How much does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?

Prices have softened 6.46% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,075 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $22,634.69, 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 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz earns a 4.64/5 user rating and an 8/10 expert rating. 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. Those strengths line up well with the Santa Cruz’s role as a compact, more rugged alternative to a sedan or crossover SUV.

The trade-offs are clear: the back seat is cramped, and some shoppers may miss physical buttons for audio and climate control. The Santa Cruz is best if you want something easier to park than a traditional truck but still want pickup-style utility and a distinctive personality.

With 28.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a decent chance of finding a competitive price if you shop carefully.

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable in everyday use, with praise for its comfortable cabin, smooth driving experience, and versatile features. That kind of repeat-positive feedback usually matters most when you want a used vehicle you can count on over time.

Hyundai’s 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and three years or 36,000 miles of free routine maintenance also help reduce early ownership stress. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure prior use and condition haven’t worn down the truck’s value proposition.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 86.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if it looks clean on paper. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the cabin controls, rear-seat usability, and overall wear, since those are the kinds of areas where condition can matter most on a used example. Focus on whether the truck has the equipment and condition that match how you plan to use it.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base SE is the starting point, while higher trims add more comfort and convenience equipment. The cabin is described as more conventional than the exterior, and the lack of physical buttons for audio and climate control is a notable drawback to check if you prefer simpler controls.
• Powertrain: You get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The naturally aspirated version makes 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged version makes 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. FWD is standard on the base engine, AWD is optional, and the turbo engine is AWD only.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-follow assist, rear-seat reminder, and a driver-attention monitor. 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 available on higher trim levels.
• Infotainment: The standard setup uses an 8-inch touchscreen with 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, plus Blue Link telematics and smartwatch and Google Assistant connectivity.
• Fuel efficiency: EPA ratings are 23 mpg combined, 21 mpg city, and 26 mpg highway with the base engine and FWD; AWD adds 1 mpg highway. The AWD-only turbo engine 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:

• SE: This is the entry point and the best fit if you want the lowest starting price and the core Santa Cruz experience. It gives you the standard engine, standard safety tech, and the 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• SEL Activity Package: This is the trim to focus on if you want a better balance of equipment and value. It adds more convenience and capability than the base model without jumping all the way to the top of the range.
• SEL Premium: This is the choice if you want a more upscale daily driver with more comfort and tech. It suits you best if you care about a richer feature set and are willing to pay more for it.

Safety equipment expands on higher trims, so if you want features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, surround-view camera support, or Highway Driving Assist, you’ll need to shop above the base model.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 28.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,075 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.46% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 86.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,634.69, 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 $22,965 sits slightly below last year's $24,550.

That kind of price movement suggests the Santa Cruz has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if the market stabilizes. If you buy at the right price and keep the truck in strong condition, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss later. The model’s distinctive positioning and strong owner satisfaction should help keep demand from disappearing.

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.

A key caveat is that official crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of testing. That means you should lean more heavily on the standard safety equipment and the trim you choose when comparing used examples.

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:

• 28.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 86.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.46% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.64/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2022 stands out as Hyundai’s first U.S. pickup and a compact, unibody alternative to a traditional truck, with standard advanced safety features and a great warranty.

The bottom line: If you want the Santa Cruz’s unique mix of compact size, car-like driving manners, and truck-style utility, the 2022 is the right place to start. If you’re especially price-sensitive, keep an eye on listings near the low end of the range and compare condition carefully, since the best-value examples will usually be the ones that combine strong equipment with clean history and a competitive asking price.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.