 platinum to Walmart to buy groceries.

[rafaelmarinelli]

In Brazil we have the Fiat Toro and in other places like Mexico is called RAM 1000. Is very similar segment, small pick-up with small bed. And here is very a successful "small pick-up" with gas and diesel options.

[isaac]

70% of pick up truck owners don't use the bed, ever! Maybe to haul trash or a new flat screen tv from Wal-Mart on Black Friday but other than that it's used like an SUV so this is the most practical gas sipping, best warranty, low maintenance mini-truck. The interior alone on the top trim rivals most luxury sedans. I want one!

[iamfrankr]

The front grill treatment seems to work better with the slightly muscular proportions of the Santa Cruz, vs the more angular body lines of the Tucson…at least on video.

[Honeybadger_]

I really like the idea of a smaller pickup and think it's long overdue since we had one in the US. If the Santa Cruz's bed can be fitted with a bed extender to stretch it out to at least 5ft. and it can handle come light offroading, then I think this truck would be perfect for my needs.

[brandonminiman]

Hyundai killing it with design lately.

[Tully]

Thumbs up for incorporating the word Shekel in this video.

[kaizen]

3:10, that and the updated Genesis G90, brand new G80/GV80, and brand new GV70. Not to mention Pallasade and Telluride. The Hyundai group just had their hands too full, I think.
Great content as usual! Waiting on your GV70 review!!

[gotflynow]

It's a modern day, 4 seat version of the ole Subaru Brat. That's FANTASTIC! I've wanted one for a LONG time. Just need some rearward facing seats in the back and I'm set.

[IceDree]

10:55 The TFL gang be like hold my beer lol.

Its an interesting vehicle, reminds of that Subaru pickup from about 10-15 years ago.

Excellent work, as always, M.

[lilymae]

Looks like it would be a good replacement for an old Subaru Baja that has seen it's better days.

[RyanGofast]

I honestly LOVE this vehicle. I've been waiting and commenting on it for almost 6 years and I saw the concept reveal live.
I totally agree with your wish list item of having a more robust and focused torque distribution to the rear for offroading. And yes, if I get one, and I will, I will be taking it off-road.
My only wishlist items are an actual gage cluster (which I saw in a fully camouflaged model and likely a base trim...it had two analog gages) and different interior colors. This all black is killing me.
Oh and, an N model please. If it's not going to be meant for off-road, give us a sporty model . I don't care if it's N-line or N. But the platform is there. It's sibling had an N line model (looks sharp) and hyundai/kia have some amazing color options on the inside and out. Just look at the EV6!! BTW, I saw a preproduction model in that yellow/gold the Sonata comes in. Mmmm

[johnmoore]

Thanks for the technical break down of what it shares with other H/K products. The other YT reviews gloss over those important greasy bits. I've heard in sport mode the AWD is a 50/50 split, if so you might get your wish as far as driving experience. The real question (for my use case) is can it tow? I'm mean really tow, for hours in the heat? Personally don't really care about off roading or hauling sheet rock but my experience with SUVs says a bed, even a small one, is more usable since you can hang things out the back and carry odd shaped items. Trying moving an elliptical machine with an SUV... ain't happening. Give me a roof rack for my kayak and I could leave my fishing poles poking thru a mostly closed hard cover for cruising down the highway. All it needs enough off road chops to handle a hard packed sand boat ramp. Mileage has to be better then your typical brick shaped mid-size that is higher up. And of course there is price... H/K normally shines here but make this too expensive and the Ranger eats it alive. Only grip - the lack of buttons on the dash - its all touch screen, too much Tesla here would it kill to have a volume knob? I know just use the steering wheel controls but even the HVAC is all flat = boo!

[babumoshai]

Great design atleast someone is doing something different

[TheMichaelRN]

Wished the interior is a bit rugged and the backseat to fold flat to increase bed capacity. They almost nailed this, just some tweaks to level up the utility.

[coldude]

Looks cool!!! Hopefully it is released in Australia.

[Scotty_in_Ohio]

at 5:23 it looks as though it has the bolt holes for a bed extender "basket" ala Ford Explorer SportTrac - I've not seen that in any of the other shots/reviews yet. They may still have to work the details out and may also be avoiding showing any other accessories so as not to confuse folks when they place their pre-order/reservation (which I did a couple of days ago). I'll be replacing my F-150 with one of these unless I drive this and it's really bad or not small enough to fit in my garage comfortably. I _rarely_ use the full bed of my current truck and when I really need the size of a full bed the 5' bed of most super crew pickups isn't big enough anyhow so I'll use my utility trailer. I'm sure my extended family will say "that's not a truck" and I can deal with the hate - it's not their vehicle - I have to drive it and use it the way that I do. Will I miss the F-150? - most likely but not enough to wish for it back (when the weather is cold and the door latches freeze) or when I fill up that 36 gallon tank or have to park in "truckville" 1/2 mile away from the door to Ikea because people can't park their huge SUV and put a crease in the bed side my truck - but I digress...

[lcfanyc]

This will sell truck-loads. What a cool-looking vehicle.