2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Performance: Engine, Horsepower, Transmission CarBuzz News Features New Cars Used Cars Sell My Car Shopping Tools Car Reviews Car Finder Compare Cars Best Cars Car Dealerships Used Car Reviews Car Advice Home Cars Hyundai 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Performance

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Performance

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2022 Santa Cruz Performance

The Santa Cruz is available with two engines. One is a 2.5-liter four-pot that breathes normally, while the other uses a turbocharger. The naturally-aspirated motor produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, while the turbocharged derivative takes the figures up to 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The base model is currently only available in front-wheel-drive format, while the turbocharged engine can only be coupled to the HTRAC all-wheel-drive system. Hyundai does state that front- and all-wheel-drive derivatives of both are coming soon. Sans turbocharger, the power is sent to the wheels via an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Upgrade to the turbocharged model and Hyundai includes an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters on the inside. Hyundai doesn't make any claims as to how quick the Santa Cruz is to 60, but we expect a 0 to 60 mph figure of under seven seconds for the turbocharged variant. All models come as standard with Trailer Prep Package included. FWD models can tow 3,500 lbs, while AWD models can manage 5,000 lbs. This is where we start to see the difference between the Santa Cruz and the traditional ladder-frame pickup truck. A turbocharged four-pot Ranger with rugged leaf springs at the rear can tow a full 7,500 lbs, but compared to similarly-sized crossovers, the Santa Cruz is strong. The maximum payload of 1,906 lbs (entry-level FWD) is impressive, too.

2022 Santa Cruz Performance Photos

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Engine and Transmission

All models are equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. On the SE and SEL, it's naturally aspirated while the SEL Premium and Limited have a turbocharger strapped on for good measure. The naturally-aspirated engine delivers 191 hp at 6,100 rpm and 181 lb-ft of torque at 4,00 rpm. Once Hyundai adds a turbocharger, these figures increase to 281 hp at 5,800 rpm and 311 lb-ft from an impressively low-down 1,700 rpm. The naturally-aspirated four-pot is mated to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine is bolted to a sportier eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The standard 2.5-liter engine delivers slightly more horsepower and torque than in the Tucson, and we find it unlikely it makes the engine anything more than perfectly adequate in the slightly larger Santa Cruz. Our experience is with the turbocharged version, which is full of pep for commuting and joining freeway traffic safely. The low-down torque is noticeable and welcome, bringing an air of confidence for when the going gets a bit tougher. Matched with the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the drivetrain is crisp and clean in its shifts and has a reliable habit of being in the right gear at the right time.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Performance Specs

Hyundai Santa Cruz TrimsHyundai Santa Cruz EnginesHyundai Santa Cruz HorsepowerHyundai Santa Cruz TransmissionsHyundai Santa Cruz DrivetrainsHyundai Santa Cruz MPG/MPGE SE2.5L Inline-4 Gas191 hp @ 6100 rpm8-Speed AutomaticAWD
FWD23 MPG SEL2.5L Inline-4 Gas191 hp @ 6100 rpm8-Speed AutomaticAWD
FWD23 MPG SEL Premium2.5L Turbo Inline-4 Gas277 hp @ 5800 rpm8-Speed AutomaticAWD22 MPG Limited2.5L Turbo Inline-4 Gas277 hp @ 5800 rpm8-Speed AutomaticAWD22 MPG

2022 Santa Cruz Gas Mileage

According to the EPA, the FWD naturally aspirated models will consume 21/26/23 mpg city/highway/combined. Oddly, the AWD model is more efficient on the highway, with EPA-estimated figures of 21/27/23 mpg. There are currently no consumption figures for the FWD turbo model, but its figures are 19/27/22 mpg in AWD guise. All models are equipped with a 17.7-gallon tank, giving non-turbocharged models an estimated range of 407 miles. The penalty for going the turbocharged route is negligible, as these models can do 389 miles on a full tank. Given the low curb weight, we were expecting the Santa Cruz to be more efficient. Its relatively high consumption will count against it once it goes up against the upcoming Ford Maverick hybrid. Ford estimates its compact hybrid truck will be capable of 40 mpg on the combined cycle.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Fuel Capacity

Hyundai Santa Cruz TrimsSESELSEL PremiumLimited Hyundai Santa Cruz Fuel Economy (Cty/Hwy)21/2621/2619/2719/27 Now Buzzing Electric Vehicles Tesla Cybertruck Spotted With Production-Ready Rear End Crash Watch A Seventh-Gen Toyota Hilux Truck Launch Into The Air After Losing Control Auctions One-Off Plymouth Barracuda Four-Door Is A Muscle Car Unicorn First Drive 2023 Toyota Crown First Drive Review: A Tale Of Two Hybrids Sports Cars 2023 BMW M2 Coming With Optional Center-Lock Wheels Tuning 700-Horsepower 2023 Nissan Z By AMS Performance Hits Nine-Second Quarter Mile

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Trailering

Hyundai Santa Cruz TrimsSESELSEL PremiumLimited Hyundai Santa Cruz Maximum Trailering Capacity3,500 lbs.3,500 lbs.5,000 lbs.5,000 lbs. Engine2.5L Inline-4 Gas2.5L Inline-4 Gas2.5L Turbo Inline-4 Gas2.5L Turbo Inline-4 Gas Transmission8-Speed Automatic8-Speed Automatic8-Speed Automatic8-Speed Automatic LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top