Used 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?

Prices have softened 7.12% 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 pool of options to compare on price and equipment.

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. The Santa Cruz is also framed 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 its cramped back seat and the lack of physical buttons for audio and climate control. It also isn’t meant to match traditional pickups on capability, so you should view it as a lifestyle-focused vehicle rather than a work-first truck.

Good and great deals account for 36.1% of listings, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

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

Reviewers describe it as dependable in everyday use, with a comfortable interior and a smooth, trouble-free driving experience that makes it easy to live with over time. The Santa Cruz also benefits from Hyundai’s strong warranty coverage and three years or 36,000 miles of free routine maintenance, which helps reduce early ownership costs.

The overall ownership risk for used buyers is more about condition and prior use than inherent complexity, so a careful inspection and service-history review matter a lot.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 86.9% — 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 hard. Since this model is meant to split the difference between a crossover and a pickup, condition matters as much as mileage.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base SE is the value play, while higher trims add more comfort and convenience equipment. The Limited stands out with leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, the larger touchscreen, and 20-inch wheels, but the lower trims are the ones to watch if you want to avoid paying for extras you may not need.
• Powertrain: You get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. The base engine makes 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged version makes 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft. Front-wheel drive is standard with the base engine, all-wheel drive 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 is 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.
• Fuel efficiency: The base FWD engine 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 trim to target if you want the lowest entry price and the core Santa Cruz experience. It gives you the standard engine, standard infotainment, and the essential safety equipment, so it makes the most sense if value matters most.
• SEL Activity Package: This is the step-up choice if you want a better mix of everyday comfort and features without jumping all the way to the top. It should be the trim to compare closely if you want more equipment but still care about keeping the price in check.
• SEL Premium: This is the pick if you want the most upscale version of the standard trim lineup and are willing to pay for it. It suits you best if convenience and tech matter more than sticking to the lowest possible price.

Higher trims are where you’ll find the extra safety and convenience features, 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, so you can shop selectively without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 36.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,075 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.12% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 86.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,582, 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 $22,582 sits slightly below last year's $24,313.

That decline suggests the Santa Cruz has softened in the used market, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, that means resale value may depend heavily on how well you preserve condition, mileage, and equipment level. Well-kept examples with desirable features should hold up better than neglected ones, especially because shoppers are drawn to this model for its distinctive design and versatility.

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.

Because this model was new, crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA weren’t available in the source material. The main safety caveat is that some of the more advanced driver-assistance features are reserved for higher trims, so you should check carefully which systems are included on the specific used example you’re considering.

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:

• 36.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 86.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.12% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.64/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2022 stands out as Hyundai’s first pickup in the U.S. and a compact, car-like alternative for you if you want something more rugged than a sedan or crossover SUV.

The bottom line: The 2022 is the right pick if you want the Santa Cruz’s distinctive formula and you can find a clean, well-equipped example at a good price. If you’re especially price-sensitive, keep shopping listings closely and focus on accident-free trucks with the features you actually want, since the market still offers enough inventory to be selective.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.