How much does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?

Prices have softened 6.25% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,040 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

If you find a listing below $22,632.02, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz a good car?

Yes — the 4.64/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 8.00/10. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel, Performance, and Technology.

Owners consistently praise the unique design, versatile features, comfortable interior, smooth driving experience, and impressive fuel economy. The Santa Cruz also fits buyers who want something more rugged than a sedan or crossover SUV without moving all the way to a traditional truck.

The main trade-offs are the cramped back seat and the lack of physical buttons for audio and climate control. It also makes sense most for you if you value compact size, everyday usability, and a distinctive alternative to a conventional pickup.

Only 32.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the best examples may take some comparison shopping.

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

Owners rate it 4.64/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for the Santa Cruz’s comfort, versatility, and overall usability. The expert evaluation also highlights Hyundai’s strong warranty coverage and three years or 36,000 miles of free routine maintenance, which helps reduce early ownership costs.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about basic durability and more about choosing a well-kept example that hasn’t been used harder than its compact size suggests.

What should I look for when buying a used 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 86% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize an inspection of the back seat, cabin controls, and any signs of heavy use, since the Santa Cruz’s packaging and feature set matter a lot in daily driving. It also makes sense to confirm that the truck’s equipment matches the way you plan to use it, especially if you want more than basic commuting duty.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base SE trim is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add features such as the larger touchscreen, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and 20-inch wheels. The standard safety setup is strong, but blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist, a surround-view camera system, and Highway Driving Assist are reserved for higher trims.
• Powertrain: You get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The base engine makes 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged version makes 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft. The naturally aspirated engine can be paired with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the turbo engine is all-wheel drive only.
• Safety package: Hyundai includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-follow assist, rear-seat reminder, and a driver-attention monitor as standard equipment. Higher trims add blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist, a surround-view camera system, and Highway Driving Assist.
• Infotainment: The standard 8-inch touchscreen includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims can add a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Blue Link telematics also brings smartwatch and Google Assistant connectivity.
• Fuel efficiency: The base front-wheel-drive engine is rated at 23 mpg combined, 21 mpg city, and 26 mpg highway. With all-wheel drive, highway mileage rises by 1 mpg. The turbo all-wheel-drive version is rated at 22 mpg combined, 19 mpg city, and 27 mpg highway.

Which 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz trim should I buy?

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is offered in 3 trim levels: SE, SEL Activity Package, and SEL Premium.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The SE is the value entry point, but it lacks the upgraded tech and comfort features found higher up the range. You also miss out on the more advanced driver-assistance features that are reserved for upper trims.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SEL Activity Package is the best middle-ground choice if you want more everyday convenience without jumping all the way to the top model. It gives you a better balance of equipment and price than the base trim.
• Premium/top trim: The SEL Premium is the most appealing choice if you want the richer cabin and tech experience, including the larger touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. It also aligns best with the Limited test vehicle’s more upscale feel.
• Off-road trim: The Santa Cruz can be fitted with 18-inch wheels and all-wheel drive, but the setup lacks low range, locking differentials, and underbody protection, so it is not the best choice if you expect serious off-road use.

Higher trims are also where you get the more complete safety package, including blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist, a surround-view camera system, and Highway Driving Assist.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

The market looks moderate for selective buyers, with enough inventory to compare examples but not so much that every listing is a bargain.

• Deal availability: 32.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,040 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.25% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 86.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,632.02, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz's resale value?

The current average of $23,089 sits slightly below last year's $24,629.

That price movement suggests the Santa Cruz has become a bit more accessible for used buyers, which can help keep demand steady if you decide to sell later. A softer market today may also mean you need to price your vehicle competitively when it is time to move on. Even so, the model’s distinctive positioning and broad appeal to buyers who want truck-like utility without a traditional pickup can support future interest.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.64/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz safe?

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Hyundai includes standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-follow assist, rear-seat reminder, and a driver-attention monitor. Higher trims add blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist, a surround-view camera system, and Highway Driving Assist.

The main safety caveat is that the more advanced driver-assistance features are not standard across the lineup, so you need to shop carefully if you want the fullest suite of protection and convenience tech.

Should I buy a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2022 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2022 if:

• 32.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 86% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.25% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.64/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The first-year Santa Cruz stands out as a compact, unibody pickup alternative with standard advanced safety features and a strong warranty.

The bottom line: If you want the Santa Cruz’s distinctive formula, the 2022 model year is a compelling place to start because it combines strong owner satisfaction, a softer price trend, and broad availability. If you are especially price-sensitive, keep shopping listings closely and focus on the best-equipped examples that still land near the lower end of the market range.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.