Used 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?

Prices have softened 7.66% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,074 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz a good car?

Yes — you’re looking at a 4.6/5 user-rated model with an expert rating of 8/10. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel, Performance, and Technology.

Owners consistently praise the unique design, versatile features, comfortable interior, and smooth driving experience. The Santa Cruz also stands out as a compact, car-like alternative for you if you want something more rugged than a sedan or crossover SUV without moving to a conventional truck.

The main trade-offs are the cramped back seat and the lack of physical buttons for audio and climate control. Even so, the Santa Cruz’s distinctive packaging and strong warranty make it appealing if you value everyday usability and a fresh take on pickup ownership.

With 33.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

Owners rate it 4.6/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owners also describe it as comfortable, smooth, and versatile, with language that points to a dependable ownership experience. The expert review adds that Hyundai’s warranty is one of the best in the business, and it includes three years or 36,000 miles of free routine maintenance.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure the truck has been cared for properly, especially if you plan to keep it for years and use it like a small utility vehicle.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 85.6% — 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 a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on interior wear, electronics, and any signs the truck has been used harder than its size suggests. Since this model is meant to be a car-like alternative to a conventional pickup, condition matters as much as mileage.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base SE trim has a more basic setup, while higher trims add features such as the larger touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and 20-inch wheels. If you want the best mix of equipment and value, the higher midrange trims are the ones to compare most closely.
• 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 optional turbocharged version makes 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard on the base engine, with all-wheel drive available; 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. 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 setup is an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims can add a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics service.
• Fuel efficiency: The base engine with front-wheel drive is rated at 23 mpg combined, 21 mpg city, and 26 mpg highway. The AWD 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 it gives you the core Santa Cruz experience with the standard engine, standard safety tech, and the 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model, but it is the least equipped version.
• SEL Activity Package: This trim adds more everyday convenience and is the one to focus on if you want a better balance of features and value. It sits in the middle of the lineup and is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it moves you beyond the bare essentials without pushing you all the way to the top.
• SEL Premium: This is the most appealing choice if you want the richer tech and comfort upgrades, including the larger touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. It is the trim to target if you want the Santa Cruz to feel more upscale and easier to live with day to day.

Higher trims also unlock more of the available safety package, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist, the surround-view camera system, and Highway Driving Assist.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,074 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.66% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 85.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,333, 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 $22,333 sits slightly below last year's $24,185.

That price movement suggests the Santa Cruz has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help you if you buy now and hold the truck for a few years. If demand stays steady, a lower entry price can make it easier to recover a reasonable share of your purchase cost later.

The model’s distinctive positioning also helps it stand out in the used market, which can support buyer interest when you eventually sell. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.6/5, 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.

Because this model was new, crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available in the source material. The expert review also notes that Highway Driving Assist can help with highway driving, but it has trouble handling even gentle curves.

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:

• 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 85.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.66% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Expert or safety highlight specific to this year: it was Hyundai’s first pickup in the United States and was positioned as a distinctive, car-like “sport adventure vehicle.”

The bottom line: The 2022 Santa Cruz makes the most sense if you want a used compact pickup with a unique design, strong owner satisfaction, and a lower average price than last year. If you’re especially price-sensitive, keep shopping for the best deal within this model year rather than stretching for a newer one unless the equipment or condition clearly justifies it.

How does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz compare to the 2022 Ford Maverick?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz:

• Pros: Fun to drive, Standard advanced safety features, Great warranty.
• Cons: Cramped back seat, Lacking physical buttons for audio and climate control.

2022 Ford Maverick:

• Pros: Great ride quality, Excellent value for money, Standard hybrid powertrain.
• Cons: Older infotainment system.

Our experts score the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz 8/10 and the 2022 Ford Maverick 8.2/10. The Santa Cruz leans more toward style, driving enjoyment, and warranty coverage, while the Maverick emphasizes value and efficiency. If you want the more distinctive and fun-to-drive option, the Santa Cruz has the edge; if you want the stronger value proposition and standard hybrid setup, the Maverick is the better fit.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.