2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz SEL Premium

Truck shoppers have had two broad categories to choose from in recent years: midsize trucks and full-size trucks. But the 2022 model year is different because now there's now a third alternative: compact trucks. And one of two new pioneers for this class is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. If you don't want all of the full-blown capability and expense of a midsize or full-size truck, the new Santa Cruz is worth checking out.There are some differences between the Santa Cruz and other traditional trucks. For starters, it's 10-15 inches shorter than most midsize rivals. It also uses unibody construction rather than the traditional body-on-frame pickup underpinnings. What does that mean? Well, underneath, it shares a basic platform with the redesigned 2022 Hyundai Tucson small crossover SUV. This car-like construction results in a more comfortable ride than a traditional truck's body-on-frame construction would. It's also more nimble around turns.The Santa Cruz does have lower overall towing, hauling and off-roading capabilities than traditional trucks, but for a lot of people the Santa Cruz could still be enough. For example, max towing is between 3,500 and 5,000 pounds, which is pretty strong and suitable for small boats or two-wheel trailers. It also has some cool features such as an underfloor cargo bed storage bin and an available retractable cargo bed cover.Overall, we like how the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz combines the comfort of a small SUV with most of the utility of a pickup. -Edmund's Expert Review